Fun Festive Drinks for Christmas and New Year’s!

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with loved ones, indulge in festive foods, and raise a glass to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, enjoying a cosy evening at home, or toasting to the year ahead, sparkling water cocktails are a fun and refreshing way to elevate your drink menu. With their light, fizzy base, sparkling water cocktails are versatile and pair perfectly with holiday dishes, keeping things festive without the heaviness of sugary mixers! 

By using an at-home sparkling water machine this Christmas, you’re also cutting down costs and reducing your plastic waste, meaning you can have fun making as many cocktails and mocktails as you want throughout the festive season!

Here are our favourite holiday drink recipes to get you excited for the Christmas period. Let’s start with our non-alcoholic favourites...

Holiday Spiced Sparkler 

If you’re looking for a festive mocktail, the Holiday Spiced Sparkler is a warming, non-alcoholic option that combines the flavours of apple, cinnamon, and cloves with the refreshing fizz of sparkling water. It’s perfect for kids, non-drinkers, or anyone looking for a lighter option during the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 cup sparkling water
• Apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. Warm the apple cider with the cinnamon and cloves in a small saucepan.
2. Pour the spiced cider into a glass.
3. Top with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
4. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!

This mocktail is warming and festive, perfect for cold winter evenings. The combination of cinnamon and apple is classic for Christmas, while the sparkling water adds a light and refreshing touch.

Peppermint Sparkling Hot Chocolate 

For a fun, fizzy twist on a winter classic, try this Peppermint Sparkling Hot Chocolate. The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint is perfect for Christmas, while the sparkling water adds a unique, bubbly texture.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hot chocolate (made with your preferred milk)
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup sparkling water
• Whipped cream and crushed candy canes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare hot chocolate as usual and stir in the peppermint extract.
2. Top with sparkling water for a light, fizzy twist.
3. Garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

This indulgent, non-alcoholic drink is perfect for holiday movie nights or as a dessert alternative after Christmas dinner. The peppermint adds a festive touch, while the sparkling water lightens the richness of the hot chocolate.

Sparkling Cranberry Mojito 

This festive twist on the classic mojito is perfect for Christmas gatherings. The tartness of fresh cranberries paired with the refreshing mint and lime makes this cocktail both visually stunning and deliciously refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz white rum
• 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 lime, cut into wedges
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fresh mint leaves
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the fresh cranberries, lime wedges, sugar, and mint leaves.
2. Add ice and pour in the rum.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a sprig of mint and extra cranberries for a festive touch.
5. Serve and enjoy!

The red cranberries and green mint make this mojito a festive choice for Christmas, while the light, refreshing flavours pair perfectly with heavy holiday dishes like roast meats and stuffing.

Pomegranate Gin Fizz 

Pomegranates are in season during the winter months, making them a perfect addition to your holiday cocktail menu. This Pomegranate Gin Fizz combines the tartness of pomegranate juice with the crispness of gin and the light fizz of sparkling water for a festive and elegant drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• Sparkling water
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine the gin, pomegranate juice, and lime juice.
2. Add ice and top with sparkling water.
3. Stir gently and garnish with pomegranate seeds and a lime slice.
4. Serve chilled.

The vibrant red colour of the pomegranate juice makes this cocktail stand out at any Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. Its crisp, refreshing taste pairs well with festive appetisers or as a palate cleanser between courses.

Sparkling Clementine Martini 

Clementines are synonymous with the festive season, and this Sparkling Clementine Martini brings their sweet, citrusy flavour into a sophisticated cocktail. This drink is perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations, offering a bright, bubbly alternative to traditional champagne.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz clementine juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 oz triple sec or orange liqueur
• Sparkling water
• Clementine slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine vodka, clementine juice, and triple sec with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.
3. Top with sparkling water for a fizzy finish.
4. Garnish with a clementine slice.
5. Serve and toast to the New Year!

This light, citrusy cocktail is a refreshing alternative to heavier drinks, making it perfect for New Year’s Eve parties. The clementine’s sweetness pairs beautifully with vodka, creating a bright, festive drink.

Christmas Sangria 

Sangria isn’t just for summer! This festive Christmas Sangria is packed with winter fruits like oranges, apples, and cranberries, and gets a sparkling twist from the addition of sparkling water. It’s perfect for holiday parties and pairs wonderfully with Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bottle red wine
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup sparkling water
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large jug, combine the red wine, brandy, and orange juice.
2. Add the sliced orange, chopped apple, cranberries, and cinnamon stick.
3. Stir gently and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavours combine.
4. Just before serving, top with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
5. Garnish with extra fruit and serve chilled.

The warming spices and rich flavours of this sangria make it a perfect complement to Christmas roasts and desserts. The sparkling water lightens the drink, making it refreshing and festive for holiday gatherings.

Add Sparkle to Your Holiday Celebrations

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas with family or ringing in the New Year with friends, these sparkling water recipes are sure to add a festive touch to your holiday gatherings. From light, refreshing mocktails to creative cocktails, sparkling water is the perfect base to create drinks that are both fun and versatile.

With a CO2 YOU gas refill subscription, you can easily make sparkling water at home, ensuring that you’re always ready to whip up a festive drink at a moment’s notice. Plus, with the convenience of having refills delivered straight to your door, you can focus on enjoying the holiday season without worrying about running out of bubbles. 

Save on plastic this festive season and opt for a sparkling water machine.