Eggnog and cinnamon. Mulled everything. Baileys and Buck's Fizz.
Nothing quite says Christmas like a few drinks with those that mean the most to you. Not to mention, this occasion brings out the best flavours of wine, spirits and hot chocolate.
Christmas cocktails this year are set to top any other year previously. At least in our opinion anyway.
Given the cancellation of last Christmas, it seems that the hospitality industry are determined to give us two years worth of yuletide spirit in one and nobody is complaining.
If you're looking for a glass of something naughty or nice, search no more. We've found the best in Leeds for you to choose from.
A bit of Chambord is an essential to Christmas and this festive cocktail has mixed it into the perfect sweet treat. The White Forest Gateau is a concoction of Ketel One vodka, Briottett Maraschino and Chambord with Giffard chocolate cookie syrup, cranberry juice and topped with white chocolate foam.
Not only does this delicious drink resemble a reverse santa hat that even Father Christmas might be tempted by, but it only makes up one of four delicious dessert-inspired cocktails on offer at The Alchemist.
East 59th have partnered with Beluga to create a divine Winter Tales Menu, our favourite of which is the Snow Star Martini. Reimagining the staple cocktail, the sweet drink is made up of Beluga Noble Vodka, silky white cacao and vanilla with pineapple, passion and rose gold glitter.
Grab a glass and take a sip on the newly-designed alpine terrace, complete with all the luxe-winter decor you need to keep cosy and warm, whilst remaining an Instagram-worthy bar.
El Bandarra Vermouth mixed with Portobello Road Sloeberry and Blackcurrant gin and topped with a citrus slice for an olfactory Christmas feast for the senses. Available from the Boar Lane venue, this tasty drink is one of five festive favourites you need to try before 2022.
All Bar One teamed up with Hotel Chocolat to bring a quartet of chocolate-infused cocktails that taste just like December 25th. The Mint Royale is that post-Christmas dinner taste that replaces the After Eights and grandma's polo mints with a refreshing taste of Hotel Chocolat Mint Chocolate Velvetised™ Cream, Ketel One vodka, salted caramel syrup and oat milk.
Topped with a milk chocolate shard, chocolate flakes and a mint leaf garnish, this one is the only way to end a night of drinking in Leeds. If you like the taste as much as All Bar One you can even learn how to make your own at their cocktail masterclasses too.
Feature image- The Botanist
Christmas
Major plans announced for Leeds Christmas Markets 2026 – food, drinks, stalls and more
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Popular TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Think it's too early for 'C word'? Never mind, you've already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn't exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner - but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right - Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there's arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that's charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it's now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films - including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Viewers will find GREAT! Christmas on Freeview channel 51, Sky 319, Sky (Glass/Stream) 317, Virgin channel 424, and Freely channel 47.
Sophie Smith -
30th November 2021 
