Cosmopolitan Christmas

Move aside the punch – my Christmas Cosmopolitan is the new star in town! I take a classic cocktail and give it a “holiday spirit” with a delicious combination of vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger ale, and pomegranate juice. Don’t forget the iconic Christmas tree rosemary garnish for an extra festive touch. It’s been a holiday favorite here since 2015!

This is one of the simplest Christmas cocktail recipes that you should serve if you’re entertaining: it’s perfect for kicking off the end-of-year celebrations in style! You could call it a pomegranate-ginger martini, but “Christmas Cosmopolitan” is way more fun!

Ingredients

• Vodka
• Lime juice
• Ginger ale
• Pomegranate juice
• Rosemary
• Pomegranate seeds

This is a simple but striking festive garnish and a great way to imitate the look of a Christmas tree. Choose a sprig of rosemary with tight, compact leaves (like the one shown below). Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of a pomegranate seed, then carefully thread it onto the rosemary sprig near the top/center. Let the rosemary dry slightly before starting to prevent the leaves from bending as you work. Cosmo twist

A classic cosmopolitan recipe includes vodka, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec), lime juice, and cranberry juice. Our Christmas Cosmos gives a festive twist to the original by replacing the orange liqueur with ginger ale.

Pomegranate juice or cranberry juice

Pomegranate juice or cranberry juice? Both options give this drink the perfect festive color. (A quick note: Make sure both are sweet to balance the acidity of the lime—avoid unsweetened cranberry juice!) Depending on the brand, some pomegranate juices are darker than others, which can give a darker red hue to your final cocktail.

Cosmopolitan Christmas options

Opt for a flavored vodka, such as citrus or tangerine, to add an extra layer of flavor. Not a fan of vodka, try the gin. To keep this cocktail as festive as possible, choose red juice and avoid white cranberry juice. Make sure to use sweet juice to perfectly balance the acidity! If you find it’s not sweet enough for you, you can add simple syrup to your desired level of sweetness.

How to Make Rosemary and Pomegranate Seed Christmas Tree Trimming

It’s simple but striking and a great way to imitate the look of a Christmas tree. Choose a sprig of rosemary with tight, compact leaves (like the one shown below). Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of a pomegranate seed, then carefully thread it onto the rosemary sprig near the top/center. Let the rosemary dry slightly before starting to prevent the leaves from bending as you work.

More Festive Cocktail Recipes

Santa’s Rum-Enriched Milk: Who said milk is just for kids? Santa’s Rum-Spiked Milk is a grown-up version and your new holiday tradition. Blend rich coconut milk, smooth ice cream and a generous splash of rum for a creamy, indulgent drink.

Pimm’s Winter Cup: The Pimm’s Winter Cup is the holiday cousin of the classic Pimm’s Cup. This hot toddy mixes the refreshing taste of Pimm’s No. 1 with winter flavors like apple, caramel and orange.

Apple Sidecar: Add a seasonal twist to the classic Sidecar with this Apple Sidecar recipe. A blend of cognac, apple cider, and nutmeg, this cocktail has all the spice and sparkle you need to balance out those heavier party dishes.

If you made my Cosmopolitan Christmas, please leave a star rating on the recipe card. You can also ask a question or leave a comment below. Cheers.

Janette is a professionally trained chef based in California who channels her passion for cooking into carefully crafted recipes. His culinary creations are inspired by his English heritage as well as his favorite global cuisines, including Indian and Italian. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more delicious inspiration. Learn more about Janette…