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+49 176 329 796 82

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Julia Trotzki

Published on

Nov 7, 2025

Last updated on

Nov 7, 2025, 10:00 AM

Recipes

Hot Cocktails & Mulled Wine Alternatives: Winter Drinks for Your Christmas Party

If Christmas parties should taste better

Honestly:
How many times have you held mulled wine at a Christmas party and thought – can it be different?
Too sweet, too sticky, too boring.

By 2025, that will be over.
The trend is moving away from sugary excess and towards Hot Cocktails & mulled wine alternatives,
that not only warm you up but truly excite you.
Flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, orange, and rum meet craftsmanship, style, and creativity –
and suddenly a simple cup becomes an experience.

Whether at home with friends or as a team at the Christmas party – it’s time to give the classic a run for its money.
Because warm drinks can be elegant, strong, and festive – without the usual punch character.

In this article, you will find out,
🔥 which hot cocktails are trending now,
🎅 how to present your drinks festively with simple tricks,
🥂 and why many companies this year prefer to shake rather than stir with a mulled wine spoon.

And if you prefer mixing together instead of just reading – our Bad Santa courses, Cocktail & food pairings, or Escape events show,
how every Christmas party can become a moment of enjoyment with real character.

Because good drinks tell stories – and the best ones don’t start at the Christmas market.

When Christmas parties are allowed to taste more

Why Hot Cocktails & Alternatives to Glühwein Are Trending Now

Glühwein was long the undisputed star of winter – but times are changing.
While Christmas markets are the same year after year, many are looking for new taste experiences:
less sugar, more depth, less mass, more class.

Bars around the world have discovered winter for themselves – with hot drinks that taste like small works of art.
Instead of carelessly heated wine, now flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, rum, cocoa, tangerine or marzipan come into play.
The result: cocktails that warm, smell, and impress – without slipping into the territory of children's punch.

A hot cocktail is not a compromise between tea and alcohol, but an invitation:
A drink that creates an atmosphere without weighing you down.
A moment of enjoyment that makes you crave more from the very first scent.

And this is exactly where the difference lies from the classics:

Real ingredients: Fresh fruits, spices, high-quality spirits.
Variety of flavors: From spicy-strong to creamy-smooth.
Experience factor: Flambéing, layering, refining – drinks become a show.

In our courses, this is demonstrated every year anew:
As soon as rum meets cinnamon or tangerines merge with marzipan,
you can feel that winter drinks can be more than hot liquid in a cup – they are small stages for taste and creativity.

Whether in the Bad Santa Course, at Cocktail & Foodpairing or as the highlight of the company party – hot cocktails bring winter to the table,
without kitsch, without punch, but with a lot of soul.

5 Ideas for Festive Drinks with Wow Effect (with Recipes & Non-Alcoholic Variants)

Christmas can sparkle – even in the glass.
These five drinks bring exactly that: warmth, flavor, and a bit of magic.
They are modern, festive, and perfect if you want more than just mulled wine this year.
And the best part: Each of these drinks also works non-alcoholic, without compromising the flavor.

🍊 1. Hot Orange Rum Toddy – Sunshine in a Winter Glass

A drink that tastes like a cozy evening by the fireplace and vacation.
Fresh orange, honey, and cinnamon meet warm flavors and instantly bring Christmas spirit to the glass.

Ingredients:

5 cl brown rum
10 cl freshly squeezed orange juice
1 cl honey or sugar syrup
1 cinnamon stick
1 slice of orange

Preparation:
Warm the orange juice in a pot, add honey and cinnamon stick.
Stir in the rum (do not boil).
Pour into a heatproof glass and garnish with an orange slice.

Non-Alcoholic Variant:
Replace rum with 2 cl apple juice + 1 cl lemon juice – it creates a fresh balance.

🍫 2. Chocolate Mint Martini – Creamy, Festive, Irresistible

A dessert in a glass that tastes like winter scents and cozy nights by the fireplace – chocolatey, minty, elegant.

