Christmas Cosmopolitan

Step aside, Christmas punch—my Christmas Cosmopolitan is the new star in town! I’m taking a classic cocktail and giving it ‘holiday spirit’ with vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger ale and pomegranate juice. Don’t forget the Christmas tree rosemary garnish for an extra festive twist.

This is one of the easiest Christmas cocktail recipes you need to serve if you’re entertaining—it’s perfect for kicking off the festive season in style! You could call it a pomegranate ginger martini, but “Christmas Cosmopolitan” is way more fun!

An old favorite recipe of mine from 2015, and it’s still going strong! I recently added a quick video to demonstrate how to make the holiday-inspired garnish.

A stemless martini glass keeps things classy and cute (and let’s face it, if Grandma’s had a few too many, it’s harder to knock over than a stemmed one). No cocktail shaker needed for this drink—it’s stirred, not shaken, and chilled to Merry Christmas perfection. Make it in a pitcher for a big batch that serves four!

Cosmo Twist

A classic cosmopolitan recipe features vodka, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec), lime juice, and cranberry juice. These Christmas Cosmos put a festive spin on the original by swapping out the orange liqueur for ginger ale. This fizzy sweetener adds a refreshing twist with warm, spicy notes, perfectly complementing the tartness of the lime and pomegranate juices. The result? A bright, festive cocktail with an unexpected burst of flavor!

Pomegranate Juice or Cranberry Juice

Both juices are the perfect color for this drink. (Avoid unsweetened cranberry juice—make sure both juices are sweetened for this true magical recipe to balance out the tart flavors.) Depending on the brand, some pomegranate juices are darker than others, which can result in a deeper red hue.

Christmas Cosmopolitan Options

Go for a flavored vodka, like citrus or mandarin, to add an extra layer of flavor. Not a vodka fan, try gin. To keep this cocktail looking as festive as possible, stick with red juice and avoid white cranberry juice. Be sure to use sweetened juice to balance the tartness perfectly! If you find that it is not sweet enough for you, you can add simple syrup to your desired sweetness level.

Rosemary and Pomegranate Seeds Festive Garnish

This is simple yet striking and a great way to mimic the look of a Christmas tree.

How to make a Rosemary Christmas Tree

Choose a sprig of rosemary with tight, compact leaves (like the one shown below). Use a toothpick to poke a hole through the center of a pomegranate seed, then carefully thread it onto the rosemary sprig. Let the rosemary dry slightly before starting to prevent the leaves from bending while you work.

Festive Cocktail Recipes to Warm Your Holidays

Santa’s Rum Spiked Milk – Who says milk is just for kids? Santa’s Rum Spiked Milk is a grown-up twist and your new holiday season tradition. Combine rich coconut milk, velvety 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 blends the refreshing taste of Pimm’s No. 1 with wintery flavors like apple, caramel and orange.

Apple Sidecar – Add a seasonal twist to the classic Sidecar with this Apple Sidecar recipe. A mix of cognac, apple cider and nutmeg, this cocktail has all the tang and brightness you need to balance out those heavier holiday dishes.