The 12 Sips of Christmas in Los Angeles: Best Holiday Drinks in Los Angeles
December can be a stressful time of year, but these specialty sips will have you fa-la-la-la-la-ing in love with the season all over again. The 12 Sips of Christmas isn’t just about alcohol, either, as Festive Teas and Opportunit-teas for Connection abound in Los Angeles. See who’s pouring the Best Holiday Drinks in Los Angeles this year.
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Gin Rummy (Venice)
If your Christmas fantasy involves being stranded on a desert island with a Mai Tai and a string of lights, then Gin Rummy is your Christmas paradise. The restaurant is decked out with garland and oversized ornaments, which fit right in with the birds of paradise. The soundtrack is holiday-themed, and Thursday to Sunday offers a live DJ spinning the classics you can dance to. Keep an eye out for Surfing Santa while you’re sipping on a Christmas Colada, made with dark rum, coconut, clove, cinnamon, and lime – this is also available sans the spirits. Other must-haves include the Frozen Marshmallow Daiquiri and the Gingerbread Mojito.
When and How: Christmas at Gin Rummy runs every day but December 25th. Cocktails are $14 to $18, and Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.
Krampus’ Cove (Night on Earth Hollywood Hills)
Explore the dark side of Christmas at Krampus’ Cove. This pop-up is making its 4th visit to Los Angeles with a macabre takeover of Night on Earth in the Hollywood Hills during select hours. Libations include a Naughty List Negroni, Grinches Need Love, Too, made with vodka, pandan, and peppermint, and a Bourbon-based Merry Axe Mas, with spiced cider and miso butterscotch.
When and How: Pop-up dates are now through December 28th, 2025, at 6 and 8 p.m. nightly. Your $25 Ticket includes a Welcome Cocktail and a Creepy Christmas Guided Tour. The bar is also open for un-ticketed walk-in service during regular hours. Reserve here for the interactive experience.
A.O.C. (West Hollywood)
The changing seasons bring a changing cocktail menu at Chef Suzanne Goin’s A.O.C., with seasonal sips curated by head barman Ignacio Murillo. A Kentucky Holiday is sure to keep you warm and cozy with flavors of bourbon, persimmon, lemon, and sherry. Try the Pentire Ruby with Seaward free spirit, lemon, cranberry syrup, grapefruit, and mint if you’re keeping things alcohol-free this holiday.
When and How: Cocktails range from $18 to $24, and the restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 5:30 p.m. and earlier on weekends. Happy Hour is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Patrick Molloys (Hermosa Beach)
Irish restaurant Patrick Molloys is holding a special Miracle at Molloys in collaboration with Miracle Pop-Up Bars daily from Noon to 10 p.m. through December 31st. Kitchy-Christmas items include Griswold-style decorations and craft cocktails like The Christmapolitan, made with vodka, spiced cranberry sauce, and absinthe mist, as well as The Snowball Old Fashioned with rye whiskey, gingerbread, and wormwood bitters. There are three different non-alcoholic beverages on the menu, including the Silent Night, made with tart cherry, orange acid, and soda. An expansive food menu with Irish pub favorites will also be available.
When and How: Make your reservations on Resy for this plum on Pier Plaza. The restaurant is open daily. Cocktail prices are between $13 and $18.
Firstborn (Chinatown)
Bar Director Kenzo Han of Firstborn has crafted a fresh Hot Toddy that pairs perfectly with fermented tofu and reflects the restaurant’s Chinese-American sensibilities. Flavors include black oolong tea, Imo Shochu, Michter’s Rye, lemon juice + Zest, spruce tips, and Angostura bitters.
When and How: Firstborn is open Wednesday to Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. Reserve on OpenTable or grab a seat at the bar.
The Roger Room (West Hollywood)
The Roger Room is camp meets craft cocktails, with garlands, vintage decorations, and way too much mistletoe to miss your magical moment. Signature sips include Santa’s Apple Cider ($20) with Jack Daniels and Hennessy, along with a Zero-Proof Apple Cider with cinnamon and clove ($12). The Sugar Plum Fairy with Zacapa rum and a lemon-sugar rim is just as beautiful as it sounds ($18).
When and How: The Roger Room is open weekdays at 6 p.m., and weekends at 7 and 8 p.m. respectively. They’re even open Christmas Day with regular hours. Reserve your seat on Resy.
