This Christmas Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail with cranberry juice, lemon juice, and smooth gin, with a hint of sweetness from simple syrup, then topped with club soda for a light, bubbly finish. To add a seasonal touch, I like to garnish each glass with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. It looks as festive as it is delicious! If you love the festive cranberry flavor in the Christmas Gin Fizz, you’ll want to try this next holiday favorite: a Cranberry Margarita!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Sugared Rim: Before filling each glass with the cocktail, dip it into lemon juice and granulated sugar. It enhances both the taste and appearance of the cocktail, so try not to leave it off if you can help it! Lemon juice is also added to the cocktail.
- Gin: I am starting to really appreciate the smoothness of gin! For this cocktail, be sure to use dry gin. Dry gin has a sharp, clean taste with little sweetness. It gets its flavor from juniper berries, herbs, and spices, making it perfect for cocktails where you want the other flavors to shine.
- Cranberry Juice: Using 100% cranberry juice gives your drink a natural, tart flavor. It’s pure cranberry juice with no added sugar. If you want a sweeter drink, you can add a little more simple syrup to balance it out. Or, use a cranberry juice cocktail (which is sweeter).
- Simple Syrup: For a hint of sweetness, I added simple syrup to the cocktail. It’s so easy to make your own simple syrup (made with just sugar and water), and then you will have it for other cocktails like my Blackberry Fizz. It is also used in baking and is perfect for coffee and tea. Oh, and you need it for the sugared cranberries!
- Club Soda: For the bubbly fizz, top each cocktail with club soda. Sparkling water or seltzer water would also work well (the closest substitutes with carbonation and no added flavors). Or, if looking for a little added sweetness with a citrusy flavor, top the drink with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish: For the finishing touch, garnish each cocktail with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. The cranberries are simple to make with just simple syrup and granulated sugar. If you don’t have sugared cranberries, freeze a few whole cranberries to add for garnish. And then, to make the drink extra holiday-ready, add a sprig of rosemary!
Delicious Non-Alcoholic Christmas Gin Fizz Mocktail Recipe
It is easy to make this cocktail into a Christmas Gin Fizz Mocktail–no alcohol and appropriate for all ages! To make the mocktail version, just leave out the gin. Everything else stays the same—cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, ice, sparkling water, and the garnish. It’s a refreshing, alcohol-free drink!
Can I Make A Christmas Gin Fizz Ahead Of Time?
Sure! You can make the drink mixture ahead of time, but it’s best to add the sparkling water and garnish just before serving to keep the fizz and freshness. I like to mix the cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice in a shaker, then store it in the refrigerator until I am ready to serve (or enjoy a cocktail myself😜). When you’re ready, just pour it into glasses filled with ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish!
Can I Make A Christmas Gin Fizz Without A Cocktail Shaker?
Yes, you can totally enjoy this drink even if you don’t have a cocktail shaker! Just mix everything together in a big pitcher or glass with a spoon—make sure to stir it really well. Or, if you want that fun shaker effect, grab a travel coffee mug with a lid, seal it up tight, and shake away! When you’re ready, just pop it open and pour it into a glass. Easy peasy!
Christmas Gin Fizz
Ingredients
Rim
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Drink
- 3 ounces dry gin
- ¼ cup (63 g / 2 ounces) cranberry juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, about ½ a medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- ice cubes
- club soda, for topping
- sugared cranberries, for garnish
- 1 sprig rosemary, for garnish
Instructions
- Set out two small plates. On the first plate, add the lemon juice. Add the granulated sugar to the second plate.
- Wet the rim of a lowball glass with lemon juice. Then dip the rim in the sugar, turning to coat. Repeat with the other glass. Set aside.
- To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously until chilled (about 15 seconds).
- Fill each glass with ice. Strain about half of the gin mixture into the first glass filled with crushed ice. Top with club soda. Repeat with the other glass.
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately. Cheers!
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I don’t usually drink gin, but this Christmas gin fizz is amazing! The cranberry and lemon balance the flavors perfectly. It’s light and festive.
Elizabeth
I love a drink that isn't too sweet, so this drink was perfect for me! I could even enjoy it without the simple syrup.
Bella
I liked this drink (surprisingly). The gin flavor isn’t too strong, and the cranberry juice adds a nice twist.
Selena
The gin is smooth, and the cranberry juice gives it a lovely color and flavor. It’s a simple, refreshing drink that’s perfect for Christmas parties!