Ingredients:

4 cl vodka
2 cl cacao liqueur
1 cl peppermint syrup
2 cl cream (lightly whipped)

Preparation:
Shake vodka, cacao liqueur, and peppermint syrup vigorously with ice, strain into a pre-chilled martini glass.
Gently pour the lightly whipped cream over a spoon onto the drink, so that a creamy layer forms.

Garnish: Grated chocolate or a toasted marshmallow on a stick.

Non-Alcoholic Variant:
Instead of vodka & liqueur – 4 cl cocoa milk + 1 cl peppermint syrup + 1 cl sugar syrup; otherwise prepare identically.

🥥 3. Marzipan Margarita – Classic with a Festive Twist

The summer drink in Christmas attire – sweet, nutty, and surprisingly elegant.

Ingredients:

4 cl Tequila Blanco
2 cl orange liqueur
2 cl lime juice
1 cl almond liqueur or marzipan syrup

Preparation:
Shake all ingredients with ice, double strain and serve in a coupe glass.
Serve with a cinnamon sugar rim or a coconut rim.

Non-Alcoholic Variant:
Replace tequila + liqueur with 6 cl of mandarin or orange juice; add a bit of lime for freshness.

☕ 4. Espresso Martini Christmas Edition – Strong, Spicy, Unforgettable

The favorite drink of many – now with a Christmas twist.

Ingredients:

4 cl vodka
2 cl coffee liqueur
2 cl espresso (fresh, cooled)
1 cl cinnamon-vanilla syrup

Preparation:
Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, strain finely, and pour into a pre-chilled martini glass.
Garnish with three coffee beans.

Non-Alcoholic Variant:
Replace vodka + liqueur with 5 cl strong coffee + 1 cl chocolate syrup – tastes like tiramisu in a glass.

🍹 5. Winter Mule with Mandarin & Cinnamon – Fresh Meets Festive

Light, spicy, and refreshing at the same time – perfect for long evenings and festive occasions.

Ingredients:

5 cl vodka or gin
2 cl mandarin juice
1 cl cinnamon syrup
8 cl ginger beer

Preparation:
Stir everything directly in the copper mug over ice, top up with ginger beer.
Garnish with mandarin zest and a sprig of thyme.

Non-Alcoholic Variant:
Simply omit the spirit and slightly increase the juice content – e.g., 4 cl mandarin + 1 cl lemon for more freshness.

💡 Tip:
At events or parties, it's not just about the ingredients – but about presentation & atmosphere.
In the next chapter, you'll learn how to make drinks eye-catching with small details – whether privately or at a corporate event.

Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Presentation

Christmas drinks taste twice as good when they look festive even after Christmas.
With a few simple tricks, you can turn any cocktail into a highlight – whether at family nights or at the company party.
Here are creative ideas and professional tricks to make you competitive with bartenders:

🔥 1. Flambéed Marshmallow – sweet, smoky, spectacular

A real eye-catcher for creamy drinks like the Chocolate Mint Martini or Hot Chocolate Rum.
Simply put a marshmallow on a skewer and caramelize briefly over a flame until golden brown.
It brings sweetness, aroma, and show – all without effort.

🍏 2. Caramelized Apple Slice – Aroma of the Winter Market

A classic that turns any glass into an experience:
Coat a thin apple slice in sugar, drizzle it with a splash of high-proof rum, and carefully flambé.
Let it cool briefly and place it as decoration on the drink – perfect with Hot Apple Punch or Orange Rum Toddy.

🥥 3. Coconut Rim or Cinnamon Sugar Rim – Festive Look in Seconds

Dip the rim of the glass in some liqueur or juice and then into coconut flakes or cinnamon sugar.
Ideal for Marzipan Margarita or Espresso Martini Christmas Edition.
The effect: instantly festive, instantly "wow".

🎄 4. Serve Drink in a Christmas Ornament – Trend with Wow Guarantee

Carefully open clear, fillable Christmas ornaments (available online), fill with drink, and serve over ice or place as table decor.
A trend from London bars that sparks conversation everywhere.
Tip: Works wonderfully with the Winter Mule or a Mandarin Spritz.

