Mistletoe Martini

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Cocktail History

The Mistletoe Martini is a Christmas cocktail that was created in 2022 by Kimberly Salem, recipe developer and blogger at Charming Cocktails based in Long Island, New York.

This holiday twist on the classic Martini keeps the traditional gin and vermouth base but adds seasonal flair with spiced cranberry syrup and cranberry liqueur, giving the drink a delightful tartness and warmth. To deepen the flavor profile, the recipe also replaces standard dry gin with one infused with blackcurrant, adding complexity and a touch of fruity richness. The result is a beautifully balanced, elegant cocktail with a vibrant hue that makes it as visually striking as it is delicious—perfect for toasting the holiday season in style.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Blackcurrant Gin: This is a type of gin made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals, then infusing it with blackcurrants to develop a dark, tart flavor.

Dry Vermouth: This is a type of wine made with white wine and a blend of herbs and botanicals, which are fermented, fortified with a neutral spirit, and then lightly sweetened to develop a crisp, aromatic flavor.

Spiced Cranberry Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cranberry juice, mulling spices, orange zest, cinnamon, and white sugar, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a spiced, tart flavor.

Cranberry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cranberries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a deep, tart flavor.

Cranberries: This is a type of berry grown on low shrubs that has bright pink skin and tart, slightly bitter flavor.

Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 La Crosse Distilling Company Christmas Gin
• 🔗 Dolin Dry Vermouth De Chambéry
• 🔗 Tattersall Distilling Cranberry Liqueur

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Mixing Glass: This is a sturdy glass vessel with a wide opening that’s used for stirring cocktails with ice before straining and serving.

Julep Strainer: This is a round metal strainer with a perforated bowl shape and handle that’s used for straining stirred cocktails from a mixing glass while holding back ice and solids.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring cocktails, layering ingredients, and reaching the bottom of tall glasses and mixing vessels.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender skewer made from metal, wood, or bamboo that’s used for holding cocktail garnishes in place.

Martini Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a wide, V-shaped bowl that’s used for serving stirred, or sometimes shaken, cocktails without ice.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Julep Strainer
• 🔗 Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon
• 🔗 I-MART Gold Metal Cocktail Pick Set
• 🔗 Libbey Art Deco Martini Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Dark red color

• Aroma: Savory rosemary and fruit

• Taste: Fruity flavor with strong herbal gin notes

• Finish: Deep blackcurrant and tart cranberry

Kendall’s Take
“This recipe leans more sophisticated than many of the Christmas cocktails I revisit each year, but it balances a boozier-forward backbone with impressive finesse. The spiced cranberry syrup does a lot of heavy lifting here, adding depth and warm baking spice that elevates the whole experience. Overall, the Mistletoe Martini is festive without being overly sweet—a great option for anyone who wants their holiday drink to feel a little more refined.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Charming Cocktails.