While most traditional holiday cocktails are made using wine or rum, there’s no rule that says you can’t add beer to your festivities!

Here are a few traditional holiday cocktails you can prepare using beer.

Spicy Chocolate Stout

The holiday season goes hand in hand with chocolate-y flavors. With the spicy chocolate stout, you can enjoy a delicious beer cocktail with chocolate notes.

Take a bottle of stout or an imperial stout with chocolate notes. Add a few ounces of brandy to it along with a splash of sugar syrup. Mix the ingredients together and garnish the drink with some grated dark chocolate or cinnamon.

Maple Bourbon

The Maple Bourbon is another holiday favorite. While it’s best enjoyed chilled on ice, it gives you just the warmth you need during the winter season as you spend time with your loved ones. The cocktail is pretty simple to make and uses just a handful of ingredients.

Combine beer, bourbon, coffee, and maple syrup and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until the flavors come together. The sweetness of the maple syrup balances the tartness of bourbon nicely, while the beer base gives it a warm and toasty texture. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different local lagers until you find one that you like the best.

Wassail

No Christmas is complete without Wassail! This cocktail recipe has been around for a long time and is often distributed amongst carolers to share the holiday spirit.

You can easily prepare this hearty holiday punch at home. Start by taking some brown ale and adding a few ounces of sherry, sliced apples, orange peel, and lemon zest to it. Next, add cardamom and cinnamon to the mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes. Now, add some brown sugar, stir to dissolve, and garnish the drink with freshly grated nutmeg for an extra kick.

The Flip

Flips are amongst the oldest holiday beverages and were once used as tonics for seasonal ailments. They’re also popular Christmas cocktails, comprising beer, spices, fruits, and eggs.

The best way to prepare a flip is by using some strong, maltier beer. Add a dash of your choice of spices (we suggest cinnamon and allspice), some freshly grated lemon zest and ginger, and a couple of teaspoons of persimmon pulp. Next, heat the mixture in the microwave or on the stove, blending the components together nicely—your holiday flip is ready to be served!

Find the perfect beers for your cocktails by checking out our detailed craft beer reviews. You can also browse our website to shop for interesting craft beer accessories.