Mistletoe Martini is a gorgeous, Instagram-worthy holiday cocktail that combines vodka, white cranberry juice, and elderflower liqueur for a refreshing drink with a festive spirit. This elegant martini features a beautiful pale color with a subtle floral sweetness from the elderflower, balanced by the tartness of cranberry and brightened with fresh lime. Garnished with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to resemble mistletoe, this cocktail is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for Christmas parties, New Year’s celebrations, or any winter gathering, the Mistletoe Martini delivers sophistication in a glass. It’s sweet without being cloying, strong without being harsh, and festive without being overly themed. Whether you’re toasting under actual mistletoe or simply enjoying the holiday season, this cocktail sets the perfect celebratory mood.
Serving Quantity: 2 cocktails
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces elderflower liqueur (such as St. Germain)
- 3 ounces white cranberry juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Half ounce simple syrup
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
- White sanding sugar (for rim, optional)
- Lime wedge (for rim)
- Edible glitter or shimmer dust (optional)
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 245
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
1. Prepare the Glasses
If you want a sugared rim for extra festivity, pour white sanding sugar onto a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each martini glass to moisten it. Dip the moistened rim into the sugar, rotating gently to coat evenly. The white sugar creates a beautiful, frosty appearance that looks like snow and adds a sweet crunch to each sip. For an extra magical touch, mix a tiny bit of edible silver glitter or shimmer dust with the sugar before rimming. Place the prepared glasses in the freezer for a few minutes to chill while you make the cocktails. Cold glasses keep the martini perfectly chilled longer.
2. Prepare the Garnish
Thread 3 to 4 fresh cranberries onto a cocktail pick or small skewer. The bright red cranberries add a pop of festive color and look beautiful against the pale cocktail. Rinse fresh rosemary sprigs and pat them dry. Choose sprigs with a nice shape that resemble mistletoe branches. You can lightly slap the rosemary between your hands to release its aromatic oils, which adds a wonderful herbal scent to the drink. Set the garnishes aside within easy reach for when you’re ready to serve.
3. Combine Ingredients in Shaker
Remove your prepared glasses from the freezer. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, filling it about halfway. The ice should be fresh and cold for proper dilution and chilling. Add the vodka, elderflower liqueur, white cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. The combination of these ingredients creates layers of flavor with the floral elderflower, tart cranberry and lime, and smooth vodka all working together. The simple syrup balances the tartness and brings everything into harmony.
4. Shake Vigorously
Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker tightly. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds. You want to shake hard enough that you hear the ice really moving around and the outside of the shaker becomes frosty cold. This thorough shaking chills the cocktail completely, dilutes it just enough to mellow the alcohol, and creates a slightly frothy texture on top. The vigorous shaking also fully combines all the flavors. You’ll know it’s ready when the shaker is so cold it almost hurts to hold.
5. Strain into Glasses
Place a cocktail strainer over the shaker or use the built-in strainer if your shaker has one. Carefully strain the cocktail into your prepared chilled martini glasses, dividing it evenly between the two. The liquid should be clear and pale with a slight cloudiness from the shaking. Leave the ice behind in the shaker. Pour slowly and steadily to avoid disturbing the sugared rim if you made one. The cocktail should fill each glass about three-quarters full with a beautiful pale pink or champagne color.
6. Add Garnishes
Place the cranberry skewer across the rim of each glass or drop it into the cocktail. Add a fresh rosemary sprig to each glass, either laying it across the top or standing it upright in the drink. The rosemary should look like a mistletoe branch with the cranberries representing the berries. If using edible glitter or shimmer dust, sprinkle just a tiny pinch over the surface of each drink for a magical, sparkly effect. The garnishes make these cocktails look festive and photo-worthy.
7. Serve Immediately
Serve the Mistletoe Martinis immediately while they’re ice cold. Martinis are best enjoyed fresh and shouldn’t sit for long or they’ll warm up and become diluted. Encourage guests to gently press the rosemary sprig against the glass or give it a light squeeze before sipping to release its aromatic oils. The herbal scent enhances the drinking experience. These cocktails are perfect for toasting, celebrating, or simply enjoying the holiday spirit with friends and family.
Tips for Perfect Mistletoe Martinis
Use good quality vodka for the smoothest taste. Mid to high-end vodka makes a noticeable difference in cocktails where vodka is a primary ingredient.
White cranberry juice is less tart and has a prettier pale color than regular cranberry juice. Find it in the juice aisle near regular cranberry juice. If unavailable, use regular cranberry juice but reduce the amount to 2 ounces.
Fresh lime juice is essential for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice tastes artificial and flat. Squeeze limes just before making the cocktails.
St. Germain elderflower liqueur is the most common brand and has the perfect balance of floral sweetness. Other elderflower liqueurs work too but may have different sweetness levels.
Adjust the sweetness to your preference. If you like drier martinis, reduce or omit the simple syrup. For sweeter cocktails, add an extra half ounce of simple syrup.
Make these in batches for parties by multiplying the recipe and combining everything except ice in a pitcher. Shake individual servings with ice as guests arrive.
For a sparkling version, reduce the white cranberry juice to 2 ounces and top each cocktail with 1 ounce of prosecco or champagne after shaking and straining.
Gin can replace vodka for a more botanical, complex flavor profile. The gin’s juniper notes complement the elderflower beautifully.
Freeze cranberries ahead of time to use as ice cubes that won’t dilute the drink. They look beautiful and keep the cocktail cold.
The rosemary garnish isn’t just decorative. The aromatic oils add subtle herbal notes that enhance the floral elderflower and tart cranberry.
Make a non-alcoholic version by replacing vodka with lemon-lime sparkling water and elderflower liqueur with elderflower syrup or cordial. Add extra lime for brightness.
Chill all ingredients before mixing for the coldest possible cocktails without excessive dilution from melting ice.
For a pink version, use regular red cranberry juice instead of white. The flavor is more tart but the color is vibrant and festive.
Infuse your vodka with vanilla bean or citrus peel for extra flavor complexity. Let it sit for 3 to 5 days before using.
These cocktails pair wonderfully with light holiday appetizers like cheese and crackers, smoked salmon, or stuffed mushrooms. The acidity cuts through rich foods.
Double strain through a fine mesh strainer for a crystal-clear martini without any ice chips or pulp. This creates the most elegant presentation.
Add a splash of pomegranate juice for a deeper pink color and slightly different tart flavor. Garnish with pomegranate seeds instead of cranberries.
Make sugared rosemary by brushing sprigs with simple syrup and rolling in sugar. Let dry before using as a stunning, sparkly garnish.
Store leftover elderflower liqueur in the refrigerator after opening. It lasts for months and is wonderful in many cocktails, lemonade, or drizzled over fruit.
Serve in coupe glasses instead of traditional martini glasses for a vintage, elegant look that’s also easier to hold and less likely to spill.
