Top 10 Naughty and Nice Cocktails for Every Occasion

Naughty and Nice Cocktails: Check Out Santa’s List

When it comes to cocktails, there’s always a choice: to indulge in decadent flavors or savor something light and refreshing. Whether you’re feeling bold and adventurous or aiming for a virtuous twist, the perfect cocktail awaits. This duality is what makes mixology so exciting—there’s a drink for every mood, every occasion, and every palate.

The art of creating the ideal cocktail lies in finding that balance. Some drinks invite indulgence, with rich ingredients that feel like a treat after a long day. Others embrace simplicity, offering crisp, clean flavors that refresh and revitalize. From creamy chocolate martinis to herbaceous lemon-basil gimlets, the spectrum of possibilities is endless.

This list of Top 10 Naughty and Nice Cocktails captures the best of both worlds. The naughty cocktails are for those moments when you want to splurge and enjoy bold, unapologetic flavors. Meanwhile, the nice cocktails cater to a more mindful approach, with lighter ingredients that don’t sacrifice taste. Together, they provide a guide to cocktail creativity, perfect for entertaining guests, celebrating milestones, or simply unwinding at home.

We’ll explore five indulgent “naughty” cocktails that tempt with their richness and decadence, paired with five “nice” cocktails that deliver refreshing, guilt-free satisfaction. Each recipe includes ingredients, easy mixology instructions, and nutritional details, so you can choose based on your preferences and goals. Whether you’re planning a holiday party, a summer gathering, or a cozy night in, these cocktails will inspire you to shake things up.

Dive in to discover your next favorite cocktail—whether you’re feeling naughty, nice, or a little bit of both.

Top 5 Naughty Cocktails

These cocktails are indulgent, decadent, and a little over the top—perfect for when you’re embracing your “naughty” side.

1. Sinful Chocolate Martini

Indulge in this rich dessert cocktail that feels more like a cheat day in a glass. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and unapologetically decadent. This is the ‘Bad-boy’ of the Naughty and Nice Cocktails list.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz chocolate liqueur
• 1 oz heavy cream
• Chocolate syrup for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Combine vodka, chocolate liqueur, and heavy cream in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until chilled.
3. Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a martini glass for decoration.
4. Strain the cocktail into the glass.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 360
• Carbs: 19g
• Sugar: 15g

2. Devil’s Margarita

Naughty Cocktail List

This sultry cocktail combines tequila’s boldness with the seductive allure of red wine. It’s a devilishly good drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 0.5 oz red wine (for float)

Mixology Instructions:

1. Shake tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice.
2. Strain into a coupe glass.
3. Gently pour red wine over the back of a spoon to create a float.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 200
• Carbs: 10g
• Sugar: 9g

3. Black Russian

Dark and brooding, this no-frills cocktail is for those who enjoy their indulgences straightforward and strong.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur

Mixology Instructions:

1. Add vodka and coffee liqueur to a rocks glass filled with ice.
2. Stir gently to combine.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 220
• Carbs: 17g
• Sugar: 16g

4. Sex on the Beach

(You knew we had to add this to the Naughty and Nice Cocktails list)

This flirty and fruity classic is as naughty as its name implies, perfect for beach vibes or holiday fun.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 0.5 oz peach schnapps
• 2 oz orange juice
• 2 oz cranberry juice

Mixology Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 230
• Carbs: 25g
• Sugar: 22g

5. Hot Buttered Rum

Warm, buttery, and spiced to perfection, this is the ultimate cozy cocktail for chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 tbsp spiced butter (butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
• 6 oz hot water

Mixology Instructions:

1. Place spiced butter in a mug.
2. Pour hot water over the butter and stir to dissolve.
3. Add rum and stir until combined.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 250
• Carbs: 12g
• Sugar: 11g

Top 5 Nice Cocktails

These cocktails are light, refreshing, and virtuous—perfect for when you’re trying to be on your “nice” list.

1. Elderflower Spritz

This elegant cocktail is a bubbly, floral treat that won’t weigh you down.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz elderflower liqueur
• 3 oz prosecco
• 2 oz soda water
• Fresh mint for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Add elderflower liqueur to a wine glass filled with ice.
2. Top with prosecco and soda water.
3. Garnish with mint leaves.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 150
• Carbs: 10g
• Sugar: 8g

2. Cucumber Vodka Collins

Clean and crisp, this cocktail is like a spa day in a glass. Any time you put cucumber in a cocktail it is bound to make it to the Naughty and Nice Cocktails list)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Soda water
• Cucumber slices for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Combine vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
3. Top with soda water and garnish with cucumber slices.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 120
• Carbs: 7g
• Sugar: 6g

3. Cranberry Vodka Soda

This bright, tart cocktail is as festive as it is light.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz soda water
• Lime wedge for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Combine vodka and cranberry juice in a glass with ice.
2. Top with soda water and stir.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 110
• Carbs: 8g
• Sugar: 7g

4. Lemon Basil Gimlet

Refreshing and herbaceous, this drink balances citrus with subtle herbal notes.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka or gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz honey syrup (honey and water mixed)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Shake vodka, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with basil leaves.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 140
• Carbs: 10g
• Sugar: 9g

5. Mocktail Mule

Enjoy all the ginger kick without the booze in this delightful mocktail.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz ginger beer
• 1 oz lime juice
• 2 oz soda water
• Lime wheel for garnish

Mixology Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add ginger beer, lime juice, and soda water.
3. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 80
• Carbs: 18g
• Sugar: 16g