The holidays are here, meaning it’s time to cozy up on the couch, queue up your favourite festive films, and enjoy the season’s best indulgences. At Angry Otter Liquor, every great holiday movie deserves a great cocktail. Whether you're laughing along with Buddy the Elf, scheming with the Kranks, or reminiscing with Ralphie, we’ve got the perfect drink to match the mood.

From the cozy warmth of Mulled Wine with It’s a Wonderful Life to a tropical Margarita with Christmas with the Kranks, our guide pairs holiday classics with cocktails that’ll make your movie nights even merrier.

It’s a Wonderful Life and Mulled Wine

Mulled Wine, a classic warm cocktail with a timeless flavour, is the perfect companion to a timeless, classic movie. Sip on this cozy drink as George Bailey’s heartwarming story unfolds, and let the rich, spiced notes of Mulled Wine elevate your viewing experience.

Want to learn more about the history of the timeless cocktail? Lucky for you, we’ve put together an entire history lesson of Mulled Wine here.

Ingredients — 1 bottle Red Wine, 1 Orange, 6 Whole Cloves, 3 Cinnamon Sticks, 3 Star Anise, ¼ cup Honey, ½ cup Brandy

Directions —  Add ingredients to a saucepan, stirring to combine. Cook on medium-high until it reaches a soft simmer, avoiding boiling off the alcohol. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least 15 minutes. Strain and serve warm with your preferred garnishes.

Elf and an Espresso Martini

Buddy may have thought the world’s best cup of coffee came from a cafe in New York, but he has never thought of adding vodka. Enjoy this classic cocktail while watching an equally classic and fun holiday movie. An Espresso Martini is one of the ones we always find ourselves going back to. View the original recipe here.

Ingredients —  2 oz Vodka, 1 oz Coffee Liqueur, 1 oz Espresso (best at room temperature), Coffee Beans for Garnish (optional)

Directions — Combine the vodka, liqueur, and espresso in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until combined and chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish to your preference.

Home Alone and Holiday Punch

There’s no place like home for the holidays...unless you're fending off two burglars alone! Try this refreshing cocktail that’ll make you feel like you're vacationing in Florida with all the seasonal flavours you’d expect from a Holiday Punch. The best part? It’s easy to batch-make for your holiday movie marathon. Pair it with pizza, of course, as you kick back and enjoy this classic!

View the original recipe here.

Ingredients — 1 ½ oz Spiced Rum, ½ oz Lime Juice, 1 ¾ oz Cranberry Juice, 3 ½ oz Ginger Ale, Cranberries, Rosemary Spring

Directions —  Combine rum, lime juice, and cranberry juice in an ice-filled glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with rosemary and cranberries.

Christmas with the Kranks and a White Christmas Margarita

If you relate to Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as they plot their Christmas boycott for a Caribbean cruise, why not join in the tropical—style fun? Sip on this island-inspired cocktail and let your imagination set sail. And don’t worry, we’ve added just the right festive twist! View the original recipe here.

Ingredients — 2 oz Tequila, 1 oz Orange Liqueur, 2 oz Coconut Milk, 1 oz Lime Juice, Ice, Sugar or Salt to taste

Directions — Rim the glass with lime juice and sugar or salt, depending on your preference. Set aside. Add all ingredients to a blender. Use your discretion with the ice depending on your blender’s power and desired consistency. Pour into your glass and, optionally, garnish to your liking.

Polar Express and Boozy Hot Chocolate

Here, we have just one rule: never let it cool! Our hot chocolate is so rich and decadent that even the train conductor wouldn’t be able to resist. Check out find the original recipe here.

Ingredients — 1 ½ oz Maple Liqueur, 3 ½ oz Hot Chocolate, Marshmallows, Chocolate

Directions — Pour the liqueur into a cup of hot chocolate. Top with marshmallows and chocolate flakes.

Love Actually and Hot Buttered Rum

You're in the right place if your idea of a wholesome holiday movie involves a foul-mouthed British rom-com. Pair the laughs, tears, and Pointer Sisters dance breaks with our perfected hot-buttered rum recipe. It’s so good that you might proclaim your love for it silently...on poster boards. Check out our favourite recipe here!

Ingredients
For Butter (Makes 24 servings, but can be stored in the fridge.) — 2 cups Brown Sugar, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, 1/2 tsp Cloves, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1 tbsp Vanilla, 1 tbsp Honey, 1 pinch Salt, 1 cup Butter

For Cocktail — 2oz Dark Rum, Hot Water

Directions —  For butter, combine and roll it on parchment paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before making a drink. For a cocktail, slice off the butter and stir it with dark rum and warm water. (If your water is boiling, the alcohol can potentially boil off.) Optional, top with whipped cream, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Miracle on 34th Street and a Dirty Shirley Temple

Whether you cherish the original 1947 film or the 1994 remake, Miracle on 34th Street is a timeless part of childhood memories. That’s why we’ve paired it with an equally nostalgic drink. This classic cocktail perfectly captures the youthful innocence of Susan Walker and the magic of believing.

Ingredients — 2oz Vodka, 1oz Grenadine, 6oz Lemon-Lime Soda, Optional Maraschino Cherry

Directions — Add the vodka and grenadine into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with the lemon-lime soda and stir gently and briefly to combine. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

A Christmas Story and a Warm Negroni

We imagine adult Ralphie by the fire, Warm Negroni in hand, reminiscing about that wild Christmas when he was nine. The gin adds a kick to handle the chaos, while orange and honey calm the noise—perfect for enjoying A Christmas Story and all the holiday madness! View our favourite recipe here.

Ingredients — ½ oz Honey, 1 oz Gin, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, splash of Orange Juice, Orange Slice and Star Anisee for garnish

Directions — Fill a heatproof glass with warm water. Once the glass is tempered, pour out the water. Add the honey, gin, Campari, sweet Vermouth, and orange juice, and fill the glass the rest of the way with hot water.

The holidays are all about the little things—like cozy movie nights with your favourite films and a cocktail that fits the vibe just right. Whether it’s the nostalgic warmth of Mulled Wine with It’s a Wonderful Life or the tropical twist of a White Christmas Margarita with Christmas with the Kranks, these pairings are here to make your festive season extra special.

And what’s a movie night without snacks? We’ve covered you with the Perfect Snack Pairings for Every Holiday Movie to complete your marathon.

So, grab your favourite ingredients from your local Angry Otter Liquor, invite your crew, and toast to a season full of laughter, good drinks, and unforgettable memories. Cheers!