Cosmopolitans and vodka martinis share a lot of ingredients, and my Christmas lemon drop Cosmo is the best of both worlds! This white Christmas cocktail features vodka, orange, fresh lemon juice, and white cranberry juice to make a festive and delicious holiday mixed drink.
Lemon Drop Cosmo Vs Martini: What’s the Difference?
In the case of this Christmas lemon drop Cosmo: not much! A classic Cosmo typically consists of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
The lemon drop martini uses vodka, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice, along with a flavored juice if desired. So really, the main difference is the lemon vs the lime here!
For this white Christmas version, I’m swapping out traditional red cranberry juice for white cranberry juice to make a festive looking drink – especially when you add some rosemary and cranberries for garnish.
No matter what you call it, this Christmas lemon drop is a delicious option to serve anytime during the holiday season!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Ingredients Needed
- 1 ½ ounces vodka (plain or citron)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (or lime if preferred)
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur like Cointreau)
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
- 1 ½ ounces white cranberry juice
Sugar Rim (Optional)
- Fresh lemon wedge
- 1-2 Tbsp granulated sugar
Garnishes
- Fresh sprig of rosemary
- Handful of fresh or frozen cranberries
- Slice of lemon (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- While you could technically use bottled, I find that fresh lemon juice really makes all the difference!
- I find this drink fairly well balanced in both sweetness and strength as written, but you can of course tailor to your preferences by adjusting the amount of vodka and the amount of simple syrup
Step By Step Instructions
- Prepare the rim of your martini glass by running a lemon wedge around the outside top edge of the glass to wet it. Then, turn the glass upside down and dip the wet edge into a small plate or shallow bowl with the sugar and turn to coat
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, simple syrup (if using) and white cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a handful of ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, 20-30 seconds, then strain into your prepared martini glass
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and cranberries. Enjoy!
- White Christmas Mojito
Recipe FAQs
What Is The Best Vodka To Use For A Lemon Drop Cosmo?
The best vodka for a lemon drop Cosmo is a high-quality, smooth vodka with a clean finish. I personally use Tito’s.
Citrus-flavored vodkas, like lemon or orange, can enhance this cocktail’s bright and tangy flavor, making them an ideal option in lieu of plain vodka for this recipe.
What Is The Difference Between A Lemon Drop And A Cosmo?
While both cocktails are citrus-based, a lemon drop primarily features lemon juice and simple syrup, creating a sweet-tart profile. A Cosmo, on the other hand, typically includes cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec, providing a more fruity and slightly bitter taste.
The Christmas lemon drop Cosmo combines elements of both for a festive twist!
Can I Make A Mocktail Version Of This Drink?
Yes, you can easily make a non-alcoholic version. Substitute lemon-flavored sparkling water, club soda, tonic water, or soda for the vodka, and use a splash of orange juice or non-alcoholic triple sec for added flavor.
You can still use the white cranberry juice, lemon juice (or lemonade) and the festive garnishes to make it a special drink!
How Do I Keep The Drink Chilled For A Party?
Scale and prepare the cocktail mixture up to 24 hours in advance and chill it in a sealed container (such as a pitcher) in the fridge.
Serve in a prepared glass, and add garnishes just before serving.
Tips For the Best Christmas Lemon Drop Cosmo
- Chill your martini glass in the fridge ahead of time to keep your drink colder!
- One medium lemon usually gives about 1 ½ – 2 ounces of juice in total, for help if you plan to scale the recipe! Of course, this can vary slightly between fruits, so I usually pick up a couple extra
Serving and Presentation Tips
- You can mix this drink up to 24 hours in advance and store in the pitcher or similar container in the fridge until ready to serve. Stir, pour individual rimmed glasses, and add garnishes just before serving
- Glassware. A martini or coupe glass are the most common options for serving a white Christmas lemon drop martini. However, you can use a white wine glass or any lowball cocktail glass in a pinch!
More Lemon Drop Martini Recipes
Final Thoughts
This Christmas lemon drop Cosmo is a fun and festive twist that’s the perfect mix of a classic Cosmopolitan and a lemon drop martini. The white cranberry flavor makes for a delicious sip, and adds to the seasonal vibes when paired with the rosemary and cranberry garnish.
A white cranberry lemon drop martini is one of my favorite cocktail recipes to make during the holiday season since it’s simple, elegant, and also delicious! It’s perfect for your next holiday party, or honestly any winter occasion.
Katie’s tip
For more easy recipes to add to your cocktail menu this holiday season, check out all of my amazing Christmas Cranberry Cocktails and Cranberry Vodka Drinks for inspiration!
Christmas Lemon Drop Cosmo (White Christmas Cocktail)
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Martini glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka (plain or citron)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice (or sub lime)
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
- 1 ½ ounces white cranberry juice
Sugar Rim (Optional)
- 1 wedge fresh lemon
- 1-2 Tbsp granulated sugar (amount approximate)
Garnishes
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 5-6 fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions
- Prepare the rim of your martini glass by running a lemon wedge around the outside top edge of the glass to wet it. Then, turn the glass upside down and dip the wet edge into a small plate or shallow bowl with the sugar and turn to coat1 wedge fresh lemon, 1-2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, triple sec, simple syrup (if using) and white cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a handful of ice1 ½ ounces vodka, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce triple sec, ½ ounce simple syrup, 1 ½ ounces white cranberry juice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, 20-30 seconds, then strain into your prepared martini glass
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and cranberries. Enjoy!1 sprig fresh rosemary, 5-6 fresh or frozen cranberries
Notes
- While you could technically use bottled, I find that fresh lemon juice really makes all the difference!
- I find this drink fairly well balanced in both sweetness and strength as written, but you can of course tailor to your preferences by adjusting the amount of vodka and the amount of simple syrup
- One medium lemon usually gives about 1 ½ – 2 ounces of juice in total, for help if you plan to scale the recipe! Of course, this can vary slightly between fruits, so I usually pick up a couple extra
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any decorative elements added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
