The Mistletoe Kiss is one of those Christmas co*cktails for the ages and it’s perfect to kick off the holiday season, even in November! Made with vodka, lemon juice, sparkling water or soda, and a special and insanely easy simple syrup that ties the whole drink together, you’ll be making this holiday drink every year!
You guys! I have such an exciting recipe for you this holiday season!!
IT’S A CHRISTMAS co*ckTAIL RECIPE!!
Can you even believe it?? The last time I posted a co*cktail recipe was in 2010.
Thirteen years ago! Where’s that embarrassed wide-eyed emoji when you need it?
That holiday co*cktail recipe was those cranberry lime bellinis that I contributed to Annie’s virtual Christmas party. (Do you remember when those virtual parties were a thing??)
They were a delicious combination of champagne, cranberry and lime juice with fresh cranberries floating on top.
One of my favorite drinks to this day is a simple vodka and cranberry and those bellinis were pretty similar. Except that instead of the bite of vodka, you get a bubbly mouthful of champagne. Mmmmm!
And while we’re on the topic of vodka, let me tell you that I probably will never turn down a drink with vodka in it. I don’t drink vodka often – gin is my actual preference when it comes to spirits – but I love vodka because it’s sort of like the blank palate of the drink world.
It goes so well with lots of flavors, especially herbs!
Enter The Mistletoe Kiss. And pucker up, my friends! Pucker up!
Mistletoe Kiss Ingredients
This delicious drink is a delightful mixture of some really simple ingredients. Here’s the basic grocery store and liquor store list you’ll need for this Christmas co*cktail. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full Ingredients list!
- vodka
- club soda
- fresh lemon juice
- my new secret ingredient: rosemary simple syrup
- a sprig of rosemary
- fresh cranberries
How to Make A Mistletoe Kiss
You won’t believe how easy it is to make the best of all Christmas co*cktail recipes this holiday season!
STEP 1: First you’ll need a flavor base and that’s the rosemary simple syrup. This is my secret ingredient for truly getting me in the holiday spirit with this drink.
The simple syrup is just what it sounds like too. It’s simple to make with equal parts of water and sugar that you’ll boil for 5 minutes. Then you’ll drop a sprig of rosemary into the hot syrup. The fresh rosemary will infuse the simple syrup with loads of herby flavor.
STEP 2: Once cooled, you’ll mix the rosemary simple syrup with vodka and fresh lemon juice. You can do this in a co*cktail shaker or in a tall glass.
STEP 3: Pour the vodka mixture into an ice-filled glass and then pour in some bubbly club soda.
STEP 4: Lastly, float some fresh cranberries on top of the drink and add a sprig of rosemary to stir it all up. Now you’ve got yourself the perfect festive co*cktail!
There’s just enough lemon juice in these mistletoe kiss drinks to make you pucker up to your Christmas love next to the Christmas tree or you know…under the mistletoe!…without being like, “Woah! Too much lemon!”
And the rosemary simple syrup beautifully balances the tart lemon and bite of the vodka. It gives the drink a refreshing sweet and herbal note and really brings it home to remind you that it’s the holidays.
How to Make a Big Batch of Mistletoe Kiss Drinks
If you’re having a crowd for a Christmas tree trimming party or for your next holiday party this season, you’re going to want to make a large batch of these Mistletoe Kiss drinks. And it’s SO simple to do! Here’s what you’ll do:
- First, you’re going to make a batch of the rosemary simple syrup. It’s easy! Boil equal parts of sugar and water for 5 minutes then toss in a sprig of rosemary to steep and release its flavor into the syrup. Cool completely. You can make this up to 2 weeks in advance too!
- Then, ready a large pitcher. Scale up the recipe in the recipe card below to account for how many servings you want to make. Pour scaled amount of in the vodka, lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup and stir well.
- Pour the drinks into ice-filled rocks glasses – only 3/4 of the way full though. You’ll need room for the club soda.
- Top the drink off with club soda, a few cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary to use as a stirrer.
Can I Make a Big Batch In Advance?
You can certainly prepare the this fun co*cktails in the pitcher a few hours in advance of your party and keep it in the fridge until your guests arrive. Just be sure to add the club soda to the glasses as you serve these drinks!
This will ensure the Mistletoe Kisses are super cold and it will majorly simplify your life during the holiday party when you would prefer to be mingling and eating rather than pouring individual drinks.
What to Serve with The Mistletoe Kiss
And while we’re on the topic of parties, let’s talk for a quick minute about some excellent appetizers you can serve with these mistletoe kiss holiday drinks at your next party.
Baked brie has always and will always be my go-to holiday party appetizer and my baked brie with fig jam and honey is a stunning and easy one to delight your guests.
