Sure to bring holiday cheer to any gin lover, this Christmas Gin Recipe is a festive delight. Made with the perfect balance of gin, homemade simple syrup with a hint of spice, cranberry juice, and a splash of soda water, these delicious festive cocktails are a great way to celebrate the holiday season.
❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Easy: This recipe is made in two easy steps: the rosemary cinnamon simple syrup, and then the cocktail.
- Tastes amazing: Cranberry, cinnamon, and rosemary laced with gin, this Christmas gin recipe has the perfect flavor for the festive season.
- No extra gadgets needed: No need for a cocktail shaker or any other fancy cocktail-making gadgets. All I used was a shot glass, a tablespoon, and a regular spoon.
- Make a batch: I like to make a batch of 8 at a time to serve at my holiday party every year. It’s such a great option when entertaining a crowd!
- Make it anytime: Although I enjoy this cranberry gin drink at Christmas time, you can really make it any time of year. It’s served over ice so great for a refreshing cocktail in the summer, and it can also be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner table.
🗝️ Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Gin: Pain, unflavored, dry gin with no added sweeteners or sugar. The exact type I used this time was Graveney Gin’s festive fair, but any gin like Hendrick’s will be great!
- Brown Sugar: I made a brown sugar simple syrup by adding equal parts brown sugar and water to a pot on the stove. White sugar, allulose, or coconut sugar can be used to make simple syrup if needed.
- Rosemary & cinnamon: To make the simple syrup a little more special for this festive theme, I added a cinnamon stick and a sprig of fresh rosemary (which reminds me of a little Christmas tree!). I left these festive spices in the simple syrup overnight to really intensify the flavors. It’s delicious!
- Cranberry juice: The fruit of the season, cranberry juice adds the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness. Orange juice, pomegranate juice, or apple juice are good substitutes if needed.
- Club soda: To top it up and add a little fizz I poured in some soda water. Ginger ale (or ginger beer) is a great alternative or even sparkling apple or orange juice.
- Garnishes: I garnish these festive gin cocktails with a few frozen cranberries (to keep it cooler for longer), a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of rosemary. You could also add an orange slice or use fresh cranberries instead of frozen ones. Star anise also always looks great in winter cocktails.
🥣 How to make this Christmas Gin Cocktail Recipe
Simple syrup
1. Heat ingredients: Add the brown sugar and water to a small pot on the stove over low heat, along with the rosemary and the cinnamon stick.
2. Melt: Stir the pot occasionally until the sugar is melted.
3. Cool: Turn off the heat, and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
4. 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.
Christmas Cocktail
1. Add ice: 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.
2. Gin: Pour in a single shot of gin.
3. Simple syrup: Add a tablespoon of rosemary and cinnamon brown sugar simple syrup.
4. Cranberry juice: Pour in the cranberry juice until the glass is half full.
5. Top up: Top the gin mixture up the rest of the way with club soda (or ginger beer).
6. Stir: Stir the ingredients in the glass with a spoon.
7. Garnish & serve: Garnish with a cinnamon stick, fresh rosemary, and frozen cranberries for a festive finish, and enjoy!
🫙 Storage Instructions
Store the simple syrup in an airtight container like a sealed jar or glass bottle in the fridge for up to a month. Remove and discard the rosemary and cinnamon stick no more than a week after making.
🪄 Recipe Notes & Tips
- Stronger flavour: For a stronger flavor, add an extra sprig of fresh rosemary and cinnamon stick to the simple syrup, and leave them in the simple syrup jar for a week.
- Make-ahead: It’s a good idea to make the simple syrup ahead, even one day before you need to serve it. It will last for a month in the fridge.
- Alcohol-free: If you’re looking for a nice nonalcoholic alternative to this recipe, just skip the gin. I highly recommend topping it up with a fiery ginger bug or ginger beer instead of soda water in this case – it makes a difference!
❓ 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 into a rocks glass with ice until the glass is half full. Top up with soda water or ginger beer and serve!
🎄 Looking for more Christmas Cocktail Recipes?
Check out my easy Slow Cooker Mulled Wine Recipe, and my Christmas Margaritas are perfect for any holiday occasion!
😋 More Christmas recipes you will love
- 10 Boozy Christmas Slush Recipes
- Christmas Roast Beef Recipe
- Chocolate Christmas Truffles
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Air Fryer Candied Walnuts
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📖 Recipe
Christmas Gin Recipe
Ingredients
Rosemary & Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 spring fresh rosemary
- 1 cinnamon stick
Christmas Gin Cocktail
- 1 shot of dry gin
- 1 tablespoon Rosemary and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1/4 cup 4 tablespoons Cranberry juice
- Soda water or ginger beer to top up
Instructions
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.
- 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.
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.
- Pour in a single shot of gin.
- Add a tablespoon of rosemary and cinnamon brown sugar simple syrup.
- Pour in the cranberry juice until the glass is half full.
- Top the gin mixture up the rest of the way with club soda (or ginger beer).
- 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
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