A festive Christmas Cranberry Martini recipe with a fun holiday twist! Learn how to use a Christmas ornament drink holder, sugared rims, and fruit-filled rosemary ice cubes for a stunning, interactive cocktail your guests will love.
Show-Stopping Cranberry Martini for Holiday Entertaining
Take your holiday cocktails to the next level! This Christmas Cranberry Martini isn’t just a drink—it’s an experience. I’m serving mine in a Christmas ornament drink holder nestled inside a martini glass. Guests get to unscrew the top and pour their own cocktail for a playful, interactive twist!
Add festive flair with ice cubes filled with cranberries, strawberries, and rosemary for a beautiful, holiday-ready presentation. Perfect for entertaining and guaranteed to wow your guests!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Cranberry Cocktail Idea
- Interactive & Fun: Guests get to pour their own cocktail from a Christmas ornament—an entertaining twist that sparks conversation.
- Holiday Ready: Festive ice cubes with cranberries and rosemary make it visually stunning and Instagram-worthy.
- Deliciously Balanced: Sweet, tart, and refreshing flavors combine perfectly for a classic cranberry martini taste.
- Customizable: Use fresh cranberries or strawberries in your ice cubes depending on what’s available, so it works for any holiday party.
- Creative Presentation: The sugared rim, garnishes, and ornament display make it feel special and unique without a ton of work.
Festive Cranberry Martini – Served with a Twist!
As someone who loves creating memorable experiences for guests, I’m all about putting a fun, interactive spin on classic cocktails. This Christmas Cranberry Martini isn’t just delicious—it’s an experience! I love this as an alternative to my usual Cranberry Christmas Sangria that I serve each year.
Here’s how I like to serve this cranberry martini to make it extra fun:
What you’ll need:
- Cranberry Juice (I use Simply Cranberry Cocktail as it’s made with fresh juice and just tastes the best!)
- Vodka
- Cointreau (Orange Liqueur)
- Limes
- Sugar (for rimming the glass)
- Ice cubes with fruit & herbs (recipe below)
- Fresh cranberries or diced strawberries
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Martini Glass
- Ornaments that can hold liquid (I found mine at The Dollar Tree, but you can also get ornaments drink holders online here.)
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Prepare the Sugared Rim:
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass, then dip the rim into sugar to coat evenly.
Make Holiday Ice Cubes:
- In a standard ice cube tray, add a few fresh cranberries or sliced strawberries (either works—strawberries are a great substitute if you can’t find cranberries) and a small rosemary sprig.
- Fill each cube section with water and freeze until solid.
- These festive ice cubes add both flavor and holiday flair to your martini.
Mix the Drink:
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau. Add ice and shake well until chilled. (Print full recipe below)
If you aren’t a fan of cranberry drinks, try this bright red Pomegranate Crush Cocktail or for a fun green drink, make Ugly Sweater Christmas Punch or Grinch Punch.
The Fun Twist:
Pour the martini into a Christmas ornament drink holder. Place the ornament inside the prepared martini glass. Guests can unscrew the top of the ornament and pour the cocktail into their glass—such a fun, interactive touch that will impress everyone!
Serve:
Add a few of your holiday ice cubes to the martini glass, and garnish with extra cranberries or strawberries for a festive look. The rosemary sprig adds aroma and elegance, making it feel truly special.
Cranberry Martini with Sugared Rim
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz Cointreau orange liqueur
- Sugar for rimming the glass
- Ice
Instructions
- Prepare the glass: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a martini glass. Dip the rim into a small plate of sugar to coat it evenly.
- Mix the drink: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, and Cointreau. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake: Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass or drink ornament. Garnish with a lime wheel or fresh cranberries if desired. Add rosemary and cranberry ice cubes if desired.
Notes
Recipe Video
The best martini for the holiday season. Can’t wait to make them for the family!