If you’re looking for a drink that just looks like Christmas, then you will love the Mistletoe Martini. The festive drink is an indulgent fruity Martini with a vodka base, and delicious notes of cranberry and elderflower added to the mix. Serve it with your best holiday dishes and watch the magic happen.
Mistletoe Martini
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker
02
Shake vigorously for around 30 seconds
03
Strain into chilled glasses
04
Garnish with cranberries and mint or rosemary
The best Mistletoe Martini recipe ever
This simple Christmas cranberry cocktail only needs vodka, elderflower liqueur, cranberry juice, and simple syrup. Making this festive cocktail is a (wintery) breeze, and drinking it is even more pleasant. You can’t go wrong with our recipe for the Mistletoe Martini. It’ll be love at first sip.
History of the Mistletoe Martini
The Mistletoe Martini gives a festive outfit to the classic Cosmopolitan, enhancing the wintery flavors with extra cranberry and mint. It’s one of many fruity Martini variations, and its history is a little muddled.
While we’re not sure who invented the Mistletoe Martini, we know that everyone loves it, including discerning mixologists who have given this holiday sipper their own signature twists. One example is Granite City’s Mistletoe Martini recipe which is made up of fruit-infused vodka, raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice, lemon sour, and Champagne.
Variations
The Mistletoe Martini is just one of many festive martinis that you can serve at your holiday parties. Here are some tasty variations to try.
Peppermint Martini
The combination of chocolate and mint is a classic match, and it comes together beautifully in a Peppermint Martini. This velvety cocktail combines vodka, peppermint schnapps, crème de cacao, and heavy cream for the ultimate treat with fresh notes of mint. Garnished with a crushed peppermint candy rim, this festive cocktail will be the cherry on top of your holiday cheer.
Cranberry Martini
The Cranberry Martini is a deliciously festive fuss-free drink to shake up when you have to serve a crowd. Featuring vodka, cranberry juice, Grand Marnier, and lime juice, it brims with all the seasonal flavors we’ve come to love during Christmas.
More cranberry goodness: 13 Cranberry Cocktails for Christmas
Eggnog Martini
It wouldn’t be Christmas without eggnog, and this modern Eggnog Martini recipe is a decadent dessert cocktail that everyone will love. The best part? You don’t have to make your own eggnog, but can use a good quality store-bought eggnog instead. Your secret is safe with us.
Pineapple Martini
If you’re dreaming about summer during the cold winter holidays, then the Pineapple Martini should lift your spirits. Made with vodka, fresh pineapple juice, and a squeeze of lime, it’s a tropical festive drink that will surprise your guests and will tame those cravings for a beach holiday.
Adore pineapple? 15 Totally Tropical Pineapple Juice Cocktails
Make the Mistletoe Martini for a crowd
Making your Mistletoe Martini ahead of time is easy. It saves you a lot of hassle, especially if you’re caught in the kitchen when your guests arrive. Our tip is to calculate how many drinks you’ll need to serve and multiply that by the quantities provided. Once you’ve done the math, mix all the ingredients in a large pitcher (without any ice) and let it chill in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, shake your martinis individually in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Simple, refreshing, and oozing with Christmas spirit.
Read next: Pitcher-Perfect Batching Cocktails for a Crowd
When to serve
Mistletoe Martinis are a festive spin on Cosmopolitans, so you should definitely include them on your Christmas cocktail party menu. We suggest pairing your Mistletoe Martinis with festive roasts and savory snacks or serving them as your signature welcome drink this holiday.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hanging up mistletoe dates back to the Druids, who thought it brought good luck and had healing properties. Today, hanging mistletoe in your house during Christmas symbolizes vitality, fertility, and romance. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to have originated in England in the 1700s and became a popular Christmas custom after it was illustrated in 'A Christmas Carol' published in 1843. The rest, as they say, is history.
