Watching Christmas movies and specials with friends and family is one of our favorite holiday activities. These movies have touched our hearts, taught us light lessons, and helped us believe in the magic of the season. When you sit down to watch your favorites this year, make it a holly jolly experience with 11 cocktail recipes inspired by the films and tv programs, including warming beverages and odes to your favorite characters. You can even get the kids involved with simple non-alcoholic options that are fun for the whole family.

11 Cocktails Inspired by Christmas Movies

Buddy’s Breakfast (Elf)

Streaming on HBO Max and various days on Freeform

Unlike Buddy’s “unusual” breakfast in Elf, you won’t find spaghetti in our Buddy’s Breakfast cocktail. But since Santa’s helpers really do have a culinary passion for maple syrup, what you will find is a lovely sense of elf culture in what we think is the world’s best cup of… rum and coke. Pure maple syrup and a touch of vanilla take the otherwise basic cocktail to another level.

Melted Snowman (Frosty the Snowman)

Airing on NBC on Dec. 4 at 8:30 p.m ET and Dec. 9 at 8:00 p.m, during Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas, and streaming on Hulu, Peacock, and Disney+

Frosty the Snowman warms the hearts of viewers everywhere, just as the sun melts Frosty towards the end of the movie. It’s a traditional animated holiday film and chances are you’ve seen it play on the television since you were little. Bring your own little Frosty right into your home with the Melted Snowman cocktail. The detailed, edible touches make this drink come to life.

Clarence’s Mulled Wine (It’s A Wonderful Life)

Airing on E! all day Nov. 27 and on NBC Dec. 24 at 8:00 p.m, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Xumo Play, and PLEX

Our version of Clarence’s Mulled Wine is just as the guardian angel in It’s a Wonderful Life ordered, “heavy on the cinnamon and light on the cloves.” You may not earn your wings, but you definitely feel a little lighter while sipping on this mulled wine.

Mean and Green (How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)

Watch the 2000 movie on Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas, watch the 1966 movie on E!, USA, SYFY, and NBC, or watch both back-to-back on NBC Christmas day at 8:00 p.m, you can stream the original on Peacock or the live-action on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video

Mean and green. Grumpy and greedy. Sour as a pickle. He’s a mean one, that Mr. Grinch. He’s also painfully relatable for those of us who have a grumpy person we’re trying to lure into the spirit of the season. Our Mean and Green cocktail is here to help. Brighten that grinchy someone’s day with this unexpected, delightfully delicious drink.

Rudolph’s Red-Nose Punch (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

Airing on NBC on Dec. 5 at 8:00 p.m, Dec. 11 at 8:00 p.m, and during Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose! Now it can be the sippable centerpiece of your holiday. Rudolph’s Red-Nose Punch takes the winter cranberry flavor you love and turns it into a deliciously cute cocktail for all party guests. It’s also easy to make this a non-alcoholic drink by leaving out the vodka and using a pump of raspberry syrup instead.

Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate (The Polar Express)

Airing on TBS Nov. 27 and 28, TNT Nov. 28 and 29, and AMC all through December, streaming on Hulu, and HBO Max

When it comes to Christmas special inspired cocktails, “Yo we got it!” Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate is a must for your viewing of The Polar Express. We take hot seriously in this recipe, but not so serious that your mouth can’t handle the heat. This fun drink gives you a warmth in temperature, as well as a little heat on the palate.

Happy Christmas Boozy Root Beer Float (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

Streaming on Apple TV, streaming for free on Apple TV+ this year on Dec. 13, and Dec. 14

When you’re scrolling through listings of annual holiday specials to watch, surely this classic favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas will come to mind. Set aside time to stream this seasonal favorite with our Happy Christmas Boozy Root Beer Float, inspired by the time-honored cartoon, in hand. It’s a wintry spin on a spiked float with a hint of minty flavor. Modify the recipe for the kids by eliminating the alcohol and adding 2 tsp of 1883 Maison Routin Peppermint Syrup.

Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

Airing on TNT in November and AMC in December, streaming on Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+

Cousin Eddie, with his rusty trailer and his goofy love for his family, stands out in this comedy. His jokes and his grin have inspired a goofy drink that only he would make. We call it Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel. Give a trial run to this sort-of-fancy (by Eddie’s standards, at least) “Beer-garita” that uses margarita ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.

