Classic Cocktails & Drinks With A Funky Twist

Drunk Reindeer

5 from 3 votes
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Updated: 12/19/21

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

We know all about the red-nosed reindeer, but the Drunk Reindeer is a cocktail that deserves its own attention! It is a rich and boozy chocolate beverage that can be enjoyed warm or cold. Garnished with cinnamon sticks as antlers and a cherry as a bright red nose, this cocktail’s reindeer face is fun and festive for your holiday party.

two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings

If you love a good Spiked Hot Chocolate you are sure to enjoy this Drunk Reindeer recipe. It is creamy, rich, and sweet with a kick that will warm you right up. Your guests will love the signature reindeer face garnish!

Drunk Reindeer Recipe

To make one Drunk Reindeer cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 8 ounces Hot Chocolate (homemade or storebought)
  • 2 ounces Vodka
  • 2 ounces Chocolate Liqueur
  • Cherry
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • Whipped Cream
  • Chocolate Shavings
two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings

How to Make a Drunk Reindeer

Once you have your ingredients gathered, making a Drunk Reindeer is quite simple. To serve the drink cool, pour your vodka and chocolate liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice. Then add your prepared hot chocolate and shake well. Strain into a glass or mug and garnish. The garnish is what gives this cocktail its signature name and festive reindeer appeal. First, top the prepared drink with whipped cream. Put the two cinnamon sticks into the glass, one on each side near the back. Put the Cherry into the whipped cream near the front. Top with chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

To serve a Drunk Reindeer warm, pour the vodka and chocolate liqueur into a mug. Then pour prepared hot chocolate into the mug and stir to combine. Garnish as previously described and enjoy!

two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings

How to Serve

Serve your Drunk Reindeer in a mug or glass following directions above for serving warm or cool. The signature garnish of a reindeer face is the perfect festive touch on the delicious cocktail. Start by topping the prepared drink with whipped cream. Next, add two cinnamon sticks into the glass, one on each side near the back(these are your antlers), then put a cherry into the whipped cream near the front (the reindeer’s nose), and top with chocolate shavings. You can also garnish regular hot chocolate for a non-alcoholic drink for kids or guests who don’t drink alcohol.

Other Christmas Cocktails

two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings
two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings
5 from 3 votes

Drunk Reindeer

Serves: 1 drink
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
The Drunk Reindeer is a rich and boozy chocolate beverage that can be enjoyed warm or cold. Garnished to look like the face of a reindeer, this cocktail is fun and festive for your holiday party.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Hot Chocolate
  • 2 ounces Vodka
  • 2 ounces Chocolate Liqueur
  • Cherry
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • Whipped Cream
  • Chocolate Shavings

Instructions

Served Cool

  • Pour the vodka and chocolate liqueur into an ice filled shaker.
  • Pour the hot chocolate into the shaker.
  • Shake well.
  • Strain into a glass or mug.
  • Top the drink with the whipped cream.
  • Put the two cinnamon sticks into the glass, one on each side near the back.
  • Put the Cherry into the whipped cream near the front.
  • Top with chocolate shavings.
  • Enjoy!

Served Warm

  • Pour the vodka and chocolate liqueur into glass or mug.
  • Pour the hot chocolate into the glass or mug.
  • Top the drink with the whipped cream.
  • Put the two cinnamon sticks into the glass, one on each side near the back.
  • Put the Cherry into the whipped cream near the front.
  • Top with chocolate shavings.
  • Enjoy!
Author: Nathan Longley
Course: Drinks
two mugs of Drunk Reindeer recipe garnished with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, a cherry, and chocolate shavings

Did You Make This

Drunk Reindeer

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

Nathan Longley has been his wife’s personal bar tender for as long as he can remember. While he most often enjoys a cold beer, he is known to love our vodka gimlet.

Reader Interactions

    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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  1. Gush says

    5 stars
    Excellent, recipe

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