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Cocktail History
The Santa’s Cup is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Like the original, it starts with Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur, fresh lemon, and soda water, but this holiday variation adds a seasonal spin by replacing the simple syrup with spiced cranberry syrup. The traditional aromatic bitters are also swapped out for some flavored with cherry and warm baking spices, bringing a cozy, wintry depth to the drink. To complete its holiday flair, it’s then adorned with an assortment of festive garnishes, making the cocktail both a visual and flavorful celebration of the season.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. I used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water.
Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in England with herbs, spices, caramelized oranges, and alcohol.
Lemon Juice: This is the tart, acidic liquid extracted from lemons. I used fresh lemon juice.
Spiced Cranberry Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cranberries, baking spices, white sugar, and water.
Cherry, Clove, & Cinnamon Bitters: This is a food product made with cherry, cloves, cinnamon, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Crude Bitters & Sodas “Attawanhood” Cherry, Clove, & Cinnamon Bitters.
Tangerine Slice: This is a slice of tangerine that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.
Mint Sprig: This is a sprig of fresh, aromatic leaves from the mint plant.
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.
Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
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.
Tweezers: These are a precision tool that’s used for placing delicate garnishes. I used one from the Stainless Steel Food Tweezers Set.
Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Gold Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers. I used the Riedel Drink Specific Highball Glass.
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 2025-10-17.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Pink-red color with an ombré effect
• Aroma: Mint and citrus
• Taste: Fizzy water with a slightly spiced, tart cranberry flavor accented with the Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur’s herbal mixture
• Finish: Accenting notes of mulling spices and citrus for balance
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “I absolutely love the classic Pimm’s Cup and was really excited to find a variation I could try at Christmas. You don’t see riffs on this template enough, in my opinion. Although this one’s made with simple tweaks, I really loved how the cranberry mixed with the Pimm’s Liqueur. It was delicious and still tasted true to the original Pimm’s Cup, which I really loved. Give this one a try if you’ve got a bottle of the liqueur around!”
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 2025-10-17.
Santa’s Cup
The Santa’s Cup, crafted by food writer Jessica Strand, is a holiday take on the classic Pimm’s Cup. Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, fresh lemon, and soda are brightened with spiced cranberry and cherry-and-baking-spice bitters, then topped off with festive garnishes for a drink that’s as cheerful and wintry as it is refreshing—a dazzling toast for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Method
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Add Pimm's No. 1 liqueur, lemon juice, spiced cranberry syrup, and cubed ice to a highball glass.
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Using a bar spoon, stir for 5-10 seconds.
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Top with soda water and bitters.
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Using a bar spoon, stir for 5-10 more seconds.
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Garnish with cranberries, tangerine slice, and mint sprig.
