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Cocktail History
The Under The Mistletoe is a Christmas cocktail that was created at Big Bar in Chicago, Illinois. The recipe draws inspiration from the classic Cranberry & Soda but elevates the template with thoughtful, festive ingredients meant to capture the essence of the Christmas season. It starts with a muddling of tart cranberry and zesty orange in simple syrup, allowing the fresh, bright flavors to meld. This base is then complemented with splashes of dry gin and cranberry juice, both of which provide a crisp and slightly aromatic depth to the drink. And finally, it’s topped with fizzy club soda to give it a light, effervescent finish that makes it refreshing and easy to sip. With its balance of sweet, tart, and citrusy flavors, the Under The Mistletoe is an ideal choice for holiday gatherings, offering a sophisticated yet approachable beverage perfect for toasting with friends and family during Christmastime.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Club Soda: This is a carbonated water that’s been infused with minerals to give it a salty flavor. I used Polar Premium Club Soda.
London Dry Gin: This is a type of gin made with juniper berries, botanicals, alcohol, and water that has been infused with flavor through redistillation without artificial ingredients or colors. I used Broker’s Premium London Dry Gin.
Cranberry Juice: This is a tart, bright red juice made with cranberries. I used Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I used this stovetop recipe.
Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.
Orange Slice: This is a slice of an orange that’s been cut into a half wheel shape.
Thyme Sprig: This is a small branch of the thyme herb with tiny green leaves and an earthy 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.
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.
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.
Muddler: This is a tool that’s used to crush or mash ingredients at the bottom of a glass to release their flavors. I used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.
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.
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.
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 Dorothy Thorpe Highball Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright red-pink hue with an ombré effect
• Aroma: Orange, cranberry, and rosemary
• Taste: Straightforward cranberry-tart taste that’s accented with herbal gin
• Finish: Some sweetness from the syrup and cranberry for balance
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “This drink was described to me as something I could order in a dive bar year-round, and that’s pretty much exactly the phrase I’d use too. There’s nothing super surprising or complex about it, which means it’ll probably go over very well with gin drinkers, especially since the recipe will taste radically different depending on the brand you use. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite of the Christmas cocktails I have tried over the years, but the Under The Mistletoe gets a solid three stars from me.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Liquor.com, an online beverage publication.
Under The Mistletoe
The Under the Mistletoe is a festive gin cocktail from Big Bar in Chicago, Illinois that brightens up cranberry and orange with a sparkling finish. Light, refreshing, and easy to sip, it’s a cheerful twist on classic holiday flavors.
Ingredients
Method
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Add four cranberries, orange slices, and simple syrup to a highball glass.
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Using a muddler, gently muddle for 5-7 seconds.
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Add gin, cranberry juice, and cubed ice to the glass.
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Top with club soda.
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Using a bar spoon, gently stir for 3-5 seconds.
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Garnish with remaining three cranberries and thyme sprig.
