Sip on the flavors of the holiday season with the lovely ruby-colored Christmas Cosmopolitan cocktail.
The rolls of wrapping paper and empty gift boxes flew out of the attic like an avalanche of red and green, and sometimes the smiling face of Mickey Mouse. Piles upon piles of holiday imagery almost buried me as I pulled down the ladder to the topmost floor of the house. For what seemed like an eternity, a cacophony of crashing—coupled with me yelling the phrase “I don’t believe it!” over and over again—seemed to echo through the family home. As I tumbled along with random Christmas stuff down two flights of stairs, a soft voice from the kitchen was heard to ask, “Are you okay up there?”
After digging myself out of a mountain of decades-old present wrapping accoutrements, then collecting my bearings, I thought, before I continued on with my task, a drink should probably be imbibed. The chore I thought would be tons of fun ended up nearly breaking my neck. But I’m not without a sense of whimsy, so I decided a Christmas Cosmopolitan should be my sipper of choice, to stay jolly and festive and all that jazz.
I sat in the sitting room near the bar cart, with my freshly shaken libation. Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, cinnamon syrup… Oh yes, I went all out on this Santa-worthy cocktail. And why not? Getting a head start on wrapping gifts in early October turned out to be dangerous work.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Christmas Cosmopolitan?
When shaking up a Christmas Cosmopolitan or two, it is important to have the proper spirits. And I’m not just talking about holiday spirits, either, but the boozy kind. For this cocktail, we’ll need vodka and triple sec, with the former being a clear, silky and flavorless alcohol that “hides” well amongst other ingredients it is mixed with, and triple sec, an orange-infused liqueur that helps bring a tart tanginess to each sip.
Ingredients
- Fine sugar and a lime wedge for the rim
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
- A small sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a chilled martini glass and then gently dip the rim into the sugar to coat it.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, triple sec, unsweetened cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and the cinnamon syrup. Shake well.
- Double strain into your prepared glass and garnish with a small sprig of rosemary.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Coat the rim of a chilled martini glass with sugar, and once your drink is poured, garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Why double-strain this cocktail?
This or any shaken cocktail can be double-strained during its pour, so that no minuscule or tiny pieces of ice find their way into your beverage, ensuring every sip is smooth.
Other holiday cocktails worth trying
Now that the cooler months have arrived, it’s time to start thinking about those seasonal get-togethers and Christmas parties that are coming. You may not have to start decorating for some time, but it never hurts to have a few drink ideas percolating in the back of your mind. Here are a few to think about, and even try out beforehand.
- Christmas Martini – Every holiday should have its own special ‘tini.
- Eggnog White Russian – An extra creamy Christmastime cocktail.
- Coquito – A seasonal tradition that you can make as a gift for your friends.
- Grinch – Nobody drinking this tipple will be grumpy, despite its name.
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