The sparkle attracts me. After all, what other time of year could I feasibly don a glittery skirt or a light-up snowman sweater and be right on trend? Then, I flash forward to my feelings every year after my family’s four-day, multi-dinner holiday feast extravaganza. The only sparkle I want is the shiny stripe down the side of my sweatpants. Fortunately for us, with cranberry St. Germain cocktails in hand, we’ll be party pretty no matter what we are wearing! The sparkly lime sugar on the rim says so. These Christmas cocktails are not only incredibly refreshing; they’re beautiful. This easy holiday drink recipe will be the finishing special touch to your holiday party spread (or sip one joyfully on the couch while watching your favorite Christmas movie). No matter the occasion (or your attire), I’m certain these cranberry St. Germain elderflower liqueur cocktails will be a smashing success!
How to Make Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail
When the holiday season begins and you start planning festive gatherings, a series of questions may fill your mind. What is the most popular drink at Christmas? What drink will appeal to all my guests? In my opinion, this cranberry St. Germain cocktail is the official drink of Christmas (don’t tell the Christmas Punch).
It’s easy, festive, and instantly makes me feel more elegant.The red color and sparkly green rim are on-point.You can make it in as large of a quantity as you need and prep it in advance, making it an ideal holiday drink for parties.The ingredients are simple: vodka, lime, cranberry juice, and St. Germain. You don’t even have to make simple syrup!
The Ingredients
Vodka. Vodka works well here in this cocktail recipe, because it’s flavorless and lets the other flavor shine. Also, I find that vodka Christmas cocktails tend to be the most universally accepted.St. Germain. If you’ve never tasted it and are wondering what kind of alcohol St. Germain is, it’s an elderflower liqueur. Elderflower tastes mildly floral, delicate, and delightful. It adds an airiness and subtle sweetness to cocktails.
Cranberry Juice. This drink is a bit of a twist on a cosmo, done better. The cranberry is sweet, but not too sweet and fruity. Plus, it’s the perfect shade of red to make the perfect Christmas drink.Lime. Lime pops with the cranberry, and it adds a festive green touch. Use lime juice in the cocktail and the zest to rim the glasses.Frozen Cranberries. A beautiful garnish, and they help keep your drink cool.Sugar. My sweet and fun addition to the rim of the glasses.
The Directions
More St. Germain Cocktail Recipes
Cranberry St. Germain Cocktails with Gin. For a St. Germain gin cocktail, swap gin for the vodka in this recipe. To make it a St. Germain gin and tonic, omit the cranberry juice and add tonic water instead.St. Germain Cocktail Prosecco. For an equally delicious cocktail without the cranberry twist, try my sparkling St. Germain Cocktail, which is made with prosecco or with champagne. You also can top this recipe with a splash of sparkling wine.St. Germain Margarita. Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy St. Germain is in this refreshing St. Germain Margarita. Perfect for fans of creamy Christmas cocktails!St. Germain Martini. Prepare the cocktail as directed, swapping the vodka for gin (or enjoy it as a vodka martini) and adding vermouth. Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. You can omit the cranberry or keep it in for a festive twist. St. Germain Rum Cocktail. Swap the vodka for white rum (be sure to check out my Rum Punch too).
How to Serve Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail for a Crowd
If you’re making this recipe for a large crowd, increase recipe yield as needed to accommodate your guests. Then, pour your prepared drink into a pitcher for easy serving, and chill in the refrigerator until your guests arrive.To Make Ahead. You can mix all the drink ingredients together except the lime juice up to 8 hours before the party and refrigerate until time to serve. Then, cut the limes wedges, add the lime juice, and prepare the sugar mixture about 2 hours before.To Serve. Prepare each cocktail glass by dipping it into the sugar mixture or allow guests to dip their own. Set out the lime wedges and frozen cranberries so guests can garnish their drinks as they please. (I like to dip part of the glasses into the sugar mixture and leave some plain. That way my guests can choose whichever they prefer.)
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Cocktail Shaker. This one is a beautiful stainless steel, and it has a max fill line to prevent overfilling.Jigger. This helps ensure you have the perfectly portioned pour every time.Pitcher. A beautiful way to serve St. Germain and vodka cocktails for a crowd. This one is also nice.
Before your family arrives for the holidays (or tonight when you get home), mix up a big pitcher of these cranberry St. Germain cocktails, shake, pour, and sip.
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