This festive martini recipe is simple to prepare and ideal for the holiday season! It’s a delectably sweet and tart cocktail made with cranberry juice, vodka, and Cointreau.
Looking for a standout drink for the festivities? This Christmas martini is drinkable, festive, and sweet tart! For many years, the Poinsettia was my favorite for holiday celebrations, but this one is another I enjoy just as much.
I’ve crafted numerous holiday beverages over the years, and I’ve discovered that this cheerful martini is perfectly suited for entertaining. It’s easy to whip up, and the vibrant color from the cranberry juice is striking. Add a charming garnish, and you’re all set!
Key Ingredients You’ll Require
The Christmas martini recipe is a flavored vodka cocktail featuring cranberry juice. In reality, it’s more akin to a Cosmo than a traditional martini! Here’s what you will need for this beverage:
– **Unsweetened Cranberry Juice** is the highlight here. Look for 100% cranberry juice without any added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup. I use it in all my cranberry drinks because it has a brighter hue and a purer taste than sweetened kinds.
– **Cointreau** serves as the orange liqueur. It’s superior to Triple Sec, offering a more harmonious citrus flavor, but Triple Sec or even Grand Marnier work as substitutes. If you fancy similar Cointreau recipes, check out my Classic Margarita or Lemon Drop Martini.
– **Fresh Lemon Juice** is essential: be sure to use fresh instead of bottled, as bottled lacks the same zest.
– **Simple Syrup or Maple Syrup** balances out the tartness. I usually opt for simple syrup, but maple provides a richness that complements the holiday spirit (it doesn’t have a maple flavor).
How to Craft a Christmas Martini: Fundamental Steps
Creating the Christmas martini is straightforward. You’ll only need a cocktail shaker and a martini glass! If you’re serving a group, you can mix 2 drinks at once in one shaker. Here are the fundamental steps:
1. **Shake:** Add vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake for 15 seconds until chilled.
2. **Strain:** Pour the mixture into a martini glass.
3. **Garnish:** Here’s the enjoyable part: for a festive Christmas touch, garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. In my photos, I used a cocktail pick for the cranberries, but you can also drop them directly into the drink.
Scaling Up: Preparing a Pitcher for Holiday Gatherings
When hosting a larger group, I prepare a pitcher of these ahead of time. It’s a game-changer for entertaining since you can pour drinks swiftly instead of shaking individual cocktails.
For 8 servings, mix 1 cup vodka, 1 cup 100% cranberry juice, ½ cup Cointreau, ½ cup fresh lemon juice, and 5 tablespoons simple syrup in a pitcher. Stir with 3 handfuls of ice until very cold, then serve in glasses with garnishes.
Serving Recommendations For This Cocktail
This Christmas martini stands out at holiday events ranging from dinner parties to large gatherings. Each time I serve it, the vivid red hue instantly creates a festive vibe and draws everyone’s attention! Ideal occasions include:
I especially enjoy pairing these with appetizers like Baked Brie, a cheese platter, or my Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer. The sweet tart taste complements cheese beautifully.
You could also consider serving it alongside my Christmas Margarita or other Christmas Vodka Cocktails.
Make-Ahead Recommendations and Storage
This drink tastes best when served immediately. However, you can prepare the pitcher version up to 4 hours in advance without ice. When it’s time to serve, just add the ice and pour into glasses.
You can pre-prepare your rosemary sprigs and cranberry skewers in advance and store them in the refrigerator. This allows for quick assembly when your guests arrive.
The Christmas Martini
This festive martini recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for the holiday season! It’s a delectably sweet tart cocktail featuring cranberry juice, vodka, and Cointreau.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) vodka**
– 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) 100% cranberry juice (not sweetened*)
– ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Cointreau
– ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
– 2 teaspoons simple syrup or maple syrup*
– For the garnish: cranberries, rosemary sprig
**Instructions:**
1. Combine the vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 15 seconds until cold.
2. Strain the mixture into a cocktail or martini glass.