🍬 5. Candy Cane as Decoration or Stirrer

The simplest trick for Christmas mood:
Hang a small candy cane in the glass – it dissolves slightly and adds a fine sweetness to the drink.
Works for almost any drink, especially nice with the Espresso Martini Christmas Edition.

🥥 6. Raffaello as Drink Topping – Elegant and Festive

A Raffaello on a skewer or cocktail stick makes an immediate impression –
creamy, white, wintry. Perfect for light drinks like Chocolate Mint Martini or White Christmas Margarita.
Small tip: Dust with a touch of coconut or powdered sugar – for a snow effect in the glass.

🍊 7. Winter Flavors Redefined – Classics Served Hot

Even summer drinks can be winter drinks: with the same ingredients, but reinterpreted.
This creates entirely new experiences from classics.

🔥 Hot Aperol – the Winter Classic 2.0

The Aperol Spritz gets an update: warm, spicy, and perfect for cold evenings.

Ingredients:

6 cl Aperol
6 cl cloudy apple juice
3 cl orange juice
1 cl sugar syrup or honey
1 slice of orange & cinnamon stick

Preparation:
Gently heat all ingredients (except for decoration) in a small pot – do not boil!
Pour into a heat-resistant glass and garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.

💡 Tip: For a bit of sparkle, add 2 cl Prosecco after heating.

🍹 Hot Sarti Spritz – Robust, Fruity, Festive

The more robust brother of Aperol shows what he can do in winter:
Blood orange, cinnamon, and thyme make it a flavorful highlight.

Ingredients:

5 cl Sarti
8 cl blood orange juice
1 cl cinnamon syrup
1 sprig of fresh thyme

Preparation:
Heat all ingredients, pour into a glass, and garnish with a sprig of thyme.
Optional: a splash of lemon juice for more freshness.

💡 Tip: Especially nice served in a pre-warmed glass with cinnamon smoke – creates aroma & show effect.

💡 Pro Tip:
Even without a bartender setup, you can play with scents, light, and warmth:
Pre-warming the glasses, burning cinnamon sticks or aromatic herbs create instant atmosphere.

And for those who prefer to experience live how show and taste merge,
can try just that in our Bad Santa Courses, Cocktail & Food Pairings or winter courses –
where small tricks create great memories.

Christmas Party with Flavor: Experiences that Last

Christmas is more than a date on the calendar – it’s what stays.
A laugh, a scent, a drink, a moment that feels somehow different from the rest of the year.
And that’s exactly what it’s about: Celebrations that connect.

Many are looking for something special during this time – an experience that appeals to everyone.
Something that replaces the typical mulled wine evening without feeling stiff.
Something that is fun, but has style.

This is where our winter formats come into play.

🎅 Bad Santa Cocktail Course – When Santa Mixes

A course that has it all: show, taste, and really good vibes.
Bad Santa welcomes with a welcome drink, guides through four festive cocktails, and provides laughs,
without it getting awkward.
In between, there are small snacks, good music, and a lot of team spirit –
perfect for company parties that want to be different, but unforgettable.

🍸 Classic Cocktail Course – Teamwork with Shaker & Style

Three hours, four cocktails, many flavors – and in the end, more than just good drinks.
Here you mix, laugh, and taste together.
A course that connects people and shows how much fun craftsmanship can be.
If you prefer it shorter, you can choose the 2-hour version – or combine it with the Escape Game.

🕵️‍♂️ Cocktail Escape Game – Puzzling, Mixing, Enjoying

Perfect for teams who love action: solve puzzles together, discover clues,
and enjoy two drinks in the meantime – including a welcome cocktail.
In the end, one person wins a small prize – but everyone takes the same away: fun and shared memories.

🥂 Cocktail & Food Pairing – Enjoyment on All Levels

Here culinary arts meet bar craftsmanship.
You mix yourself under guidance, tailored to each course, perfectly coordinated to flavors and mood.
A format for everyone who wants to celebrate enjoyment – calm, high quality, and with a lot of flavor.

💡 And the best part:
All formats are also available with non-alcoholic options –
because good drinks don’t need a percentage, but personality.

Whether mobile at the company or directly with us –
every Christmas party gets what it deserves:
Flavor, atmosphere, and a little magic in the glass.