Hosting a Christmas party doesn’t have to mean overspending on fancy cocktails or specialty beverages.
With the right ingredients and a bit of creativity, you can serve festive, crowd-pleasing drinks that taste amazing — all while staying on budget.
Below are affordable Christmas party drink ideas that are simple to make, delicious, and perfect for entertaining a large group without breaking the bank.
1. Christmas Cranberry Punch
A holiday classic that’s inexpensive, refreshing, and stunning in a large punch bowl.
You’ll Need:
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Cranberry juice
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Lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
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Orange slices
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Fresh cranberries
How to Make:
Mix equal parts cranberry juice and soda in a large bowl. Add sliced oranges and cranberries on top for a festive touch.
2. Budget-Friendly Mulled Apple Cider
Warm, cozy, and perfect for cold December nights.
You’ll Need:
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Store-bought apple cider
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Cinnamon sticks
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Whole cloves
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Orange peel
How to Make:
Simmer cider with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel for 20 minutes. Serve hot in mugs.
3. Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail
Elegant but extremely affordable—no alcohol needed.
You’ll Need:
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Pomegranate juice
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Sparkling water
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Lemon slices
How to Make:
Fill a glass halfway with pomegranate juice and top with sparkling water. Add a lemon slice for color.
4. Classic Christmas Hot Chocolate
Always a crowd favorite, especially for families.
You’ll Need:
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Milk
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Cocoa powder
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Sugar
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Marshmallows
How to Make:
Heat milk, whisk in cocoa and sugar, then top with marshmallows.
5. Ginger Citrus Party Punch
Bright and refreshing for large gatherings.
You’ll Need:
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Orange juice
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Pineapple juice
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Ginger ale
How to Make:
Combine all ingredients in a big jug. Chill before serving for best flavor.
6. Simple Holiday Sangria (Alcoholic)
Delicious and cost-effective for adult parties.
You’ll Need:
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Inexpensive red wine
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Orange juice
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Apple slices
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Lemon slices
How to Make:
Mix wine with orange juice. Add sliced fruit and chill for a few hours.
7. Christmas Candy Cane Milkshakes
Fun for kids and adults, made with cheap ingredients.
You’ll Need:
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Vanilla ice cream
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Milk
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Peppermint extract
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Crushed candy cane
How to Make:
Blend ice cream, milk, and peppermint. Top with crushed candy cane.
8. Affordable Eggnog Punch
A creamy twist that feeds a crowd.
You’ll Need:
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Store-bought eggnog
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Cinnamon
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Ice
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Whipped cream (optional)
How to Make:
Pour eggnog over ice, sprinkle with cinnamon, and top with whipped cream if desired.
9. Fizzy Holiday Berry Soda
Sweet, fizzy, and extremely inexpensive.
You’ll Need:
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Berry drink mix or berry juice
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Soda water
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Frozen berries
How to Make:
Combine berry juice with soda water. Add frozen berries to chill and decorate.
10. Warm Cinnamon Maple Tea
Perfect for a cozy, budget-friendly winter drink.
You’ll Need:
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Black tea
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Maple syrup
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Cinnamon stick
How to Make:
Steep tea, stir in a little maple syrup, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
11. Peppermint Lemonade Spritz
Refreshing and ultra-affordable.
You’ll Need:
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Lemonade
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Peppermint extract
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Sparkling water
How to Make:
Add one drop of peppermint extract to lemonade. Top with sparkling water.
12. Holiday Apple Ginger Spritzer
Simple ingredients, big flavor.
You’ll Need:
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Apple juice
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Ginger ale
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Apple slices
How to Make:
Fill glasses with apple juice and top with ginger ale. Add apple slices.
13. Cheap & Easy Mimosa Mocktail
Perfect for brunch-style holiday parties.
You’ll Need:
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Orange juice
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Sparkling water
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Fresh berries (optional)
How to Make:
Mix equal parts orange juice and sparkling water. Add berries if desired.
14. Cinnamon Cranberry Cooler
Festive, bright, and wintery.
You’ll Need:
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Cranberry drink mix or juice
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Cinnamon
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Ice
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Lemon slice
How to Make:
Shake cranberry juice with a pinch of cinnamon. Serve over ice with a lemon slice.
15. Christmas Party Water Station (Budget Hack!)
A super affordable option that looks elegant.
You’ll Need:
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Ice water
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Lemon slices
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Orange slices
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Mint leaves
How to Set Up:
Add sliced fruit and mint to a large dispenser. Guests stay refreshed, and you save money.
