Under The Mistletoe Cocktail Recipe
Under The Mistletoe Cocktail Recipe

Under The Mistletoe

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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.

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
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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
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8' Long Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddlers by HQY, Muddler
8″ Long Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddlers by HQY, Muddler
◆DISHWASHER SAFE. So feel free to clean it whatever you’d like.
$4.99 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

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.

Under The Mistletoe Cocktail Recipe

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 Christmas cocktail that was created at Big Bar in Chicago, Illinois. Essentially a fancier version of a Cranberry & Soda, the recipe muddles the holiday flavors of tart cranberry and zesty orange in simple syrup before topping them off with splashes of gin, cranberry juice, and fizzy water to make a light, easy sipper great for Christmastime.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 195 Best Season: Christmas

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add four cranberries, orange slices, and simple syrup to a highball glass.

  2. Muddle gently for 5-7 seconds.

  3. Add gin, cranberry juice, and cubed ice to glass.

  4. Top with club soda.

  5. Stir gently for 3-5 seconds.

  6. Garnish with remaining three cranberries and thyme sprig.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Use MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin 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.