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    Home » Drinks » Christmas Cosmopolitan

    Christmas Cosmopolitan

    Published: Dec 22, 2018 · Modified: Nov 24, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

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    pinterest image with photos of recipe top and bottom and text overlay in the centre.

    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.

    cocktail shaker pouring drink into a glass garnished with lime.
    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”.

    cocktail in glass, garnished with lime and orange.

    Ingredients in this recipe:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white marble background.

    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:

    cocktail shaker pouring into a glass and the finished product of two glasses.

    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
    up close shot of two cocktails.

    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

    Two glasses with cocktail with a shaker in the background.

    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.
    4.98 from 75 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 267kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    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.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    1. I prefer to use Cointreau but you can use Triple Sec if you prefer.
    2. Always use freshly squeezed lime juice, the flavour is fresher and more vibrant than the juice from a bottle. 
    3. Please note, the nutritional information is based on one drink. The nutritional information is an estimate only.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 96mg | Sugar: 25g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    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 and brands you use.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Richard

      August 11, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 19, 2020 at 6:01 pm

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Molly Pisula

      January 02, 2020 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      You had me at Cosmopolitan! But I love the Christmas tweak on this one. Missed it this Christmas but pinning for next!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        January 07, 2020 at 2:08 am

        Good any time of year, yes!? Thanks, Molly!

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      May 01, 2019 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      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? 🙂

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        May 03, 2019 at 4:14 pm

        That’s a great idea David; Christmas in May! Always happy to celebrate with a Cosmopolitan. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Cecilia Harvard

      December 30, 2018 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      This drink is absolutely divine and perfect for the holiday season! Thanks for sharing (:

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 30, 2018 at 11:29 am

        So glad you think so. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Suzanne

      December 29, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      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

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 29, 2018 at 2:27 pm

        Hi Suzanne! Thank you so much 🙂 x

        Reply
    6. Lydia

      December 29, 2018 at 1:02 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 29, 2018 at 2:37 pm

        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!

        Reply
    7. Tiffany Barry

      December 29, 2018 at 12:19 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 29, 2018 at 2:37 pm

        It works so well with berries 🙂 Enjoy, Tiffany!

        Reply
    8. Yeah Lifestyle

      December 28, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      I love Cosmopolitan but not tried the Christmas version with cranberries and this looks so good! I can’t wait to try making this

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 29, 2018 at 11:13 am

        Enjoy!! Hope this will become a new favourite 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lara | Grits in the City

      December 28, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 28, 2018 at 4:23 pm

        Heya Lara!! I bet you’ll be looking forward to that 😉 All the best for the next month, and enjoy this when you can 🙂

        Reply
    10. Debra Schroeder

      December 28, 2018 at 1:24 pm

      Yum, that Cosmo looks tasty. The colors are perfect for the holidays and the rosemary sprigs look like little Christmas trees.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 28, 2018 at 4:23 pm

        Thanks, Debra! Exactly what I was going for with the rosemary, so I am so glad you think so 🙂 🙂

        Reply
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