Big Bar (Los Feliz)
It’s Elf on the Top Shelf with specialty cocktails from this beloved neighborhood watering hole. For the month of December, Big Bar in Los Feliz will be serving six seasonal cocktails, including the Oh Snap!, which melds the flavors of an old fashioned and gingersnap rum into something truly special. It comes with a gingerbread man on the side, so you’re never drinking alone. The recipe was created by Marina Spidla of MarinaMixes, whose Big Bar debut as guest bartender was delayed following the L.A. Wildfires earlier this year. She’ll be pouring all month.
Big Bar will also be hosting a Merry Shrekmas Party on December 16th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, so embrace your inner ogre! Specialty cocktails and shenanigans can be expected.
When and How: Big Bar is open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. weekdays, and weekends the doors open as early as 9 a.m. and close at midnight and 10 p.m. respectively.
Frosty’s Christmas Bar (Hollywood)
If you’d rather find your yuletide cheer at the bottom of a glass, consider Frosty’s Christmas Bar for the 21-and-older crowd. This immersive pop-up bar features photo ops, tons of Christmas decorations, and, of course, festive beverages. Timed tickets start at $24 but do not include the spirits needed to have you singing karaoke atop a jumbo Christmas ornament.
When and How: Reserve your tickets here for dates through December 30th. Frosty’s is closed December 24th and 25th. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills (West Hollywood)
Weekends in December, guests can enter the land of sweets and sips with a Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. The experience begins with Tea from Rare Tea Company, including the special Nutcracker Holiday Blend with toasted hazelnuts and Madagascar vanilla. You can also add Champagne by the glass. Themed Tea Sandwiches, Scones, and Sweets will also be served, like Peppermint Meringue Tarts and freshly baked Gingerbread Cookies.
When and How: The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea is available Saturdays and Sundays through December from Noon to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $84 per person and $42 for children 12 and under. Reserve on OpenTable.
Casa Vega (Sherman Oaks)
The halls are decked at Casa Vega, with golden tinsel shimmering over every spot. This restaurant is like Las Vegas, where you’re not sure if it’s daylight yet – but that just means more Snowball Margaritas. They’ll also be serving a Mexican Coffee in an adorable Santa mug.
When and How: Casa Vega is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. Happy Hour is from 2:30 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Bar Next Door (West Hollywood)
Bar Next Door on the Sunset Strip, from Bar Director and mixologist Brynn Smith, is your home away from home this holiday season. The space has been glammed up in holiday fashion to match the cozy cocktails in your hand. Menu highlights include a BND Mulled Wine with ginger, whole spices, and Italian red wine, and a Butterbeer, an adult take on the Harry Potter original, with butter, brown Sugar, and vodka.
The star of the lineup, though, might be the Clarified Coquito, a take on the Puerto Rican classic made with Santa Teresa 1796 and Bacardí Carta Blanca rum, cinnamon, sweetened condensed milk, nutmeg, cardamom, and espresso beans.
When and How: Bar Next Door is open every day but Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m. most days.
Dahlia -Downtown LA Proper Hotel (Downtown Los Angeles)
Nothing is merrier than mezcal, and the In Good Spirits Holiday Pop-Up at the Downtown LA Proper Hotel has got bites and beats to boost your evening. Think nightly DJs, Tarot Readings, Chain-Stitch Artists, and Small Plates from Cabrillo restaurant. Dishes include Ceviche and Warm Churros, among others. Cocktails include a Sugar Plum Old Fashioned with Illegal Mezcal ($19) and a Cranberry No-Groni ($17).
When and How: This holiday pop-up takes place in the Dahlia lounge Thursday through Saturday, from December 5th through 20th. Reserve on OpenTable beginning at 7 p.m.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Various)
There’s nothing better than a taste of the season before 6 a.m. Holiday flavors from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf include the Peppermint Mocha Cream Iced Latte, the Winter Dream Tea®Latte, and a brand new Tiramisu Latte. While The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf might have the feel of a large chain, it is a SoCal brand with roots in the 1960s that still works with small-batch tea and coffee farms all over the world.
When and How: Chances are, there is a shop near you. See the website for your closest pick-me-up.
*This piece first appeared on LAist, authored by yours truly.
