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Three glasses of gin & tonic
Three glasses of gin & tonic
Photo by Jonathan Borba from Unsplash
TCNJ | Life

8 Holiday Drinks (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic) Going Viral on Social Media

alexa malaby Student Contributor, The College of New Jersey
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCNJ chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The holidays are officially here, which means my entire For You Page has turned into a chaotic mix of gift guides, winter vlogs, & drinks so wonderful they could cure any seasonal depression. So, here are eight holiday drinks – four alcoholic, four non-alcoholic- currently taking over social media. And of course, one of them is a peppermint Espresso Martini you never knew you needed. 

Festive Cocktails

  1. Cranberry Champagne Sparkler

This drink is perfect for hosting Pinterest-worthy holiday parties, even if those parties are in a dorm. Just mix cranberry juice with champagne (the cheapest champagne works!), add a handful of fresh or dried cranberries, & finish off with a sprig of rosemary for some holiday vibes & extra flavor. 

  1. The Grinch Vodka Punch

If you’ve seen the neon green punch all over the party side of TikTok, here it is. Combine lemon-lime soda, pineapple juice, vodka, & green Hawaiian Punch. Toss in some gummy hearts, “two sizes too small”, & enjoy your delicious green punch!

The measurements with this drink aren’t too important. I recommend using ¼  the amount of vodka to juice, but feel free to use more to spice up the night! 

  1. Sugar Cookie White Russian

If sugar cookie-flavored everything has taken over your feed, welcome to the club. TikTok has been turning the classic White Russian drink into the coziest holiday treat using vodka, Kahlua, & sugar cookie creamer. Combine everything in a shaker with ice, shake it up, pour, & enjoy your cozy treat for the night!

  1. Peppermint Espresso Martini 

This drink has a chokehold on social media right now. It’s minty, sweet, & can be customized exactly to your liking. Here’s the lineup: Peppermint Chobani Creamer, Kahlua, cold brew, espresso, & Peppermint Smirnoff. 

Shake 1.5oz Smirnoff, 0.5oz Kahlua, 1oz creamer, 1oz espresso, & 2oz cold brew with ice, drizzle some chocolate syrup in a glass, pour & enjoy. (A tip: add more creamer to add sweetness, & StoK brand makes an espresso cold brew coffee you can use in place of the espresso+cold brew combo).

Non-Alcoholic Sips

These drinks are perfect for those cozy nights spent inside, watching movies, & baking cookies. 

  1. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

This is the perfect drink to sip on while building gingerbread houses with your friends, & possibly the drink of December. Stir gingerbread syrup into your favorite hot chocolate, top with whipped cream, & add a tiny gingerbread cookie for good looks. 

Taking a sip of this drink immediately brings back the nostalgia of the holidays. 

  1. Pink Peppermint Milkshake 

If Barbie were a barista, this would be her specialty. Blend peppermint ice cream, just a splash of milk, & crushed candy canes. Your result? A pink milkshake that’s both delicious & adorable, which is currently dominating Instagram. 

  1. Carmel Apple Refresher

This drink is so good, I’d think it came right from the Starbucks menu. Mix cold apple cider with a healthy amount of caramel syrup, add a dash of apple flavor, & shake with ice. Pour this sweet drink into a glass, & garnish with some sliced apples. 

  1. Frozen Hot Chocolate 

Does frozen HOT chocolate make sense? Nope. But is it amazing? Absolutely, & it’s so simple. Blend ice, milk, & hot chocolate mix until it’s frosty, but be careful not to blend too long, as it will melt the ice! Top this creation with whipped cream & chocolate sauce for the dramatic effect the season calls for.

Holiday drinks are the easiest way to feel cozy & ready for the holiday season without buying a single decoration. Whether you’re shaking a peppermint martini or sipping a candy cane milkshake while binge-watching holiday movies, these drinks keep the season fun & the mood light.

alexa malaby

TCNJ '27

Hi! I’m Alexa, a Psychology major with a Criminology minor at The College of New Jersey. I’ve always been fascinated by how people think and why they behave the way they do, especially when it comes to kids and teens. My ultimate goal is to work in a juvenile detention center on the psychological rehabilitation side. I want to be someone who helps young people through tough times, giving them the support and resources they need to make better choices and move forward with their lives.

Outside of class, I’m a total crime show addict—I love diving into stories that explore the “why” behind people’s actions. I balance that out with plenty of laughs from rewatching The Office. Another huge part of my life is horses. I grew up riding and still take care of them today, which has taught me patience, responsibility, and how important it is to carve out time for the things that bring you peace.

On top of that, I’ve spent my whole life in the restaurant industry thanks to my family’s business. Working there gave me a strong work ethic and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. All of these experiences—psychology, criminology, horses, crime shows, and restaurants—shape my perspective, and I’m so excited to share that with the Her Campus community!