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.

Print

Easy and Festive Christmas Cosmopolitan Cocktail

This Christmas Cosmopolitan is a festive twist on a classic cosmo. With a cranberry-rosemary simple syrup, it's perfect for the holidays!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword cosmopolitan, holiday cocktail

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 2 cocktails

Author Jess

Ingredients

For the cranberry-rosemary simple syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 cup fresh (or frozen then thawed) cranberries

For two Christmas cosmopolitan cocktails

• 3 oz vodka
• 2 1/2 oz pure cranberry juice
• 1 oz cointreau
• 1 1/2 oz cranberry-rosemary simple syrup
• 1/2 oz lime juice

To make a pitcher of Christmas cosmopolitans

• 1 1/2 cups vodka
• 1 1/4 cups pure cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup cointreau (or substitute with triple sec)
• 3/4 cup cranberry-rosemary simple syrup
• 1/4 cup lime juice

Garnish

• fresh rosemary sprigs or sugared rosemary sprigs

Instructions

Make the cranberry-rosemary 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.

To make two Christmas cosmopolitan cocktails

• 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.

To make a pitcher of Christmas cosmopolitans

• 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!

How to make sugared rosemary for a garnish

• 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.

Notes

• Serving in chilled glasses makes a big difference!
• When making a pitcher for a crowd, it makes a huge difference to shake each serving over ice in a cocktail shaker before serving.

The post Easy and Festive Christmas Cosmopolitan Cocktail appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.

Just one pot, a few classic mulled wine ingredients and my secret ingredient, cranberry juice.

The cranberry juice balances all of the other spiced ingredients beautifully for a warming cup of comfort. Save this recipe for nights at home around the Christmas tree.

I first tried mulled wine on a trip to Europe so you may have heard it referred to as ‘glogg’ in Sweden or ‘gluehwein’ in German.

Mulled wine is so festive for the Christmas season and it’s easy to make. With a bottle of red wine, a couple of fresh ingredients and some key whole spices, you can make this in no time! Picture sitting around the Christmas tree with a warm, cozy drink – it’s pretty perfect if you ask me.

What makes this mulled wine recipe just a tad different is I’ve added cranberry juice! It melds so well with the wine and spices too. So what other ingredients are in this mulled wine recipe?

Mulled Wine Recipe Ingredients

Red Wine: Opt for a fruity, full-bodied red wine like a Zinfandel or Merlot. Tasting notes on the bottle help too so look for descriptions like ‘jammy,’ ‘notes of vanilla,’ or ‘bold.’

Cranberry Juice: I like to use pure cranberry juice (vs. cranberry cocktail) because the pure juice has more of a tart flavour. If you use a ‘cranberry cocktail’ you may want to cut back on the maple syrup a bit.

Fresh Orange Slices: A classic ingredient that adds a bit of a citrus punch.

Whole Spices: The mixture of whole spices is key to mulled wine – cinnamon sticks, star anise & cloves. And, whole spices last quite a while in the pantry so if you invest in some now you can most likely use them for years to come.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup helps to add just a touch of sweetness to balance our the tartness of the cranberry juice and wine once heated. You can try using honey instead if you prefer.

Garnish: Dressing up a warmed cup this drink is the perfect finishing touch. I love to use cranberries, rosemary and cinnamon sticks. You can even add an orange slice in too.

Don’t want to worry about straining out all of the spices once the wine is done cooking? You can wrap all of the spices in cheesecloth and tie with some butchers twine to keep them all together. Simply add to the pot while making the mulled wine and then remove when done.

Print

Easy Mulled Wine

This easy mulled wine recipe is on my holiday absolute-must list. Don't miss out on this recipe for any winter gatherings or parties.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword holiday cocktail, mulled wine

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6 drinks

Author Jess

Ingredients

• 1 bottle red wine (zinfandel or merlot)
• 1 cup pure cranberry juice any cranberry juice will work but if you use a 'cranberry cocktail' lower the amount of maple syrup you use
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 inch piece ginger, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 3 whole cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• 3 whole cloves try 1/4 tsp ground cloves if you don't have whole
• Garnishes: cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, orange slices from the pot of mulled wine
• Optional: 1/3 cup bourbon, 2-3 cardamom pods

Instructions

• Pour wine, cranberry juice and maple syrup into a medium pot and stir to mix. Add bourbon if using.
• Slice ginger and orange and add to pot. Measure spices and add to pot.
• Once all ingredients are in the pot, bring to a simmer over medium heat (look for small bubbles starting to rise to the surface - should take about 5 minutes). Then reduce to medium low and cook for 10 minutes.
• Serve warm with garnishes.

Notes

• Any cranberry juice will work but if you use a 'cranberry cocktail' lower the amount of maple syrup you use
• Need a non-alcoholic version? Try making this recipe by replacing the wine with cranberry juice too.

This easy mulled wine recipe is perfect for a cozy night in or holiday party.

How to enjoy this cozy recipe

• Serve the drink in mugs; simply ladle into mugs and then garnish
• Enjoy mulled wine on a cozy afternoon, by itself after dinner or before dinner with appetizers. Try with my Festive Market Cheeseboard or Pecan Brie Bites.

Need a non-alcoholic version? Try making this recipe by replacing the wine with pure cranberry juice or even a tart cherry juice.

If you love the sound of this recipe, download my free e-Cookbook for a Mulled Apple Cider version that’s super cozy too!

Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess

The post Easy Mulled Wine appeared first on Cooking in my Genes.