Christmas in a glass? Why not! Made with gin, lemon and cranberry juice, and homemade spiced syrup, this Spiced Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail is a wonderful drink to enjoy over the festive period!
The Thought Process Behind This Christmas Cocktail?
I started thinking about Christmas last summer! Yes, it's true! I am not the person who decorates the house or starts playing Christmas songs until later in December, but I sure do start thinking about it early!
What is the most Christmassy drink? I was thinking to myself... I had this idea to turn a Christmas Pudding into a cocktail, but I wanted something lighter and less sweet! So I thought to myself, why not make a spiced syrup and add it to a cranberry and gin cocktail? I tried it and it was amazing! But I was still wanting something lighter, something that could be enjoyed as a pre-dinner drink, so I topped the glass with some dry and bubbly prosecco and it hit the bullseye!
Lightly spiced, unmistakably tasting of Christmas, but fresh and crisp, our Christmas Cocktail with Prosecco was an instant hit!
And if you love gin in your festive drinks, head straight to 17 Best Christmas Gin Cocktails For The Festive Season.
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What If You Don't Have a Cocktail Shaker?
You will ideally need a cocktail shaker, but if you don't have one and can't justify buying one, here are a few suggestions:
- A thermal coffee mug with a lid tightly screwed on
- A sturdy mason jar
- A smoothie maker glass
Scroll down to see a full list of ingredients, quantities and the method.
What to Do With the Leftover Christmas Spice Syrup?
- My favourite use of leftover syrup is to add a tablespoon of the syrup to your festive Christmas latte coffee. Or hot chocolate!
- Drizzle a tablespoon of the syrup over vanilla ice cream or Greek yoghurt
- Add to banana milkshakes!
How to Make our Christmas Spice Cocktail?
Make Spiced Syrup
In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and a thick strip of orange zest to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gently simmer for 15 minutes, until thickened to a syrupy consistency. Set aside and let the syrup cool completely. Pour through a sieve into a jar and discard the spices. Store in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Make the Cocktail
Pour the gin, spiced syrup, lemon juice and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice cubes and shake until cold. Strain into the champagne flute and top with chilled prosecco.
Other Cocktail Ideas
For other cocktail ideas to enjoy over the festive period, have a look at some of our favourites below:
Spiced Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker (or see notes if you don't have one)
- Champagne Flutes
Ingredients
For the Christmas Spice Syrup (Makes About 200ml):
- 200 g caster sugar
- 200 ml water
- 4 black peppercorns
- 6 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 1 strip orange zest
For One Cocktail:
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml spiced syrup
- 10 ml lemon juice
- 20 ml cranberry juice
- prosecco to top the glass
- ice
Instructions
Make Spiced Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and a thick strip of orange zest to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gently simmer for 15 minutes, until thickened to a syrupy consistency. Set aside and let the syrup cool completely. Pour through a sieve into a jar and discard the spices. Store in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Make the Cocktail:
- Pour the gin, spiced syrup, lemon juice and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice cubes and shake until cold. Strain into the champagne flute and top with chilled prosecco.
Notes
- A thermal coffee mug with a lid tightly screwed on
- A sturdy mason jar
- A smoothie maker glass
Nutrition
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
This is definitely Christmas in a glass. So light and refreshing but with all of those warming flavours too.
Ieva says
Exactly how we wanted this cocktail to be - refreshing but warming! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Jovita says
Such a pretty spiced cocktail! I will definitely make it for my friends
Ieva says
Oh, you definitely should! It's a wonderful winter drink!
Natalie says
You had me at gin and that lovely color of your cocktail! Loved it, thanks!
Ieva says
Thanks, Natalie! 🙂
Dana says
Love these! They'll be perfect for holiday brunches. That Christmas spice syrup is absolute perfection. So warming, yet the drink is still so refreshing with the cranberries and bubbles 🙂
Ieva says
Thanks, Dana! Perfectly summarised 🙂
Toni says
Such a really amazing and refreshing cocktail!
Ieva says
Thanks! 💗