Poinsettia Cooler Cocktail Recipe
Poinsettia Cooler Cocktail Recipe

Poinsettia Cooler

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Cocktail History

The Poinsettia Cooler is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in her book Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Inspired by the iconic poinsettia flower, which is native to Central America and a hallmark of Christmas decorations, this recipe pays homage to the plant’s origins by using tequila as its base. The agave spirit is then beautifully complemented by tart cranberry, a tangy homemade shrub, and fresh lime juice, creating a zesty and refreshing holiday drink that’s as flavorful as it is colorful.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with blue agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged from two to twelve months. I used Casamigos Tequila Reposado.

Cranberry Juice: This is a tart, bright red juice made with cranberries. I used Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.

Cranberry Shrub: This is a mixer made with cranberries, aromatics, sugar, and vinegar. I used this stovetop recipe.

Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.

Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.

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 to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used a thrifted rocks glass.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Two sided – flip for different measurements; Soft, non-slip grip for comfortable pouring; Permanent laser-etched measurements won’t wear off
$11.99 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
Sturdy, stainless steel blade; Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle ensures a safe grip; Hand wash with warm, soapy water and promptly dry
$11.99 Amazon Prime
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
BLACK+DECKER 32oz Electric Citrus Juicer, CJ625, Pressure Activated, Adjustable Pulp Control, Dishwasher-Safe
Auto-reversing juicing cones provide maximum juice extraction; Drip-Free Pour Spout – The container doubles as a pitcher, complete with handle and spout
$26.99 Amazon Prime
I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks Martini Picks Set (Pack of 15)
I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks Martini Picks Set (Pack of 15)
Measure: 4.25″; Material: stainless steel 304, color: silver; Reusable martini olive skewers, stainless steel olive stuffer.
$6.98 Amazon Prime
Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses, 10.5 oz (Set of 12) -
Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Old Fashioned Whiskey Glasses, 10.5 oz (Set of 12) –
Pack of 12 small clear glasses; made in the USA; Dishwasher Safe; 10.5- Fl ounce capacity
$26.87 Amazon Prime
Marquis by Waterford Crosby Double Old Fashion, set of 4
Marquis by Waterford Crosby Double Old Fashion, set of 4
Marquis by Waterford Crosby Collection; Made from Genuine Crystalline; 10 ounce Capacity; Perfect for Everyday Use and Entertaining

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.

Poinsettia Cooler Cocktail Recipe

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

Appearance: Alluring pink-red color

• Aroma: Vinegar and agave

• Taste: Tart cranberry flavor balanced by sour shrub, aged agave, and lime

• Finish: Sweet yet bitter cranberry

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “My lips puckered up with just one taste of this refreshing cocktail. The cranberry shrub is really the linchpin in this recipe; it wouldn’t be the same without its tangy vinegar flavor because it balances the tart and somewhat bitter cranberry so well. Tequila was also a good choice for a base spirit, in my opinion. It adds an interesting agave twist, but I did wonder what gin would taste like as well. If you want a light, cool drink at the holidays, add the Poinsettia Cooler to the menu. It’s really great, and the shrub gives it a wonderfully weird, thirst-quenching effect!”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand.

Sale
Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season
Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season
Hardcover Book; Strand, Jessica (Author); English (Publication Language); 128 Pages – 09/22/2020 (Publication Date) – Chronicle Books (Publisher)
$17.36 Amazon Prime

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.

Poinsettia Cooler

The Poinsettia Cooler is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in her book Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. It was inspired by and named for the seasonal flower indigenous to Central America that dons holiday displays at Christmastime. As a nod to the poinsettia's origin, the recipe uses tequila as a base and pairs the agave spirit with tart cranberry juice, a tangy homemade shrub, and lime juice to make one zesty and beautiful drink perfect for the holidays.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 245 Best Season: Christmas

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add tequila, cranberry juice, cranberry shrub, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.

  2. Shake for 10-20 seconds.

  3. Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cracked ice.

  4. Garnish with cranberries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Ritual Zero-Proof Tequila Alternative in place of the tequila to try a mocktail version of this drink.

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About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.