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.
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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:
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
Christmas Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 100 ml (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) Vodka
- 60 ml (¼ cup) Cointreau or Triple Sec See Note 1
- 250 ml (1 cup) cranberry juice sweetened
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice See Note 2
- 1 cup ice cubes
- garnish of your choice – eg: orange, lime, rosemary
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker or jar.
- Shake well to thoroughly combine the ingredients and ensure they are chilled. Strain into a martini glass or another glass of your choice.
- Serve with a garnish if you wish. I like orange peel, a twist of lime and sometimes a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch!
Notes
- I prefer to use Cointreau but you can use Triple Sec if you prefer.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime juice, the flavour is fresher and more vibrant than the juice from a bottle.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on one drink. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information:
Please note, the nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients you use.
Richard
I made this drink for my wife after a long day at work. She loves cranberry drinks so thought this would be nice. She loved it and asked me to make it again tomorrow.
Alexandra
Hello Richard, what a lovely thought to make this cocktail for your wife. I am sure that you earned some brownie points for your thoughtfulness. 🙂
Molly Pisula
You had me at Cosmopolitan! But I love the Christmas tweak on this one. Missed it this Christmas but pinning for next!
Alexandra
Good any time of year, yes!? Thanks, Molly!
David @ Spiced
What a fun way to serve a cocktail! I’m a huge fan of the fresh sprig of rosemary in this Cosmo. Plus, the colors work perfectly for the holiday season. I’m thinking we need to have Christmas in May, yes? 🙂
Alexandra
That’s a great idea David; Christmas in May! Always happy to celebrate with a Cosmopolitan. 🙂
Cecilia Harvard
This drink is absolutely divine and perfect for the holiday season! Thanks for sharing (:
Alexandra
So glad you think so. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Suzanne
This is the best holiday cocktail yet! I can’t wait to give this a try, I know my friends will like it 🙂 xo, Suzanne
Alexandra
Hi Suzanne! Thank you so much 🙂 x
Lydia
I’ll also love Cosmopolitan for Christmas. What’s best than homemade drinks for the holidays? I’m showing my grandma this recipe, she needs to up her games for New Year celebration.
Alexandra
Hi Lydia! Thank you so much for stopping by, and so glad you agree 🙂 It is such a festive drink.
I hope this is something your grandma may enjoy also!
Tiffany Barry
Adding this to my list of drink ideas I’d like after this baby is born. I love berries, so I’d probably garnish with those.
Alexandra
It works so well with berries 🙂 Enjoy, Tiffany!
Yeah Lifestyle
I love Cosmopolitan but not tried the Christmas version with cranberries and this looks so good! I can’t wait to try making this
Alexandra
Enjoy!! Hope this will become a new favourite 🙂
Lara | Grits in the City
These look beautiful and so festive. Perfect for the holidays! I’m 8 months pregnant but this has me counting down the days until I can give this a try myself.
Alexandra
Heya Lara!! I bet you’ll be looking forward to that 😉 All the best for the next month, and enjoy this when you can 🙂
Debra Schroeder
Yum, that Cosmo looks tasty. The colors are perfect for the holidays and the rosemary sprigs look like little Christmas trees.
Alexandra
Thanks, Debra! Exactly what I was going for with the rosemary, so I am so glad you think so 🙂 🙂