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.
