Christmas Sidecar | A Festive Cranberry and Brandy Cocktail

Traditionally a citrus-flavoured cocktail made with cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, Sidecar was always one of my favourites. To give it a Christmassy twist, we added cranberry flavours to the cocktail for a bit of extra festive cheer! We hope you enjoy our Festive Cranberry Brandy Cocktail as much as we do!

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A Special Brandy Christmas Cocktail

We hardly ever make cocktails at home, but when we do, it is for a very special occasion, like Christmas! Whilst my personal favourite is a good old-fashioned Negroni, this Christmas Sidecar comes a close second. With bittersweet triple sec, the woodiness of the brandy and tartness from the cranberries and lime, this cocktail has it all! It’s like Christmas in a glass…

Ingredients for Cranberry Brandy Cocktail

What makes a good cocktail? Ingredients that you like, the perfect balance of quantities used, and, most importantly, a good company to have the cocktails with.

• cranberry juice: you may use the reduced-sugar option in this Christmas Brandy Drink recipe.
• caster sugar: also known as superfine sugar.
• brandy: or Cognac.
• triple sec: like Cointreau.
• lime juice: freshly squeezed.

My personal favourite is Volare Triple Sec Classic Liqueur paired with good old Courvoisier. Any cranberry juice will do but I do like to crush a few of the fresh ones in with the shop-bought juice to add some extra tartness. You will also need some sugar to make the cranberry syrup.

Scroll down to the recipe card to see a full list of ingredients, quantities and the method.

How To Decorate Cranberry Sidecar Glass?

We love decorating the edge of martini glasses for the WOW factor. To recreate the look in the photos, you will need some granulated sugar (not fine caster sugar) and lime zest. Simply dip the rim of the glass into one of the liquid ingredients (I dipped them straight into brandy), then roll in the sugar and zest mixture.

Equipment Needed

You will ideally need a cocktail shaker to make this Christmas Brandy Drink, 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 

Other Christmas Drink Recipes

If you enjoyed our Cranberry Sidecar, let us know in the comments below. For other ideas for this Christmas, have a look at our Christmas recipe collection, here. But if you are looking for more ideas for your Christmas drinks, below are our favourites:

• Spiced Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail
• Passionfruit Martini (Cocktail and Mocktail)
• Christmas Eggnog Latte | Just Like in a Coffee Shop

Recipe Card

Christmas Sidecar | A Festive Cranberry and Brandy Cocktail

Traditionally citrus-flavoured cocktail made with cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, Sidecar was always one of my favourites. To give it a Christmassy twist, we have added cranberry flavours to the cocktail for a bit of extra festive cheer!

4.91 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Christmas

Servings 2 cocktails

Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

• Cocktail Shaker (or see notes if you don't have one)

Ingredients

 

MetricUS Customary

 

1x2x3x

Cranberry Syrup (makes enough for approx. 2 cocktails):

• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 30 g caster sugar

For Two Cranberry Sidecar Cocktails:

• 50 ml cranberry syrup
• 120 ml brandy
• 75 ml triple sec
• 75 ml lime juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

 

Make Cranberry Syrup:

• Mix cranberry juice and caster sugar in a ratio of 1:1 in a small saucepan. Stir to dissolve the sugar, bring to the boil and take off the heat. Leave to cool down completely.

Make Cocktails:

• Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with 4 cubes of ice and shake. Pour into martini glasses.

Notes

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker 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 

 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 19IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.1mg

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