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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 2025-01-22.
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 2025-01-22.
Santa’s Cup
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. It’s a simple variation of the classic Pimm’s Cup recipe that starts with Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, lemon, and soda water just like the original, but this version swaps out the simple syrup for spiced cranberry and the aromatic bitters for some flavored with cherry and baking spices. It then tops off the drink with an array of wintry garnishes.
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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Stir for 5-10 seconds.
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Top with soda water and bitters.
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Stir for 5-10 more seconds.
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Garnish with cranberries, tangerine slice, and mint sprig.
