The Mistletoe Cocktail: Our Favorite Sweet, Tangy, and Festive Holiday Sip

(By Jason Griffith)

Introduction 🥂

The holidays are all about warmth, cheer, and, let’s be honest, good drinks. While I love a rich glass of eggnog or a mug of hot cocoa, sometimes you need a cocktail that truly sparkles and captures the vibrant spirit of the season. Enter The Mistletoe Cocktail.

This drink is the epitome of holiday joy in a glass—sweet, tart, fizzy, and perfectly colored for a Christmas gathering. With a gorgeous balance of vodka, bright cranberry, zesty lime, and a hint of orange liqueur, it’s refreshing enough to cut through the heavy richness of holiday appetizers yet festive enough to feel special. It’s an easy-to-master cocktail that guaranteed to earn you compliments and, perhaps, inspire a little holiday mischief under the nearest mistletoe.

Why I Love This Recipe

I’ve spent years refining holiday cocktails, and this Mistletoe version stands out for a few reasons:

• Festive Appearance: The ruby-red color from the cranberry juice, topped with the crisp green of rosemary and white of sugared cranberries, makes it look like a piece of edible Christmas décor. It’s Instagram-ready the second it’s poured.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavor: It avoids the pitfall of being too sweet or too strong. The lime juice provides essential tang, and the club soda lifts the whole profile, making it dangerously easy to sip.
• Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a simple recipe that uses ingredients readily available during the holiday season. It’s also easily scalable, meaning you can whip up a big batch for a party—much like the perfect, easy-to-share appetizer, like my recipe for a great crockpot nacho dip.
• Customizable: You can tweak the sweetness, the type of spirit, or the fizz factor easily to match your guests’ preferences.

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Mistletoe Cocktail Recipe

This recipe is designed for a single serving, but the instructions below include notes on how to scale it up.

Ingredient	Measurement	Notes
Vodka (Plain or Cranberry-Infused)	1 ½ oz	Use a mid-range or premium vodka for the best flavor.
Cranberry Juice	1 oz	Look for 100% juice or cranberry cocktail.
Triple Sec or Orange Liqueur	½ oz	Cointreau or Grand Marnier works great, too.
Fresh Lime Juice	½ oz	Freshly squeezed makes all the difference!
Simple Syrup (optional)	½ oz	Adjust to taste based on the tartness of your cranberry juice.
Club Soda	1 oz	Or sparkling water, for that perfect effervescence.
Ice Cubes	For shaking and serving
Garnish (Optional)	Sugared cranberries and a rosemary sprig	The perfect festive touch.

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Swaps and Notes

• Vodka Alternative: For a different twist, try replacing the vodka with white rum or even a clean, dry gin for a more herbal note.
• Non-Alcoholic Version (Mocktail): Skip the vodka and Triple Sec. Increase the cranberry juice to 2 oz, the simple syrup to 1 oz, and the club soda to 2 oz.
• Simple Syrup Substitute: You can use maple syrup or agave in equal amounts for a refined sweetness, though simple syrup is traditional.
• Lime Juice: While fresh is always best, bottled lime juice works in a pinch, but you may need a little extra to balance the flavors.

How to Make It: Step-by-Step

This is a simple, shaken cocktail that comes together in minutes.

Step 1: Prep the Shaker

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. You need plenty of ice to ensure the cocktail gets properly chilled.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

Add the 1 ½ oz vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz Triple Sec, ½ oz fresh lime juice, and ½ oz simple syrup (if using) into the shaker.

Step 3: Shake

Place the lid on the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds. The outside of the shaker should be frosty and very cold. This ensures the ingredients are perfectly mixed and chilled.

Step 4: Strain and Top

Fill your serving glass (a coupe, martini glass, or rocks glass works well) with fresh ice. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass. Top with the 1 oz of club soda for that necessary fizzy finish.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with the sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately and enjoy the cheer!

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Tips for Success

• The Power of Fresh Lime: I cannot stress this enough—freshly squeezed lime juice is a game-changer. The vibrant, slightly acidic edge is what prevents this cocktail from tasting flat or overly syrupy.
• Pre-Chill Your Glasses: For an extra-cold, luxurious experience, put your serving glasses in the freezer for 15–30 minutes before mixing the drink.
• Make it a Punch: To serve a crowd, multiply the ingredients by the number of servings needed (leaving out the club soda). Mix everything in a large pitcher and store it in the refrigerator. Just before serving, pour the chilled mixture over ice and top each glass with club soda individually to keep the fizz fresh.
• Sugared Cranberry Hack: To make sugared cranberries, simply roll them in simple syrup, let them dry slightly, and then toss them in granulated sugar. They look like little edible ornaments!

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This festive cocktail pairs beautifully with holiday appetizers and celebratory desserts.

• Appetizers: The crisp acidity of the Mistletoe Cocktail works wonders against rich, salty starters. Try pairing it with classic charcuterie, Baked Brie Appetizer, or even a warm, cheesy dip like my Beer Cheese Dip.
• Dinner Pairings: If serving this with dinner, opt for lighter holiday fare, such as roasted chicken or turkey breast, rather than heavy red meat.
• Dessert Complements: The cranberry tartness is a wonderful counterpoint to rich chocolate desserts. Consider pairing it with a slice of No-Bake Oreo Cream Pie or classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Estimated)

• Calories: 150–180 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 18–25 g
• Alcohol: Approx. 1.8–2.0 standard drinks (based on 40% ABV vodka and liqueurs)

Note: This is a loose estimate and will vary significantly based on the specific brands of vodka, cranberry juice (cocktail vs. 100% juice), and whether simple syrup is added.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Cocktails are best enjoyed immediately! However, if you are making a batch ahead of time (as suggested in the Tips for Success section):

• Mix Base Only: Combine all ingredients except the club soda in a large sealed container.
• Refrigerate: Store the base mix in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Serve Fresh: When ready to serve, pour the chilled base over ice and top with fresh club soda to maintain maximum fizz.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoyed the bright, refreshing, and festive notes of the Mistletoe Cocktail, be sure to check out these other favorite sips and treats:

• For another fantastic, fruit-forward celebratory drink, try this beautiful Rainbow Sangria.
• Looking for a classic, simple cocktail? My Classic Margarita Recipe is a year-round winner.
• For warm-weather vibes or a lighter drink, you can’t go wrong with a Refreshing Strawberry Mojito.
• If you’re serving a younger crowd (or need a delightful non-alcoholic punch base), this Blueberry Lemonade is always a hit.
• And if you are more of a dessert-drink person, give The Slippery Drank a look!

Final Thoughts

The Mistletoe Cocktail is more than just a drink; it’s a mood. It brings an instant burst of holiday cheer and sophistication to any gathering, big or small. Its simple composition belies its complex, delightful flavor, making it the perfect signature drink for your next holiday party.

Did you try this Mistletoe Cocktail? I’d love to know what you thought! Leave a comment below or tag us on social media with #ChefManiacEats. Cheers to a very merry season!