Christmas Vodka Cocktail

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Our Christmas Vodka Cocktail may be simple to make, but the presentation will wow your holiday guests. We’ve used a simple mix of cranberry vodka and tonic water, but we’ve added a gorgeous garnish made ahead of time that really makes this holiday favorite shine.

Red cocktail in a lowball glass with rosemary, cranberries, and an orange slice on a tray with cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

Our Special Holiday Vodka and Tonic

Once we saw that Deep Eddy had a Cranberry Vodka, we started thinking about holiday cocktails. I drink vodka and soda with a splash of cranberry pretty regularly, but I had never tried cranberry vodka. It’s sweet enough that you really don’t need a sugary mixer, which is why we chose tonic. Soda water is good, too, but between the two, we really loved the tonic.

If you’re a cranberry fan, we think you’ll like this Cranberry Moscow Mule and this Cranberry Mimosa. We make them both every year for holiday parties, and both could be switched up using this cranberry vodka.

What You Need To Make This Festive Cocktail

You’ll only need two ingredients along with our garnish. The garnish is really so simple, but we think it adds a festive touch to this drink.

Ice cube tray filled with fruit, bottle of Deep Eddy Vodka, and bottle of tonic water on brown table.

Cranberry vodka: We used Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka.
Tonic water: Fever-Tree is our go-to tonic.
Large ice cube made with water, an orange slice, fresh cranberries, and a piece of rosemary.

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions.

How To Make Our Christmas Vodka Cocktail

Get ready for the big reveal. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker to make this Christmas cocktail recipe. It’s so easy to create, but turns out so pretty every time!

Step 1: Make your ice cubes by adding water to a large ice cube tray. This is the exact tray I use. Wash the rosemary and dry it very well. This will prevent freezer burn. Add in the fruit and put in the freezer overnight. You can put it in a plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap to further prevent freezer burn.

Ice cube tray filled with fruit on brown table.

Step 2: Add 1 1/2 ounces of cranberry vodka to each lowball glass. Add ice cube.

Red cocktail in a lowball glass with rosemary, cranberries, and an orange slice on brown table with bottle of red liquid, bottle of tonic, and cie cube tray in background..

Step 3: Pour tonic over ice cube.

Enjoy.

Variations and Substitutions

Making the ice cubes with juice is a fun way to switch things up with this Christmas vodka cocktail. Try cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, white grape juice, pomegranate juice, or pineapple juice. As the ice melts, it will add a little more flavor to your drink, and it won’t taste as watered down.

Add a cinnamon stick. Not only will this make the drink a little more festive, but it will add a little holiday spice to this fun cocktail. Mini candy canes would also be a fun garnish.

Try different flavors of vodka, like vanilla vodka mixed with the cranberry vodka. We added a total of 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of vodka per cocktail.

You could also switch up the mixer. Try ginger beer, ginger ale, or lemon lime soda with the cranberry vodka. Trying to save calories? By all means, use a sugar-free mixer. I often drink sugar-free tonic with vodka.

A little Cointreau or Grand Marnier would be a nice addition to this drink, as would an elderberry flavor like Juliette. Ask for recommendations at your local liquor store to see what they suggest to pair with cranberry vodka. They might just have a new idea for you to try as they’re able to sample the latest brands and flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t I just add the fruit and rosemary to the glass without freezing it?

You could, but it won’t look as pretty and it only takes a minute to put together the ice cubes. Unless you’ve come upon this recipe at the last minute and don’t have time for freezing the cubes, you should give it a try.

Is there a difference between cranberry vodka and vodka mixed with cranberry juice cocktail?

Yes! This cranberry vodka is made with Deep Eddy vodka, real cranberries, and pure cane sugar. You won’t find high fructose corn syrup in this cranberry vodka.

Could I make this into a punch?

You could! Just multiply the ingredients for the number of expected guests. I would use juice for the ice cubes if making a batch in a punch bowl so it doesn’t become too watered down.

Could I serve this in a martini glass to make it more festive?

You could, but make smaller fruit filled ice cubes.

More Holiday Cocktail Recipes

Grinch Mimosa

Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail

Cranberry Mimosa Recipe