Santa Baby

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Cocktail History

The Santa Baby 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. This elegant drink was initially a simple two-ingredient recipe, combining sparkling white wine with cranberry liqueur for a bright and bubbly holiday sip. However, by happy accident, sparkling rosé was used instead of white wine, and the rosé’s delicate floral and fruity notes ended up blending beautifully with the tart, slightly bitter cranberry flavor, creating a nuanced and pleasantly surprising variation. This adaptation adds an extra layer of charm to an already festive cocktail, making it perfect for holiday toasts or celebratory gatherings.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Sparkling Rosé: This is a type of wine made with red grapes and infused with carbon dioxide. I used Victorious Pink Grande Cuvée Sparkling Rosé.

Cranberry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with cranberries, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Tattersall Distilling Cranberry Liqueur.

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.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the RR-RUOSHUI Gold Horse Cocktail Pick Set.

Champagne Stopper: This is a reusable tool that seals an opened bottle of sparkling wine, preserving its carbonation and freshness. I used the Cuisinart CTG-00-CHS Champagne Stopper.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed, shallow, wide-bowled glass that’s designed to enhance aroma and presentation. I used the Mask El Turko Coupe Glass.

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Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Vibrant red-pink color

• Aroma: Fruity cranberry and wine

• Taste: Straightforward dry rosé flavor married to sour cranberry

• Finish: More muted but bright sparkling wine

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I don’t know what I was thinking when I added this cocktail to my calendar because I apparently changed the recipe by swapping out dry sparkling wine for a dry sparkling rosé. I didn’t realize it until after I’d bought the stuff, so I went with the altered version. I enjoy sparkling wine on its own, and adding in a few more ingredients to it is usually a guarantee I’ll like the drink. I wasn’t sure how tart cranberry would mix with sparkling rosé though but knew it was bound to be good. Thank goodness, I was right… Wow, is this tart yet slightly bitter berry a welcome addition to the wine’s flavor profile. I loved this simple cocktail and will be making the Santa Baby again and again, I’m sure.”

Recipe

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

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 2025-01-15.