Hanukkah is already a deeply sensory holiday. There is the smell of frying latkes, the shine of chocolate gelt, the glow of candles that get a little shorter and a little waxier every night. So it feels only natural to bring the holiday to the bar cart, too.
From sufganiyot-inspired sours to chocolate gelt martinis, Jewish bartenders and home mixologists have created a whole universe of Hanukkah cocktails that go way beyond “just make something blue.” Some drinks lean into the oil miracle with olive oil–washed spirits, others channel latkes and applesauce, and a few simply embrace the joy of adding edible glitter.
Below, you’ll find Hanukkah-ready cocktails organized by base spirit, with links to every recipe so you can actually make them at home. Whether you are a gin person, a bourbon loyalist, a vodka devotee or just here for a jelly doughnut in a coupe glass, there is something for each of the eight nights. And if alcohol is not your thing, consider these a jumping-off point for festive, booze-free mocktail versions too.
Read more: Hosting a Hanukkah party? Here’s everything you need to know.
Check out Unpacked’s Hanukkah holiday guide, and roundups of the latkes, sufganiyot, and other Hanukkah treats.
Gin
- Gin and Tonikkah by The Potion Project — A fruity, blue G&T with an over-the-top Hanukkah garnish.
- Olive Oil Gin Sour from The Feed Feed — A silky, lemony gin sour enriched with olive oil to nod to the Hanukkah oil story.
- Sufganiyot in a Glass from Tipxy — A jammy gin sour with raspberry and lemon that drinks like a jelly doughnut.
- Ocho Kandelikas from Maccabee Bar — Olive oil–infused gin with honey, apricot and lemon, inspired by the Ladino Hanukkah song.
Whiskey / Bourbon
- The Old Fashion Gelt Digger from 86 Eats— An orange and chocolate delight
- Bread & Oil from Slow Mixology — Blackcurrant and Scotch mimic sufganiyot flavors
- Latke Sour from Maccabee Bar — A potato and apple brandy sour that channels latkes with applesauce in cocktail form.
- Holiday at the Hive by Liquor.com — A cozy bourbon-and-honey cocktail for people who prefer warm spice over blue curaçao.
Tequila / Mezcal
- Menorah Margarita by Spilling Tequila — A festive margarita with blue accents and menorah-level garnish energy.
- Tequila Gimmel from BevMo — A simple, bright tequila-lime cocktail that’s basically a Hanukkah margarita.
- Tequila & Tonikkah from BevMo — A tequila-and-tonic highball with lime that reads like the agave cousin of a G&T.
Vodka
- Vodka Gimel from Spilling Tequila — A vivid blueberry-lime vodka cocktail that looks as dramatic as it tastes.
- The Hanukkah Hjerte from Laurel Canyon — A wintery vodka drink with lemon, ginger, honey and cardamom.
- Chocolate Gelt Martini from BevMo – A dessert-y chocolate vodka martini topped with literal gelt.
- Hebrew Hammer by Naomi Levy – A yeasty, raspberry-forward vodka cocktail inspired by sufganiyot.
- Latkatini from Cocktails — A tongue-in-cheek vodka martini riff with potato chips and apple flavors.
- Hanukkah Punch from BevMo — A big-batch vodka punch with cranberry and ginger ale made for menorah-side pitchers.
Rum
- Jelly Doughnut Cocktail by Kosher.com — A creamy raspberry-and-rum drink that tastes like a sufganiyah.
- Hanukkah Sufganiyot Jelly Donut Cocktail from Tipxy — A rum and raspberry cocktail specifically built as a Hanukkah jelly doughnut in a glass.
- Blue Hanukkah Daiquiri from The Nibble — A bright blue rum daiquiri that leans into the whole blue-and-white aesthetic.
Wine / Sparkling
- Lighting the Menorah Champagne Cocktail from A Bar Above — Champagne with rum, pear, and lemon, created as a bubbly ode to the Hanukkah lights.
- Aperol Schvitz by Naomi Levy — Aperol, Manischewitz and sparkling wine for a very Jewish take on an Aperol spritz.