I also adore a really nice plate of cheese and crackers, especially as an easy snack on Christmas Eve. It doesn’t have to be a big to-do of a cheese platter, though if you want to go in that direction,
If you’re into making homemade crackers for a spread like that, I really love to make homemade wheat thins,which I serve with cranberry Stilton during the holidays. These Parmesan thyme crackers would be excellent too!
And maybe I’ll throw togethera hot crab dip or bacon, scallion, caramelized onion dip if I have a few extra minutes to prepare one of them.
Easy one-bite appetizers would be these brie and caramelized onion bites , spinach and cheese puffs, or these maple bacon mini quiche.
Smoked salmon spread is always an easy appetizer that will instantly fancify your party.
And in my opinion, no holiday party would be complete without some baked fontina with crusty bread, spinach artichoke dip, bacon wrapped dates with cranberry Stilton, and sausage stuffed mushrooms.
Now, what are you waiting for? Go crack open that bottle of vodka, grab the mistletoe, and pucker up, my friends!
Other Christmas co*cktail Recipes for Your Next Holiday Party
If you’re looking for another festive Christmas co*cktail, I’ve got you covered there too! Here are some of my very favorite boozy beverages for this time of year.
White Russians were one of my dad’s favorite holiday co*cktails and I can’t help but stir some Khalua, vodka, and heavy cream together for this cozy drink on a cold night.
Another easy co*cktail that works just as well for decorating the tree as it does on Christmas morning (either before or after your morning coffee) is a simple glass of eggnog with a little pour of Baileys Irish cream and sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
If you’re a chocolate peppermint fan, you’ll love my Peppermint Mochatini with a swizzle swirl of chocolate sauce around the inside of the glass.
Fans of summer will rejoice with The Jack Frost, made with rum, pineapple juice, blue Curacao, and coconut cream. It’s a winter co*cktail that will help you feel like a little bit of summer has happened in the middle of the dark winter days.
For a more classic co*cktail during the holidays, you’ll love my Cranberry Lime Bellini served in tall and elegant champagne glasses.
Are margaritas more your style? Then you really should try a Christmas margarita! It’s made with cranberry, pomegranate, and lime juices, tequila, and orange liqueur like triple sec and it’s soooo good!
If you still have some apple cider hiding in the back of your fridge (you know who you are!), use the rest up in these Hot Bourbon Apple Cider co*cktails. Don’t forget the orange slices flavor and garnish!
At this time of year, you may basically need all of them in your life!
The Mistletoe Kiss co*cktail
Yield: Small batch: 2 drinks | Large batch: 10 drinks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
This is a holiday drink for the ages with vodka, lemon juice, and a special and insanely easy simple syrup that ties the whole drink together. Large batch recipe is included below for your holiday parties!
Ingredients
For the rosemary simple syrup*:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 sprig rosemary
For a small batch:
- 6 oz vodka (I love Tito's)
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz rosemary simple syrup
- Club soda
- Handful of fresh cranberries (whole frozen berries are ok)
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
For a large batch:
- 30 oz vodka (3¾ cups or approx 1 liter from which you'll have a couple ounces leftover)
- 5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 10 oz (1¼ cups) rosemary simple syrup (triple the recipe above)
- 1 liter club soda
- ½ bag of fresh cranberries (whole frozen berries are ok)
- 10 sprigs of rosemary
Instructions
To make the rosemary simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes then remove from the heat and drop in the sprig of rosemary. Allow the rosemary to steep for about 15 minutes and then discard the rosemary. Pour the simple syrup into a glass jar or bottle, cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate.
To make a small batch: Pour vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a drink shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake well to blend. Divide drink mix between 2 rocks glasses filled with ice, straining the ice from the shaker as you pour. You'll only want to fill the glasses ¾-full. Top with club soda and a few cranberries for garnish. Add a sprig of rosemary to use as a stirrer.
To make a large batch: Pour vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a pitcher filled with ice and stir well to combine.
When ready to serve, pour the drink mix into an ice-filled rocks glass to ¾-full. Top each drink with club soda and a few cranberries for garnish. Add a sprig of rosemary to each drink as they are served to use as a stirrer.
If you make the large batch before your guests arrive, be sure to keep the pitcher in the fridge to ensure the drinks are icy cold when they arrive.
Notes
*The rosemary simple syrup recipe above will make more than you need for a small batch but the leftovers will store well in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Party Time Tips: If you plan to serve this drink at a party, here are a few tips for party prep:
- Print out instructions so your guests know how to assemble the drinks and post at your drink station. There is a Print Recipe button towards the top of this recipe box.
- Ready an ice bucket filled with ice as well as drink glasses so guests can help themselves to drinks from the pitcher.
- Have a small bowl of cranberries ready to go.
- Stand the rosemary sprigs up in a small glass.
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