Ginger Snap Cocktail (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town)

Airing Nov. 30 on ABC and throughout Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas, streaming on Peacock and Hulu

The classic Christmas special Santa Claus Is Coming to Town portrays Kris Kringle as a ginger. His memorably red mop of hair inspired us to create this Ginger Snap Cocktail, a brew that warms you with its temperature as well as its delicious blend of spices. If the little ones want to join in, match a batch without the rum. It’s perfectly lovely without the spirits.

Stroopwafel Flip (Miracle on 34th Street)

Airing on fetv Nov. 27 and 28, FMC Nov. 28 and 29, and on Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas, streaming on Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video

This Dutch-influenced quaff came to us because of the Sinterklaasje song Kris Kringle chants to a little Dutch girl early on in Miracle on 34th Street. This holiday classic makes our watch list every year, perhaps because of its heartwarming message that reminds us, goodness exists in the world if you simply…believe.

Red Ryder Punch (A Christmas Story)

Airing on TNT Dec. 3, throughout Dec. 24 and 25 on TBS and TNT, and streaming on HBO Max and Hulu

Red Ryder Punch is a gin based cocktail with the flavor of tangy-tart hibiscus, and a hint of blueberry sweetness. Inspired by Ralphie’s iconic “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock, and this thing that tells time,” from A Christmas Story, it is a refreshing cocktail that packs a nice punch of flavor.

Story by Kylie Thomas

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Unlike Buddy’s Breakfast made in Elf, you won’t find spaghetti in our Buddy’s Breakfast Elf cocktail. But since Santa’s helpers really do have a culinary passion for maple syrup, what you will find is our affinity for elf culture in what we think is world’s best cup of… rum and coke. Pure maple syrup and a touch of vanilla take the otherwise basic cocktail to another level. Maybe even a level beyond the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops. Maybe it’s best to forgo Buddy’s Breakfast until cocktail hour arrives, but if you want to warm up some spaghetti with your coffee, you’ll have a true Elf day.

Buddy’s Breakfast, Inspired by Elf

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For a little extra treat, try our Martha Stewart-Inspired Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies with your cocktail.

Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla
Story by Star Laliberte

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Red Ryder Punch is a gin based cocktail with the flavor of tangy-tart hibiscus, and a hint of blueberry sweetness. Inspired by Ralphie’s iconic “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time,” from A Christmas Story, it is a refreshing cocktail that packs a nice punch of flavor. If you drink it without a straw, there’s thankfully little risk of shooting your eye out.

What Makes This Punch Red?

One of the things that gives this cocktail its color might surprising you. This punch isn’t red from any artificial flavoring. Instead, we’ve used over-steeped Reishi Blueberry Hibiscus tea to get a bright, festive shade of scarlet in your glass. Plus, that tea is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients to balance out the booze.

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Recipe by Justin Matase
Styling by Star Laliberte
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Frosty the Snowman melts the hearts of viewers everywhere, just as the sun melts Frosty towards the end of the movie. It’s a traditional animated holiday film and chances are you’ve seen it annually on the television since you were little. Bring your own little Frosty right into your home with the Melted Snowman cocktail. The detailed, edible touches make this drink come to life. Just add a black top hat and you might just bring your own snowman to life. 

About Frosty the Snowman 

Frosty the Snowman is a classic Christmas movie. But a lot of people might not know that it originates from a Christmas song written by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys. The 1969 film has now become a Christmas staple because of its heartwarming story about a snowman afraid of melting and the children who help him go to the North Pole to keep him cold. But this cocktail will keep you warm through any winter night!

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Make some Gluten-Free Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies for a tasty movie snack.

Recipe by Kylie Thomas
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Mean and green. Grumpy and greedy. Sour as a pickle. He’s a mean one, that Mr. Grinch. So mean, that he very memorably stole Christmas back in 1966. He’s also painfully relatable for those of us who have a grumpy person we’re trying to lure into the spirit of the season.

Our Mean and Green cocktail is here to help. Brighten a grumpy someone’s day with this unexpected, delightfully delicious Grinch cocktail inspired by the classic film.

What Makes this Grinch Cocktail Green?

Very little sweetness here, just pickle brine, lemon juice, and honey to get that Grinchiest green. Unless we’re quite mistaken, we saw Cindy Lou Who (by now pushing sixty) propped up at a local bar, sipping nostalgically on a green drink, muttering about the one who got away. Was her bright green beverage a Mean and Green? She looked a bit pickled, so we’re pretty sure it was.

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Because we all need a movie snack to with our Grinch cocktail, try these Fennel and Coriander Cashews.

Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Our version of Clarence’s Mulled Wine is just as the guardian angel in It’s a Wonderful Life ordered it: “heavy on the cinnamon and light on the cloves.” You may not earn your wings by drinking a glass, but you definitely feel a little lighter while sipping on this mulled wine.

Consider making our Salty Snack Mix Recipe so that you have something crisp to nibble during your wintery cocktail hour. Sit down and re-watch It’s a Wonderful Life this year. Its story of human decency and the healthy interconnection of friends and neighbors inspires us to be generous in the way we live our lives.

What Is the History of Mulled Wine

Mulled wine’s coziness has enchanted people since the days of ancient Rome. The concept of heating and spicing wine goes back to the Romans, who would warm wine with spices to make it more palatable, especially during cold weather. This practice likely spread throughout Europe as the Roman Empire expanded. By the 16th century, mulled wine, known in England as “wassail,” became a staple during Christmas and New Year celebrations. It was often associated with toasting and social gatherings. In Germany, it evolved into “Glühwein,” typically made with red wine and served at Christmas markets, and has remained a holiday tradition.

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Recipe and Styling by Star Laliberte
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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When it comes to a Christmas special inspired hot chocolate cocktail, “Yo we got it!” Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate is a must for your viewing of The Polar Express. We take hot seriously in this recipe, but not so serious that your mouth can’t handle the heat. This fun drink gives you a warmth in temperature, as well as a little heat on the palate.

Why is This Hot Chocolate Cocktail “Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot”? 

The double dose will warm your soul while you sing along with one of Tom Hanks’s seven character voices as the conductor, including the song “Hot Chocolate” that he sings in the film. It’s hot, hot, hot! You can also make this hot chocolate cocktail a mocktail by omitting the tequila, and you’ll still have a delicious hot chocolate.

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Also great to sip while watching one of many versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Read our story on Dickens with this Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe here.

Recipe by Lindel Hart, adapted from Punch Drink
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose! Now it can be the sippable centerpiece of your holiday celebration. 

Rudolph’s Red-Nose Punch highlights the the winter cranberry flavor you love. The, it turns it into a deliciously cute cocktail for all party guests. It’s also easy to make this a non-alcoholic drink. Just leave out the raspberry vodka and using a pump of raspberry syrup instead. Gather ’round the television with the family to watch this wonderful holiday classic over a glass of sparkly punch.

Where Does Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Come From?

The story of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” originated in a children’s book from 1939. It’s a tale about being proud to stand out from the crowd and finding your own hidden talent, like Rudolph’s red nose. Other reindeers initially mock him for it, but in the end, he saves the day. Gene Autry’s 1948 song about Rudolph warmed so many hearts that then the classic television film based on it came out of that in 1964. The addition of original songs like “The Island of Misfit Toys” were part of what made the film such memorable holiday staple!

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Back up a batch of Chai Snickerdoodles for a perfect movie snack accompaniment.

Recipe by Kylie Thomas
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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When you’re scrolling through listings of annual holiday specials to watch, surely the classic favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas will come to mind. Remember when Charlie Brown confessed to Lucy that he just didn’t feel right about Christmas? The beloved character was feeling depressed about what the season had turned into. Before you find yourself feeling the same way, set aside time to stream this seasonal favorite with our Happy Christmas Boozy Root Beer Float, inspired by the time-honored cartoon, in hand. It’s a wintry spin on a spiked float with a hint of minty flavor.

Modifications for Your Boozy Root Beer Float

If you want, you can modify the recipe for kids or non-drinkers in your life by eliminating the alcohol and adding a 2 tsp of 1883 Maison Routin Peppermint Syrup. If you’re not a fan of Grey Goose, some other liquors you can try are bourbon and rum, which fortify the flavor of the root beer. Kahlua or other coffee liqueur can also pair nicely with root beer. 

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If you’re in the market for root beer mugs, try these.

Recipe, Styling and Story by Star Laliberte
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a beloved holiday movie for its quirky cast of characters. One who truly stands out is Cousin Eddie with his rusty trailer and his goofy love for his family. His jokes and his grin have inspired a goofy drink that only he would make. We call it Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel. Give a trial run to this sort-of-fancy (by Eddie’s standards, at least) “Beer-garita” that uses margarita ingredients you probably have in your kitchen and produces a whole lot of family fun for the holidays.

Cousin Eddie’s Trailer Fuel Recipe

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Try adding our Ultimate Beer Cheese and Easy Honey Mustard for a complete movie snacking experience.

Recipe by Kylie Thomas
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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