Get festive with our Christmas Martini recipe! With gin, cranberry juice, and lime, it's the holiday cocktail you've been waiting for.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- ½ oz lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries - for garnish, optional
- Lime twist - for garnish, optional
Martini Glass
Cocktail Shaker
Measuring Jigger
Strainer
Chill the Glass: Place your Martini glass in the freezer for a few hours.
Combine ingredients: In the cocktail shaker, add ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz Triple Sec, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 2 oz Gin along with some ice.
Mix Well: Shake the mixture vigorously.
Strain: Remove your glass from the freezer and strain the mixture into the glass.
Garnish: Add a few fresh cranberries or a twist of lime to the glass for garnish.
Substitutes:
- Gin: If gin isn't your spirit of choice or you don't have any on hand, I've successfully swapped it out for vodka. The drink remains smooth but takes on a slightly different character.
- Triple Sec: You can replace Triple Sec with Cointreau if you're after a more refined orange flavor. If neither is available, a splash of orange juice can give you that citrus kick, although the drink might be slightly sweeter.
- Cranberry Juice: Pomegranate juice can be a fantastic alternative. It's a bit sweeter and less tart but still festive!
Making a Pitcher of Christmas Martini:
- Scale: For a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'd need 16 oz of gin, 8 oz of cranberry juice, 4 oz of Triple Sec, and 4 oz of lime juice.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher.
- Serve: Pour the mix into chilled Martini glasses, garnish, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: I recommend a non-alcoholic gin alternative. Many brands offer these, and they replicate the botanical flavor profile nicely.
- Triple Sec Substitute: Opt for an orange-infused simple syrup. You can make this by simmering sugar, water, and orange zest.
- Follow Original Steps: Use these non-alcoholic replacements and proceed as detailed in the main recipe.
Making it Vegan:
Good news! Martini is inherently vegan this Christmas as long as you ensure your Triple Sec or any substitute doesn't contain animal-derived products (some alcoholic products might use animal-derived fining agents). Always check the label or inquire with the manufacturer if unsure.