Christmas Cosmopolitan

If you are looking for the perfect cocktail to serve during the festive season, look no further than my Christmas Cosmopolitan. It is a great way to begin a celebration and you can be certain that it is a crowd pleaser. What's more, you will be delighted by how easy it is to make.

Jump to:

• Why we love this recipe:
• Ingredients in this recipe:
• Step by step instructions:
• Tips for success and FAQs:
• More delicious recipes for you to try:
• Christmas Cosmopolitan

Why we love this recipe:

It is so pretty. The glorious, rose-hued colour of this easy Christmas cocktail immediately creates the sense of a special occasion. I serve it in a beautifully styled martini glass which automatically adds a festive touch. The conical top of the glass, which sits aboard a slender stem, is stylish and elegant. For me, this cocktail is ideal to serve at any time of the year, not just at Christmas.

It is a simple drink, containing just four ingredients, not counting the ice cubes used to chill the drink. This is a classic Cosmopolitan and, to me, it has the right balance of sweet and tart flavours. You can, of course, certainly adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. 

This recipe is for two people. However, this cocktail is perfect for a party and you can easily multiply the ingredients to make the required number of drinks.

If you don't have a cocktail shaker, don't despair. You can easily make this drink in a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Just shake the drink well and strain it into your glass. 

Wikipedia advises that the origin of the Cosmopolitan is disputed. For many of us, it was in the 1990s that we discovered the cocktail and developed a fondness for it.  This was when it became internationally famous thanks to it being a favourite tipple of Carrie Bradshaw in the television show "Sex and the City".

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

• Vodka
• Cointreau or Triple Sec
• Cranberry juice
• Lime juice
• Ice cubes

Step by step instructions:

It could not be simpler. Put all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a glass of your choice.

Serve with an attractive garnish.

Tips for success and FAQs:

I urge you, do not use bottled lime juice. To make the best cocktail it is essential to use fresh lime which will add a vibrant flavour. The taste is so much better.

It is important to shake the cocktail well to properly incorporate the ingredients and thoroughly chill the contents. This means that you won't need to add ice to the glass thereby diluting the drink.

If you're making a Christmas Cosmopolitan for a cocktail party, I suggest that you mix the required amount of vodka, Cointreau, cranberry and lime juices together in a large jug, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Then, shake the ingredients well with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain, serve and repeat the procedure. It is faster than making them separately as you go. 

More delicious recipes for you to try:

Another festive cocktail option is our delicious Strawberry Prosecco. You may also like to try some of these festive recipes:

• Caprese Christmas Wreath
• Four Ingredient Fruit Cake
• Smoked Salmon Wreath

You can't go wrong with a Christmas Cosmopolitan. If you like to have some special touches at your festive celebrations, offering your guests this lovely cocktail is ideal. 

Choose a garnish which you prefer. Some options are:

• A twist of lime
• Zest of orange
• Sprig of rosemary

This drink also works beautifully with some fresh or frozen cranberries.

Enjoy relaxed, elegant entertaining with this easy, classic cocktail which is always a crowd pleaser. 

Cheers, and a very Merry Christmas to all!

Alex xx