20 Holiday Drinks for Kids to Enjoy

These holiday drinks for kids skip the alcohol and the fuss, giving you 20 ways to fill little mugs and cups with genuine festive cheer. Each recipe leans on pantry staples, milk, juice, fizzy soda, and comes together in under 15 minutes, so you can pour a round between present-wrapping and tree-trimming. Expect a mix of hot, iced, and blended options, all chosen for real kid appeal rather than just a pretty photo. Every recipe below gives exact amounts in millilitres and grams so results are consistent whether you're serving two children or twenty.

This is chilled hot chocolate reinvented for warmer gatherings: brew a batch of cocoa, cool it fully, then pour over 150 g (1 cup) of ice with a splash of crushed candy cane syrup. Swap whole milk for chilled oat or almond milk if you want a lighter finish that still tastes rich. The key trick is chilling the cocoa base in the fridge for at least 1 hour before pouring, otherwise the ice melts too fast and waters down the flavour. Finish with a candy cane stirrer instead of a spoon so kids can sip and swizzle at once.

This is the drink every other variation on this list borrows from: whole milk warmed gently with real cocoa powder and melted chocolate chips for a glossy, spoon-coating finish. The swap that matters most is using semisweet chocolate chips alongside cocoa powder rather than cocoa alone, which gives the drink body instead of a thin, powdery texture. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer, around 70°C (160°F), so the milk never scalds or forms a skin. A handful of mini marshmallows melted on top is the detail kids remember most.

Modelled on the coffee-shop steamed milk drinks kids order when they want to feel grown-up, this version swaps espresso for 15 ml (1 tbsp) of gingerbread syrup stirred into steamed milk. Warm 240 ml (1 cup) of milk until frothy using a milk frother or a whisked saucepan, then stir in the syrup along with a pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon. The trick to a true copycat texture is frothing the milk to soft, small bubbles rather than large foam, which keeps it drinkable for smaller mouths. Dust the top with a little extra cinnamon for the classic bakery look.

This turns store-bought or homemade eggnog into a thick, spoonable milkshake by blending 240 ml (1 cup) of chilled eggnog with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream until smooth. If you're using homemade eggnog, make it with pasteurised eggs or cook the base to 71°C (160°F) before chilling, since raw eggs carry a salmonella risk that isn't safe to serve to kids; store-bought eggnog is already pasteurised. A pinch of nutmeg blended in rather than sprinkled on top spreads the warm spice flavour through every sip instead of just the first one. If the eggnog is very rich, thin it with a splash of milk before blending so the finished shake pours rather than needing a spoon. Serve immediately, since the ice cream base softens quickly at room temperature.

Combine 180 ml (3/4 cup) of chilled cranberry juice with 120 ml (1/2 cup) of ginger ale over ice for a fizzy, tart drink that cuts through all the rich cocoa on this list. The ratio matters here, too much ginger ale and the cranberry flavour disappears, so keep it closer to 60% juice and 40% fizz. Add a few frozen cranberries instead of ice cubes so the drink stays cold without diluting as it sits. This is the pick for kids who find hot chocolate too sweet and want something bright instead.

Simmer 1 litre (4 cups) of apple cider or unfiltered apple juice with a cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves, and a strip of orange peel for 10-12 minutes over low heat, just below a simmer. Strain out the whole spices before serving so nothing hard ends up in a child's cup. Taste before pouring, apple juice varies a lot in sweetness, so add up to 15 ml (1 tbsp) of maple syrup if it needs a lift. Serve warm in mugs with a fresh cinnamon stick for stirring.

Warm 240 ml (1 cup) of milk with 15 ml (1 tbsp) of vanilla syrup and a crushed candy cane stirred in until it starts to dissolve, about 2-3 minutes over low heat. The crushed candy cane both sweetens and flavours the milk as it melts, so there's no need for extra sugar. Strain out any larger candy shards before serving to little ones so the drink is smooth to sip. Top with whipped cream and a fresh candy cane for a drink that looks as festive as it tastes.

Blend 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream with 120 ml (1/2 cup) of milk and 1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) of peppermint extract until thick and smooth, about 30-45 seconds on high. Peppermint extract is concentrated, so start with a small amount and taste, too much turns the drink medicinal rather than festive. Fold a few crushed candy cane pieces in at the end rather than blending them fully, so the shake keeps flecks of red and white throughout. This one holds up well in a thermos for a car ride to see the lights.

Mix 1 litre (4 cups) of white grape juice with 500 ml (2 cups) of lemon-lime soda and 250 ml (1 cup) of vanilla ice cream scooped straight into the bowl, no blending required. This is the fastest drink on the list, just combine and serve, making it the one to make when you're short on time before a party. The ice cream slowly melts into a soft, fizzy foam on top, which is part of the appeal for kids. Keep the soda cold and add it last so the punch stays as fizzy as possible when served.

Blend 240 ml (1 cup) of milk, 1 frozen banana, 15 ml (1 tbsp) of molasses, and 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) of ground ginger and cinnamon until completely smooth, about 1 minute. The frozen banana does double duty, thickening the smoothie and adding natural sweetness so you don't need extra sugar. This is the most nutrient-dense drink on the list and works well as a quick breakfast during the busy holiday run-up. Add a few ice cubes before blending if you want a thicker, milkshake-like texture.

Warm 1 litre (4 cups) of purple grape juice with a cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, and a few slices of orange over low heat for 8-10 minutes, keeping it well below a boil. This is a kid-safe take on mulled wine, using the same warming spices without any alcohol, so it still fills the kitchen with that classic festive smell. Strain before serving and let it cool for a minute or two, since grape juice retains heat longer than water-based drinks. Serve in small mugs so it stays warm through the whole cup.

