Marry This Mistletoe Martini is a festive and refreshing recipe, which is made with cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur. It’s the perfect holiday cocktail, ready in about 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeMistletoe Martini Recipe Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Mistletoe Martini (makes 2):
- 4 fresh cranberries
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. elderflower liqueur (such as St. Germain)
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz. simple syrup
How To Make a Mistletoe Martini
- Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup is clear. Remove from the heat and let it cool completely.
- Prepare the garnish: To make a garnish for each drink, thread a toothpick with 1 cranberry, then 3 fanned-out mint leaves, and finally a second cranberry. Set the two picks aside.
- Shake the cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the cranberry juice cocktail, vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and 1 ounce of the cooled simple syrup.
- Strain and serve: Cover the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds, until the outside is very cold. Strain the mixture evenly into 2 chilled martini or coupe glasses. Garnish each with a cranberry and mint pick and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- What is elderflower liqueur? It’s a sweet, floral liqueur made from elderflower blossoms. The most common brand is St. Germain, which has notes of pear, peach, and grapefruit and adds a sophisticated flavor to cocktails.
- Can I make this ahead of time? For a party, you can mix a larger batch of the cranberry juice, vodka, liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher and keep it in the fridge. When ready to serve, just shake individual portions with ice to get them perfectly chilled.
- Can I make this non-alcoholic? Yes. For a festive mocktail, you can combine the cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Top it off with a splash of elderflower tonic water or sparkling water for fizz.
- How do you get a perfectly chilled martini? The key is to shake with plenty of ice for a full 15-20 seconds. This not only chills the drink but also slightly dilutes it, which is crucial for a balanced cocktail. Chilling your glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes beforehand also helps.
What To Serve With a Mistletoe Martini
This festive cocktail is perfect for a holiday party or Christmas gathering. It pairs wonderfully with classic party appetizers like:
- A baked brie with cranberry sauce
- Shrimp cocktail
- A cheese board with nuts and crackers
- Mushroom and Gruyère tarts
How To Store Simple Syrup
- Refrigerate: The leftover simple syrup is a great cocktail staple. Store it in an airtight container or a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to one month.
Mistletoe Martini Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 martini
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 26g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. For a more botanical, herbaceous version, a good quality gin would be an excellent substitute for the vodka. White rum would also work well.
No, and it’s an important distinction. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweetened and ready to drink. Unsweetened 100% cranberry juice is extremely tart. This recipe is balanced for the sweetness of the cocktail version. If you only have unsweetened, you may need to add a little extra simple syrup to taste.
If you don’t have a shaker, you can combine all the liquid ingredients in a mixing glass or a large jar. Add ice, stir vigorously with a long spoon for about 20 seconds until well-chilled, and then strain it into your serving glasses.
Try More Recipes:
- Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread Recipe
- Leftover Ham, Swiss, and Pear Panini Recipe
- Prickly Pear Margaritas Recipe
Mistletoe Martini Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes5
minutes260
kcalA beautiful, festive holiday cocktail with the perfect balance of sweet and tart, featuring cranberry, vodka, and floral elderflower liqueur.
Ingredients
Simple Syrup: 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water.
Martini: 4 fresh cranberries, 6 fresh mint leaves, 2 oz. cranberry juice cocktail, 2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. elderflower liqueur, 1 oz. fresh lemon juice.
Directions
- First, make the simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in hot water; let it cool completely.
- Make two garnishes by threading cranberries and mint leaves onto toothpicks.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the cranberry juice, vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and 1 oz of the simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into two chilled martini or coupe glasses.
- Garnish with the cranberry-mint picks and serve immediately.
Notes
- Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the best, brightest flavor; do not use bottled juice.
- For the best cocktail experience, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for about 15 minutes before you start.
- Don’t skip shaking the cocktail with ice; this step is crucial for both chilling and properly diluting the drink.
- The simple syrup recipe makes much more than you need for two cocktails; store the extra in the fridge for up to a month for future use.
