Nothing says holiday cheer like a Christmas gin cocktail. It’s got all the good stuff—warming spices, a pop of cranberry, and a hint of rosemary to keep things classy. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or just toasting to the season solo, this drink is simple, refreshing, and guaranteed to bring a little sparkle to your glass.
This cocktail skips the artificial sweeteners, thanks to homemade rosemary and cinnamon simple syrup. Cranberry juice brings a boost of antioxidants, and using soda water instead of ginger beer keeps it lighter. I like having the option to control the sweetness, especially during the sugar-filled holiday season.
Contents
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Festive flavors: A perfect mix of spice, citrus, and cranberry.
- Easy to make: No complicated techniques—just mix and enjoy.
- Customizable: Swap soda water for ginger beer or adjust the sweetness.
- Party-perfect: Looks stunning and tastes even better.
- Pairs well with holiday food: Great alongside sweet and savory treats.
🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions
- Gin: A dry gin like Hendrick’s works well, but any botanical gin is great.
- Cranberry juice: Tart and refreshing—use unsweetened if you prefer less sugar.
- Rosemary & cinnamon simple syrup: Adds warmth and depth, easy to make at home with brown sugar, rosemary, cinnamon, and water. Swap the brown sugar for white sugar, allulose, or coconut sugar if needed.
- Club soda or ginger beer: Club soda keeps it light, ginger beer gives a spicy kick.
- Garnishes: Fresh rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries for a festive touch.
🥣 How to make a Christmas gin cocktail
- Make the simple syrup: Heat brown sugar, water, rosemary, and a cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Stir until the sugar melts, then let it cool. You can store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a month (or until it begins to turn cloudy). I left my rosemary and cinnamon in the jar for a week to intensify the flavor.
- Prepare your glass: Fill a rocks glass with ice—big cubes melt slower and don’t water down your drink.
- Add the gin: Pour in one shot of gin.
- Mix in flavors: Add a tablespoon of simple syrup and the cranberry juice.
- Top it off: Fill the rest of the glass with club soda or ginger beer.
- Stir and garnish: Give it a quick stir, then add a sprig of rosemary, a cinnamon stick, and fresh cranberries.
🪄 Recipe notes & tips
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh rosemary and real cranberries make a big difference.
- Adjust sweetness: Add more or less simple syrup to suit your taste.
- Make it stronger: Add an extra half-shot of gin if you want a bolder kick.
- Try different sodas: Swap club soda for tonic or prosecco for a bubbly twist.
- Stronger syrup flavor: For a more intense taste, add an extra sprig of fresh rosemary and a second cinnamon stick to the simple syrup. Let them sit in the jar for a week before using.
- Make-ahead: Simple syrup can be made ahead of time, even a day before serving. It keeps for a month in the fridge, so it’s a great prep-ahead option.
- Alcohol-free: Skip the gin for a zero-proof version. I highly recommend using fiery ginger beer instead of soda water—it gives the drink a bold, festive kick!
🫙 Storage instructions
- Simple syrup: Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a month.
- Pre-mixed cocktail: If needed, mix in advance and store in the fridge, but add soda just before serving.
- Garnishes: Keep fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs refrigerated until use.
✨ Variations
- Spiced Negroni: Swap cranberry juice for Campari and add a star anise.
- Cranberry Gin Fizz: Use prosecco instead of club soda for extra sparkle.
- Ginger: Use ginger beer instead of soda water for a spicier taste.
- Mocktail Version: Skip the gin and use extra cranberry juice and ginger beer.
- Citrus: Add a squeeze of fresh orange or lemon juice for extra brightness.
🍽️ What to Serve with This Recipe
- Savory snacks: Cheese board, baked camembert with honey, baked camembert with bacon, smoked salmon, spiced nuts like cinnamon almonds.
- Sweet treats: Gingerbread cookies, dark chocolate coconut clusters, cranberry-orange scones.
- Other drinks: Mulled wine, Christmas margaritas, espresso martini, champagne.
🎄 How to make a large batch (for 8 servings)
If you’re hosting a Christmas dinner party or other holiday parties, you’ll want to make a large batch to serve guests with ease. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12oz (355ml) dry gin
- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) rosemary & cinnamon simple syrup
- 2 cups (500ml) cranberry juice
- Soda water or ginger beer to top up
Mix the gin, simple syrup, and cranberry juice in a large jug. Pour the skinny cocktail into a rocks glass with ice until the glass is half full. Top up with soda water or ginger beer and serve!
❓ Frequently asked questions
What’s the best gin for this cocktail?
A dry gin works best, but Hendrick’s or a botanical gin with citrus and spice notes is great.
Can I use a different sweetener for the simple syrup?
Yes! Honey or maple syrup works well, though it will slightly change the flavor.
What glass should I serve this in?
A rocks glass is best, but a champagne flute works if you use prosecco.
😋 More Christmas recipes you will love
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Gin Cocktail Recipe
Nothing says holiday cheer like a Christmas gin cocktail. It’s got all the good stuff—warming spices, a pop of cranberry, and a hint of rosemary to keep things classy. Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or just toasting to the season solo, this drink is simple, refreshing, and guaranteed to bring a little sparkle to your glass.
Ingredients
Rosemary & Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 cinnamon stick
Christmas Gin Cocktail
- ice cubes
- 1 shot dry gin
- 1 tablespoon Rosemary and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1/4 cup cranberry juice 4 tablespoons
- soda water or ginger beer to top up
Instructions
For the simple syrup:
- Add the brown sugar and water to a small pot on the stove over low heat, along with the rosemary and cinnamon stick.1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, 1 cinnamon stick
- Stir the pot occasionally until the sugar is melted.
- Turn off the heat, and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a month (or until it begins to turn cloudy). I left my rosemary and cinnamon in the jar for a week to intensify the flavor.
For the Christmas Gin Cocktail:
- Begin by placing ice into a rocks glass. I like to use a large ice cube as it melts slower and doesn't water the drink down as much.ice cubes
- Pour in a single shot of gin.1 shot dry gin
- Add a tablespoon of rosemary and cinnamon brown sugar simple syrup.1 tablespoon Rosemary and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- Pour in the cranberry juice until the glass is half full.1/4 cup cranberry juice
- Top the gin mixture up the rest of the way with club soda (or ginger beer).soda water or ginger beer to top up
- Stir the ingredients in the glass with a spoon.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, fresh rosemary, and frozen cranberries for a festive finish, and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh rosemary and real cranberries make a big difference.
- Adjust sweetness: Add more or less simple syrup to suit your taste.
- Make it stronger: Add an extra half-shot of gin if you want a bolder kick.
- Try different sodas: Swap club soda for tonic or prosecco for a bubbly twist.
- Stronger syrup flavor: For a more intense taste, add an extra sprig of fresh rosemary and a second cinnamon stick to the simple syrup. Let them sit in the jar for a week before using.
- Make-ahead: Simple syrup can be made ahead of time, even a day before serving. It keeps for a month in the fridge, so it’s a great prep-ahead option.
- Alcohol-free: Skip the gin for a zero-proof version. I highly recommend using fiery ginger beer instead of soda water—it gives the drink a bold, festive kick!
Storage instructions
- Simple syrup: Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to a month.
- Pre-mixed cocktail: If needed, mix in advance and store in the fridge, but add soda just before serving.
- Garnishes: Keep fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs refrigerated until use.
Nutrition
Calories: 56kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.002gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.004gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.1mg
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