This Christmas martini recipe is straightforward to make and ideal for the vacations! It’s a deliciously candy tart cocktail that includes cranberry juice, vodka and Cointreau.
Want a signature drink for the vacations? This Christmas martini is good tart, drinkable and festive! For years the Poinsettia was my go-to for the vacations, however right here’s one other I like simply as a lot.
I’ve made dozens of vacation drinks over time and I’ve discovered this festive martini is the right match for entertaining. It’s straightforward to combine up and the colour is so vibrant from the purple cranberry juice. Add a cute garnish and also you’re in enterprise!
Key Elements You’ll Want
The Christmas martini recipe is a flavored vodka martini that’s made with cranberry juice. Actually, it’s really extra like a Cosmo than a martini! Right here’s what you’ll want for this drink:
- Unsweetened Cranberry Juice is the star right here. Search for 100% cranberry juice with out added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup. I exploit it in all my cranberry cocktails as a result of I discover it has a brighter coloration and extra pure taste than sweetened variations.
- Cointreau is the orange liqueur. It’s increased high quality than Triple Sec with a extra balanced citrus taste, however it’s also possible to use Triple Sec and even Grand Marnier when you’ve got it. Should you’re in search of related Cointreau drinks, attempt my Basic Margarita or Lemon Drop Martini.
- Contemporary Lemon Juice is vital: be certain that to make use of contemporary and by no means bottled, because it simply doesn’t have the identical zing.
- Easy Syrup or Maple Syrup rounds out the tartness. I usually use easy syrup, however maple provides a depth that works properly through the holidays (it doesn’t style like maple).
Tips on how to Make a Christmas Martini: Fundamental Steps
The Christmas martini is straightforward to make. All you’ll want is a cocktail shaker and a martini glass! Should you’re making this for a crowd, it’s also possible to combine up 2 drinks directly in a single cocktail shaker. Listed below are the fundamental steps (or soar to the recipe beneath):
- Shake: Add the vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and easy syrup to the cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds till chilly.
- Pressure: Pressure the drink right into a martini glass.
- Garnish: Right here’s the enjoyable half: to make it look festive for Christmas, use contemporary cranberries and a rosemary sprig as a garnish. In these images, I positioned the cranberries on a cocktail choose, however it’s also possible to place them straight into the drink.
Scaling Up: Making a Pitcher for Vacation Events
After I’m internet hosting a crowd, I combine up a pitcher of those forward of time. It’s a game-changer for entertaining as a result of you possibly can pour drinks rapidly as a substitute of shaking particular person cocktails.
For 8 servings, mix 1 cup vodka, 1 cup 100% cranberry juice, ½ cup Cointreau, ½ cup contemporary lemon juice, and 5 tablespoons easy syrup in a pitcher. Stir with 3 handfuls of ice till very chilly, then pour into glasses and garnish.
Serving Ideas For When Make This Cocktail
This Christmas martini shines at vacation gatherings from dinner events to giant vacation events. Each time I serve it, the brilliant purple coloration makes it immediately festive and catches everybody’s eye! Good events embrace:
I notably love serving these alongside appetizers like Baked Brie, a cheese board, or my Simple Goat Cheese Appetizer. The candy tart taste works properly with cheese.
You could possibly additionally attempt serving it alongside my Christmas Margarita or a few of my different Christmas Vodka Cocktails.
Make-Forward Ideas and Storage
This drink is finest served instantly. Nonetheless, you can also make the pitcher variation as much as 4 hours upfront with out ice. When able to serve, add the ice and pour into glasses.
You may prep your rosemary sprigs and cranberry skewers forward of time and retailer within the fridge. This makes meeting fast when visitors arrive.
The Christmas Martini
This Christmas martini recipe is straightforward to make and ideal for the vacations! It’s a deliciously candy tart cocktail that includes cranberry juice, vodka and Cointreau.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Complete Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Class: Drink
- Technique: Shaken
- Delicacies: Cocktails
- Weight loss program: Vegan
- 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 easy syrup or maple syrup*
- For the garnish: cranberries, rosemary sprig
- Place the vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, lemon juice, and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds till chilly.
- Pressure the drink right into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary and serve.
Notes
*If all you’ll find is sweetened cranberry juice, use half the easy syrup amount (or add it to style).
**Tips on how to make 8 drinks for a crowd: In a pitcher, combine collectively 1 cup vodka, 1 cup 100% cranberry juice, ½ cup Cointreau, ½ cup contemporary lemon juice, and 5 tablespoons easy syrup. Add 3 handfuls of ice and stir till chilly. Pour into glasses and serve.
