Get into the festive spirit with this Christmas cosmopolitan!

This jolly holiday drink is perfect for your next Christmas party. Not only is this a serious crowd pleaser, but it’s super simple to make too.

If I’m throwing a holiday party, then you know I love to make a batch of fun drinks!

While I love my cranberry aperol spritz cocktail and winter spiced old fashioned, I really wanted to make a festive cosmopolitan!

I absolutely love a classic cosmopolitan cocktail but I knew I needed to make a holiday version. Enter this Christmas cosmopolitan which has all of the same ingredients as the classic cocktail but with a homemade cranberry-rosemary simple syrup to add a festive flavour.

Grab your cocktail shaker and make this divine Christmas cocktail to get in the holiday spirit!

why you’ll love this christmas cosmopolitan cocktail

It’s easy to make this festive drink!
This lovely cocktail is a delicious balance of sweet, tart and sour ingredients.
You can make the cranberry-rosemary syrup a month ahead of time.
This recipe can be easily multiplied so you can make a large batch for holiday parties.
Make this holiday drink even more festive with a sparkling sprig of rosemary.

Ingredients Needed to make a Christmas cosmopolitan recipe

Cranberries: you’ll need fresh cranberries to create the cranberry-rosemary simple syrup

Rosemary: you’ll want fresh sprigs of rosemary for the cranberry and rosemary simple syrup, but I recommend having a few extra to garnish your christmas drink.

Sugar: granulated sugar is used to create the cranberry-rosemary simple syrup.

Cranberry Juice: you can’t have a cosmopolitan without cranberry juice! Because of the simple syrup, I recommend using unsweetened / 100% cranberry juice if you can.

Lime Juice: if you can, try to use fresh lime juice. I promise it makes all the difference!

Cointreau: this is my favorite to use in cosmopolitans! Cointreau is a type of triple sec, an orange liqueur, with a slightly sweet and slightly bitter taste.

Vodka: you’ll also need vodka to make a cosmopolitan, so use your favorite vodka.

How to make this christmas cosmopolitan cocktail

Step 1: Make the simple syrup: In a small pot bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring so the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, turn to medium low and keep at a simmer, add the cranberries and rosemary sprigs and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until cranberries just start to burst. Remove from the heat and let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture to remove the cranberries and rosemary. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: To make a Christmas cosmopolitan: To a cocktail shaker add the cranberry-rosemary simple syrup, vodka, cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice and a handful of ice cubes. Shake well for about 20 seconds. Pour into your choice of two glasses (martini glass or coupe) and garnish with a plain or sugared rosemary sprig and/or cranberries.

Expert Tips for making this holiday season cosmopolitan recipe

I love garnishing this cocktail with sugared rosemary for a festive twist! Dip a sprig of fresh rosemary in the simple syrup or just in water, roll in white sugar, then let it dry before adding it as a garnish.
You can garnish the rim of the glass instead of using a rosemary garnish. Simple use some of the simple syrup around the rim of the glass and then press into white sugar for a pretty, sugared rim.
Cosmopolitans are usually served in martini glasses but you can also serve it in a coupe!

Common questions

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?
You can make the simple syrup ahead of time! Once it cools, store in the fridge for up to 1 month. If making a pitcher of Christmas cosmopolitans, mix the ingredients together including the simple syrup and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If desired, shake each Christmas cosmopolitan cocktail over ice before serving which makes the cosmopolitan more refreshing to drink.

What vodka is best for a cosmopolitan?
I like to use a plain vodka in this recipe but to add a bit more of a citrus flair, you could use a flavored vodka like citrus vodka.

How do I make a big batch for a crowd?

If you want to make a larger batch when you’re entertaining, follow this recipe that serves about 6-8 and mix all of the ingredients in a pitcher and stir well.

1 1/2 cups vodka
1 1/4 cups pure cranberry juice
1/2 cup cointreau
3/4 cup cranberry-rosemary simple syrup
1/4 cup lime juice

When ready to serve, set out chilled martini glasses (if desired) or shake each serving in a martini shaker and then pour into martini or coupe glasses to serve!

Perfect food pairings for your christmas cosmopolitan

These Christmas Cosmopolitans are a delicious cocktail when paired with these holiday appetizers –

Easy Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie (holiday appetizer)

Puff Pastry Baked Gruyere with Fig Jam & Rosemary

Easy Roasted Boursin Stuffed Dates with Pistachios

Pair these lighter main dishes with your Christmas Cosmopolitans –

Christmas salmon

Easy One Pot Lemon Orzo Shrimp (30 minute recipe!)

One Pot Marry Me Butter Beans (30 minute recipe!)

How to store

You can store the simple syrup in the fridge for up to 1 month. If making a pitcher of Christmas cosmopolitans, mix the ingredients together including the simple syrup and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Highly recommend shaking each serving of the cocktail over ice before pouring into a martini glass or coupe if the cocktail mixture has been chilling in the fridge for a few days.