Combine 1 litre (4 cups) of fruit punch with 500 ml (2 cups) of lemon-lime soda and float scoops of rainbow sherbet on top just before serving. The sherbet slowly dissolves into swirls of colour, which makes this the most visually exciting drink on the list for younger children. Use a wide punch bowl rather than a jug so the colour swirl is visible and the sherbet has room to melt evenly. Add the soda last and pour it gently down the side of the bowl to keep as much fizz as possible.

Layer 120 ml (1/2 cup) of green apple juice on the bottom of a clear glass, then slowly pour 120 ml (1/2 cup) of lemon-lime soda over the back of a spoon so it floats on top rather than mixing straight away. The trick to a clean layered look is pouring slowly into a chilled glass, which slows the two liquids from blending together too fast. Drop a few blueberries in the bottom before adding the juice for a 'heart of the Grinch' touch that kids love spotting. Give it a quick stir just before drinking to release the fizz.

Drop one hot cocoa bomb into a mug and pour over 240 ml (1 cup) of hot milk, heated to about 70°C (160°F), then watch the chocolate shell crack open and release marshmallows and cocoa powder. Pouring the milk in a slow, steady stream over the top of the bomb helps it melt evenly instead of cracking on just one side. This is the drink with the biggest 'wow' factor for a table of kids, since the melting is basically a mini show. Stir gently once the shell has fully dissolved to blend everything into a smooth cocoa.

Warm 240 ml (1 cup) of milk with 60 ml (1/4 cup) of chai concentrate and stir over low heat for 2-3 minutes until hot but not boiling. Using a chai concentrate rather than loose spices keeps this recipe quick and gives a smooth, evenly spiced flavour with no need to strain. Add 5 ml (1 tsp) of honey or maple syrup if your chai concentrate isn't already sweetened. This is a gentler, less sweet option for kids who prefer something closer to a warm milk drink than a dessert.

Combine 150 ml (2/3 cup) of chilled cranberry juice with 90 ml (1/3 cup) of fresh orange juice and top with 120 ml (1/2 cup) of sparkling water over ice. Fresh orange juice makes a real difference here, bottled juice tends to taste flat once diluted with sparkling water. Add a few orange slices and fresh or frozen cranberries to the glass for a drink that looks as good in photos as it does on the table. This one holds its fizz best if the sparkling water is poured in right before serving.

Combine 1 litre (4 cups) of cranberry juice, 500 ml (2 cups) of orange juice, and 500 ml (2 cups) of ginger ale in a large punch bowl, stirring gently to combine. This three-juice ratio is the one most classic holiday punches are built on, balancing tart, sweet, and fizzy in roughly equal measure. Freeze some of the punch in a bundt pan with cranberries and orange slices ahead of time to make a decorative ice ring that keeps the punch cold without watering it down. Serve in a large bowl with a ladle so kids can help themselves.

Fill a glass with ice, pour in 180 ml (3/4 cup) of lemon-lime soda, then add 30 ml (2 tbsp) of grenadine and stir gently so it swirls through rather than sinking flat to the bottom. Adding the grenadine last, after the soda, is what gives this drink its signature sunset gradient look as it settles. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange for the full classic presentation. This is the most requested drink on the list for kids who've seen adults order something fancy and want their own version.

Warm 480 ml (2 cups) of milk over low heat and whisk in 85 g (1/2 cup) of chopped white chocolate until fully melted and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. White chocolate scorches faster than dark chocolate, so keep the heat low and whisk constantly rather than letting it sit. A drop of peppermint or vanilla extract added at the end rounds out the flavour, since white chocolate alone can taste one-note and very sweet. Top with whipped cream and a few white chocolate shavings for a drink that matches any all-white winter table setting.

Stir 5 ml (1 tsp) of peppermint extract and 30 ml (2 tbsp) of simple syrup into 500 ml (2 cups) of chilled lemonade, then pour over ice. This is the coolest, lightest drink on the list, and a good palate cleanser to serve alongside all the rich hot chocolate options above. Crush a candy cane and rim the glass with it before pouring for extra festive crunch with every sip. Taste and adjust the peppermint carefully, adding it in small increments, since it's easy to overpower the lemonade.

Warm milk-based drinks should never go above 70°C (160°F) before serving to kids, use a kitchen thermometer if you're unsure, since milk that's too hot can scald small mouths. Always taste-test each batch yourself before serving, since sweetness and spice levels vary a lot between brands of juice, cocoa, and syrup. For any drink with soda or sparkling water, add the fizzy component last and pour gently to keep as many bubbles as possible. Chill glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before pouring cold drinks to keep them colder for longer without adding extra ice.

Crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream cover most of the hot drinks on this list and can be set out in small bowls for a self-serve garnish bar. For cold drinks, frozen fruit, cranberries, orange segments, or berries, works as both a garnish and a way to keep the drink cold without watering it down. Coloured or striped paper straws instantly make any drink feel more festive to kids without any extra prep. Rim glasses with crushed candy cane or coloured sugar by wetting the rim first with a little corn syrup or water.

Juice-based punches and cider bases can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept in the fridge in a sealed jug, with any fizzy soda added just before serving. Hot chocolate bases, without the toppings, also keep well for up to 3 days chilled and can be gently reheated on the stove or in the microwave in 30-second bursts. Avoid freezing anything with dairy in it, since milk and cream can separate and turn grainy once thawed. For a party, set up a hot chocolate or punch station with pre-measured mix-ins so kids can build their own drink under supervision.