Santa Clausmopolitan Recipe

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This Santa Clausmopolitan Recipe is a festive Christmas twist on the classic Cosmopolitan cocktail! Made with vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, this delicious holiday drink is served in a martini glass with a sparkling white sugar rim and fresh cranberry garnish.

Also known as a Clausmopolitan, this pretty red Christmas cocktail is perfect for holiday parties, Christmas Eve celebrations, or festive gatherings with friends. It’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, and you can even prepare a large batch for a crowd!

If you love cranberry cocktails and festive Christmas martinis, this Santa Claus cocktail is a must-try for the holiday season.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or enjoying a cozy Christmas movie night at home, a festive drink makes the occasion even sweeter! Find more delicious ideas in our roundup of easy Christmas cocktail recipes.

What Is a Santa Clausmopolitan?

A Santa Clausmopolitan, sometimes called a Clausmopolitan, is a festive holiday version of a classic Cosmopolitan cocktail. It combines vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice for a refreshing, slightly tart cranberry cocktail.

Our Christmas version gets an extra festive touch from a sparkling white sugar rim and fresh cranberries. The bright red color makes it a beautiful cocktail for Christmas parties, and serving it in a martini glass gives it an elegant holiday presentation.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. vodka
• 3 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• Ice
• 1/4 cup fresh cranberries for garnish
• 1 lime wedge for rimming the glasses
• White sanding sugar for the rim

Directions:

Step 1: To rim your glass, add a shallow layer of sanding sugar to a saucer or shallow dish. Then, run a lime wedge around the edge of the glass, and dip into the sanding sugar.

Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and add vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice. Shake to combine and chill.

Step 3: Pour into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with fresh cranberries.

How to Make a Large Batch of Santa Clausmopolitan Cocktails

Hosting a Christmas party? You can easily make a pitcher of Santa Clausmopolitan cocktails ahead of time!

To make approximately 4 cocktails, combine:

• 1 cup vodka
• 1 ½ cups cranberry juice
• ½ cup triple sec
• ½ cup fresh lime juice

Stir everything together in a large pitcher and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

When it’s time to enjoy, prepare your glasses with the white sanding sugar rim, then pour the chilled cocktail mixture into a shaker with ice in batches. Shake well, strain into the prepared glasses, and garnish with fresh cranberries.

You can double or triple the ingredients for a larger Christmas party!

Tips and Substitutions

• Use cranberry juice cocktail for a sweeter drink. We used sweetened cranberry juice cocktail in this recipe. If you’re using unsweetened cranberry juice, you may want to add a little simple syrup to balance the tartness.
• Fresh lime juice is best. Freshly squeezed lime juice gives this Christmas Cosmopolitan a bright, refreshing flavor.
• Try different garnishes. Fresh cranberries are beautiful for Christmas, but you can also add an orange twist, lime slice, or a small sprig of rosemary.
• Use your favorite orange liqueur. Triple sec works perfectly, but Cointreau is another great option.
• Chill your glasses. Place your martini glasses in the refrigerator before preparing the cocktails to help keep the drinks nice and cold.
• Make it ahead for parties. Combine the liquid ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate. Shake with ice and garnish just before serving for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Santa Clausmopolitan the same as a Cosmopolitan?

A Santa Clausmopolitan is a festive Christmas variation of a classic Cosmopolitan. Both cocktails are made with vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Our holiday version adds a sparkling sugar rim and fresh cranberries for a beautiful Christmas presentation.

Can I make a Santa Clausmopolitan ahead of time?

Yes! You can combine the vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and fresh lime juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Shake individual portions with ice, then strain into your prepared glasses and garnish with fresh cranberries.

Can I serve this as a Santa Claus Martini?

Absolutely! This Christmas cocktail is already served in a martini glass, making it a fun option for anyone looking for a festive Santa Claus martini. The bright red cranberry cocktail and sparkling white sugar rim are perfect for holiday celebrations.

For a printable version of this Santa Clausmopolitan recipe, see our recipe card below-

You might also like these other delicious holiday cocktails-

Dirty Snowman Drink

Christmas Cookie Cocktail

White Christmas Margarita

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