This festive Cranberry Gin Christmas Cocktail is always a favorite holiday drink! It is simple to make and full of classic festive flavors. (Non-alcoholic mocktail version available)
Another delicious festive cocktail to try during the holidays is my Easy Gingerbread Cocktail.
A Festive Christmas Gin Cocktail
If you are looking for a simple cocktail recipe for your next festive holiday party or just a tasty drink to enjoy during Christmas time, then this is the recipe for you. This easy-to-make drink is full of flavor and holiday cheer!
The combination of indulgent creaminess, cranberries, maple, and rosemary makes this drink perfect for the holiday season. The festive, wintertime flavors combine beautifully to create a balanced and tasty cocktail.
This cocktail can easily be made ahead of time and stored until ready for serving. You can make this Gin Christmas cocktail in big batches for a holiday party by simply multiplying the recipe provided in this post.
It is also easily adaptable to cater for different preferences and needs. You can adjust the sweetness and the amount of alcohol - you can even make it completely non-alcoholic for a tasty Christmas Mocktail!
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Why make a Christmas Cocktail with Gin?
Most people associate gin as a summer drink. But it is actually great for any time of year and can be used and transformed into all sorts of cocktails.
Such as a festive, wintertime cocktail! Gin is perfect for a Christmas cocktail because it pairs well with so many festive flavors and tart mixers like cranberry juice and it has its own “floral” undertones and flavor of juniper berries.
In the holiday season we all indulge in rich food, so adding gin to your cocktail is a great way to add a refreshing, light note to it. It is also a great option when it comes to classic, creamy Christmas cocktails as it balances them well.
Ingredients & Notes
- Gin. You can use any alcoholic or non-alcoholic gin for this recipe. You can also adjust the amount of gin you add according to your preference. You can also use almost any other base liquor in place of the gin if you prefer. If you have a preference for rum, vodka, or whiskey, try it in this recipe!
- Cream. This gives the cocktail its indulgent, creaminess and creates a base to add yummy flavor to the drink.
- Whole milk. I like to use whole milk for this cocktail recipe - but you could also use any other kind of milk you prefer.
- Maple syrup. The amount you add is dependent on your personal preference.
- Cranberry juice. A splash of 100% cranberry juice for some festive fruity flavor.
- Garnish. I garnish my Christmas cocktail with fresh cranberries and sprigs of fresh rosemary. This gives the drink a festive feeling and adds delicious flavor.
How to make a Cranberry Christmas Gin Cocktail
STEP ONE
Fill serving glasses with ice cubes and cranberries
STEP TWO
In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, cream, milk, maple syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake well.
STEP THREE
Divide the gin mixture between the prepared serving glasses and top with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Enjoy immediately.
Do I have to use a cocktail shaker?
No, you do not need a cocktail shaker to make this Cranberry Gin cocktail. Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small jug or glass beaker instead of using a cocktail shaker.
IS GIN THE HEALTHIEST ALCOHOL?
Gin is one of the healthier types of alcohol. Gin is made from juniper berries, it is low in calories, and due to being made with botanical properties, it adds many health-boosting qualities.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GIN COCKTAIL
- Choose your gin - The quality of the gin will greatly affect the taste of your cocktail. Try the recipe out with a few different types of gin to find your favorite. Different gins all have different flavor undertones and you'll definitely like some more than others. Bombay Sapphire is one of my favorite classic gins to use for most of my gin cocktails.
- Use fresh cranberries - Try to use fresh, top-quality cranberries that are ripe. This will increase the cranberry flavor of your gin cocktail and add a little extra fruitiness. You can also lightly muddle the berries when you add them to the glass to release some extra flavor and juice.
- Make a mocktail. If you skip the gin, you can simply replace it with extra cream to create a nice nonalcoholic alternative for anyone who doesn't drink alcohol. The other option is to replace the alcoholic gin with a non-alcoholic alternative
- Change up the garnish. You could also use a cinnamon stick as a garnish. This will add a slightly spiced, cinnamon flavor to your festive drink!
Cranberry Gin Christmas Cocktail
This festive Cranberry Gin Christmas Cocktail is always a favorite holiday drink! It is simple to make and full of classic festive flavors. (Non-alcoholic mocktail version available)
Ingredients
- 2 shots alcoholic or non-alcoholic gin (adapt according to preference)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup 100% cranberry juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust according to preference)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill serving glasses with ice cubes and cranberries
- In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, cream, milk, maple syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake well.
- Divide the gin mixture between the prepared serving glasses and top with a sprig of fresh rosemary. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
More Gin Cocktail & Mocktail Recipes
- Pineapple & Ginger Gin Cocktail
- Rose & Grapefruit Gin Cocktail
- Fig & Thyme Gin Cocktail
- Easy Cucumber Gin Mojito
- Blueberry Gin Cocktail
- Blueberry Gin Sour
I hope you love this Cranberry Gin Christmas Cocktail recipe as much as I do! And if you want to see more of my delicious food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
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