14 Cocktails and Mocktails to Enjoy While You're Up Late Wrapping Presents

Mix up one of these 14 boozy or booze-free cocktails to sip while you deck the halls and make the season merry and bright.

By
Elana Lepkowski
Elana Lepowski
Elana Lepkowski
Elana Lepkowski has an extensive background in the gourmet and celebrity food industries. She has been writing for for various media outlets since 2006.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated December 12, 2024
Cocktails and Mocktails to Enjoy While You're Up Late Wrapping Presents

Simply Recipes

In my dreams, my house has an entire room just for wrapping presents. There is a special cutting device for getting the wrapping paper straight and not ripping it. Bows are sorted by color and size.

For someone who was always the designated present wrapper in the family, this is what I fantasize about, but without a fancy room to keep everything in, the kitchen table remains my trusty stand-in. A solid drink in hand makes wrapping a pile of presents even more enjoyable.

If you’ve got a night of wrapping presents ahead of you, take a look at our recommendations for tasty cocktails and zero-proof beverages. The perfect drink awaits!

Robin Shreeves joins Elana Lepkowski in compiling this list.

  • Spiced Mulled Wine

    spiced mulled wine recipe for christmas
    Nancy Mitchell

    If mulled wine is not on the menu, it’s not a holiday party. And keeping a batch in the fridge means that you can warm yourself up a cup anytime you like. Inhale that sweet and spicy aroma while warming your hands with a cup for an instant gift-wrapping party tonight. EL

  • Espresso Martini

    Side view of an Espresso Martini Drink on a marble background.
    Lori Rice

    You want a cocktail, but you’ve also got presents to wrap for all those family members coming by tomorrow and it’s past your bedtime. A little caffeine in that drink could help! An espresso martini, made with coffee liqueur and espresso, will keep you alert through all those bows. EL

  • Fall-Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Holiday Spiced Old Fashioned Drink
    Nancy Mitchell

    The name might say fall, but you can enjoy this spiced sipper all winter long. For when you need a strong but seasonal twist on a classic cocktail, try this. It also pairs well with those cookies you’ve left out. EL

  • Non-Alcoholic Negroni (NAgroni)

    Overhead view of two Negronis with non alcoholic gin, bar nuts and an orange wedge.
    Sam Schick

    A Negroni cocktail is my go-to all-season drink, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find a glass near my wrapping station, but if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative that is pretty close to the boozy original, this is a must try! This bittersweet and slightly citrusy n/a drink has a few more ingredients than the classic, but the mix is still easy to stir together and strikes the perfect balance of flavors. And don’t forget the drink’s own decorative bow, the orange zest! EL

    Continue to 5 of 14 below

  • Hot Mulled Cider

    Hot Mulled Cider
    Elise Bauer

    Put a pot of mulled cider on the stove in the evening and you can keep your cup warm as you top it off all night. Hot Mulled Cider works both on its own, or with the addition of alcohol like spiced rum or brandy. And, if you’re looking for a little something sweet on the side, a few brownie bites are the perfect fuel for wrapping all those presents. EL

  • Hot Chocolate

    hot chocolate

    Sally Vargas

    For those times when you just want a rich cup of hot chocolate, do yourself a favor and get out the good chocolate and make yourself this cup. I especially love it with a touch of cinnamon. Not into, or can’t do, dairy? This paleo version is equally rich and creamy. EL

  • Boozy Hot Chocolate

    Boozy Hot Chocolate Topped with Whipped Cream and in the Background, a Bowl of Marshmallows and Creme Liqueur

    Simply Recipes / Elana Lepkowski

    Here's another spin on hot chocolate—one for the grownups. Made with real melted chocolate, it gets a kick from bourbon, rum, or your favorite cream liqueur. SB

  • Chamomile-Honey Hot Toddy

    Chamomile Hot Toddy
    Garrett McCord

    Done for the night? Ease into rest with a comforting chamomile-honey hot toddy. The warm infusion of chamomile tea, whiskey, lemon, and honey will whisk you off to sleep in no time. EL

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  • Traditional Eggnog

    Two gold-rimmed glasses of eggnog cocktail.

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    This easy eggnog contains just cream, milk, sugar, eggs, and spices plus your choice of rum or bourbon if you choose to add spirits at all. It's delicious with or without the booze, the choice is yours. RS

  • Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog)

    Two Glasses of Coquito

    This traditional Puerto Rican holiday punch has a base of sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, evaporated milk, and coconut milk. It's similar to traditional eggnog, although it contains no egg. Add rum and spices, heat, chill, and serve. RS

  • Pomegranate Paloma

    Pomegranate Lime Juice cocktail

    This cocktail just looks like the holidays, doesn't it? Pomegranate juice gives its ruby red color, tequila gives it its kick, a rim of salt is a big snow-like, and a sprig of rosemary gives it the seasonal hue of green. RS

  • Apple Cider Hot Toddy

    apple cider hot toddy in a wine glass
    Nancy Mitchell

    The hot toddy isn't just for when you're feeling under the weather, although this is the drink you'll want if you do have the sniffles while wrapping. It's the perfect cocktail for when you want to warm up at any time. If you leave the bourbon out, it's a delicious Not Toddy that's similar to a spiced hot cider. RS

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  • Brandy Alexander Cocktail

    two glasses of brandy alexander cocktail with sprinkle of nutmeg
    Nancy Mitchell

    Brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream combine to make this thick, creamy, slightly chocolatey cocktail. Use a 1:1:1 ratio of ingredients, or if you have a really good brandy, double the amount in the drink. RS

  • Pear Ginger Shrub

    pear ginger shrub mocktail in rocks glasses garnished with pear slices
    Elana Lepkowski

    Juicy pears, spicy, warming ginger, sugar, and tart apple cider vinegar combine to make a shrub. Refrigerate the shrub for 10 days before using, then mix it with club soda, seltzer, or tonic water to create a tasty drink. RS

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