By Cherry Pop Events – Weddings & Events with Sass & Class

Baby, it’s cold outside… but your holiday bar cart is about to heat up. Nothing says “I’ve got my life together” quite like greeting your guests with a signature drink the moment they walk in. It’s festive, it’s fabulous, and frankly—it’s the easiest way to make your event look instantly intentional without lifting more than a bar spoon.

If you’ve ever wondered how party pros make every gathering feel a little extra? Doll, the secret is in the signature cocktail. And today, I’m gifting you a whole menu of retro-inspired sips guaranteed to keep spirits bright—plus mocktail versions, printable recipe cards, and a quick lesson on why these beauties elevate any event.

Let’s shake, stir, and sparkle our way through the holidays.

🎄 Why Signature Drinks Are the Secret Weapon of Great Hosts

Sure, you could throw bottles on the counter and call it a day—but darling, you’re better than that. A signature drink:

Sets the tone instantly. Festive drink = festive mood.
Keeps your bar organized. No chaotic mix-and-match orders.
Saves you money. You pre-plan ingredients instead of overstocking.
Wows your guests. It feels curated… because it is.
Photographs beautifully. That social-media shine? Chef’s kiss.

Whether you’re hosting a corporate holiday mixer, a cozy cocktail night, or your annual “Jingle & Mingle,” signature sips add the kind of polish your guests will rave about straight through New Year’s.

🍸 7 Holiday-Ready Cocktails (and Their Mocktail Twins)

Each recipe below is easy, fast, and friendly for batching. Retro-approved, seasonally iconic, and utterly charming—just like you.

1. The Mistletoe Martini

A crisp, cranberry-forward cocktail that tastes like a flirty wink across a holiday party.

Ingredients:

Vodka
Cranberry juice
Lime juice
Simple syrup
Fresh cranberries + a rosemary sprig

Mocktail Version: Swap vodka for sparkling water or non-alcoholic botanical spirit.

Serve In: Martini glass with a sugared rim for drama.

2. Gingerbread Old Fashioned

Warm, spiced, and a little rebellious—your grandpa’s favorite drink but sweeter and sassier.

Ingredients:

Bourbon
Gingerbread syrup
Orange bitters
Orange peel + cinnamon stick

Mocktail Version: Use non-alcoholic whiskey alternative or strong cold-brew tea.

Serve In: Rocks glass with an orange twist.

3. Frostbite Fizz (Teal Signature Cocktail)

A nod to Cherry Pop Events’ signature teal—festive, fresh, and fabulous.

Ingredients:

Gin
Blue Curaçao
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
Splash of prosecco

Mocktail Version: Use non-alcoholic blue citrus syrup + sparkling lemonade.

Serve In: Champagne coupe with edible glitter (trust me).

4. Sugar Plum Spritz

Light, bubbly, and fruity—a dream for guests who want something whimsical.

Ingredients:

Vodka
Plum nectar or puree
Lemon juice
Honey syrup
Sparkling wine

Mocktail Version: Top with sparkling grape juice or soda water.

Serve In: Wine glass with a sugared plum slice.

5. Fireside Cocoa Martini

Dessert in a glass, but make it grown-up and glamorous.

Ingredients:

Vanilla vodka
Chocolate liqueur
Hot cocoa (cooled)
Whipped cream + crushed peppermint

Mocktail Version: Make a chocolate mocktini with cocoa, vanilla extract, and cream.

Serve In: Martini glass with a cocoa rim.

6. Holly Jolly Sangria

A batch-friendly, crowd-pleasing classic with a holiday twist.

Ingredients:

Red wine
Brandy
Apple cider
Orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon

Mocktail Version: Use cranberry juice + apple cider + orange slices.

Serve In: Pitcher or punch bowl—bonus points for floating cranberries.

7. Cherry Pop Punch (CPE Signature!)

A retro-inspired, fruit-forward punch worthy of any holiday soirée.

Ingredients:

Rum
Cherry juice
Pineapple juice
Lime juice
Ginger ale

Mocktail Version: Same ingredients, just skip the rum.

Serve In: Big punch bowl with maraschino cherries (obviously).

🎅 Holiday Signature Drink Recipe Card Download

Download your copy of the Holiday Signature Drink Recipes GRATIS HERE! Mama ain’t no gate keeper!

Includes: Mistletoe Martini, Gingerbread Old Fashioned, Frostbite Fizz, Sugar Plum Spritz, Fireside Cocoa Martini, Holly Jolly Sangria, Cherry Pop Punch
Bonus: Mocktail swaps for all

Print Size: 4×6

✨ Want to Elevate Your Event Even More?

Signature cocktails are just the beginning. When you bring Cherry Pop Events to your party planning team, you get:

Custom drink menus tailored to your theme
Retro-styled bar setups
Professional timelines and vendor coordination
Holiday event design that turns any space into a winter wonderland

Planning a holiday soirée? A corporate party? A cozy cocktail night?
Let Cherry Pop Events run the show while you sip something fabulous.

👉 Book your day-of or full-service coordination now at cherrypop.events.

🎙 Don’t Forget the Drinks… or the Dish: Listen to The Pin-Up Planner

If you love a good signature cocktail and a little no-nonsense wedding and event wisdom, you’ll swoon for my podcast, The Pin-Up Planner: No BS, Just Brilliance.

Every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m., I’m serving up bold, honest, behind-the-scenes advice on weddings, parties, budgets, guest drama, and of course—how to keep things classy while you shake things up.

➡️ Tune in here: The Pin-Up Planner Podcast or search “The Pin-Up Planner” wherever you get your podcasts.

Pop in an earbud, pour yourself a little Cocktails & Cheer, and let’s plan the kind of events that make your guests say, “Who planned this—and can I hire them?”