The ornament martini, also known as an ornamentini or a Christmas bauble cocktail, is a fun and festive twist on a classic mixed drink that’s perfect for the holiday season. I love it because you can customize it with different flavors to make it just the way you like it!
What is an Ornament Martini?
An ornament martini, also known as an ornamentini or Christmas bauble cocktail, is a festive drink served in a clear, spherical ornament, so that it looks like a Christmas tree bauble.
These cocktails are colorful, fun, and festive, making them a popular choice for holiday parties. The ornament itself doubles as a serving vessel, which you can place inside a glass or hang on a stand for presentation.
Key Characteristics
- Cocktail Variations: You can customize your recipe tremendously with a variety of holiday-inspired ingredients like cranberry juice, orange liqueur, or flavored vodkas (such as peppermint, cinnamon, or spiced apple)
- Presentation: Clear ornaments are filled with the cocktail to show off the colors. You can add edible glitter, decorative tags, ribbons, or small sprigs of rosemary, or place them in a martini glass with garnishes like cranberries
- Why It’s Popular: It combines festive aesthetics with a fun, interactive drinking experience, making it perfect for holiday parties and entertaining!
Quick + Easy Recipes
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List of Ingredients
- 2 ounces citron vodka
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur like Cointreau)
- 1 ounce cherry or pomegranate juice
- 1 ounce cranberry juice (100% unsweetened)
- ½ ounce orange juice
- ⅛ tsp red food grade luster dust (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can also use plain vodka (like Grey Goose or Tito’s) and add ½ ounce or so of lemon juice for flavor
- Any mixture of red juice can be used – cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry are the most common options, but you can tweak the kinds and proportions to your liking
- Instead of triple sec you can also substitute elderflower liqueur for a different, more floral flavor profile
- Garnishes for the glass can include rosemary, orange slices, pomegranate arils, or cranberries. You can do sugared cranberries for a fancy touch, but it’ll wash off as soon as you pour the cocktail in so I don’t personally find it’s worth it
Supplies For Holiday Ornament Cocktails
You’ll need clear fillable glass ornaments to make bauble cocktails. While you can technically use plastic ornaments as well, I recommend the glass because it looks nicer overall (and stays looking nice if you want to wash and reuse them again next year).
The nice part is that you can use any extras for other things, like custom ornaments for your tree, or you can fill them with hot cocoa mix to give as gifts!
I also recommend a small funnel to help with filling the ornaments. It’s just too difficult to pour without a little help (though you could use something else with a fine spout if you prefer).
That’s the only “special” equipment you need. The cocktail is still served in a martini or coupe glass, which you probably have already if you’re planning to make a martini recipe! If you don’t have a shaker, you can use a mason jar with a lid or something similar.
How to Make an Ornament Martini
- Make your your ornaments and cleaned, dried, and have the tops removed
- Add vodka, triple sec, juices, and luster dust (if using) to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a couple ice cubes
- Shake until chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds
- Use a small funnel (or similar) to pour the cocktail from the shaker into your ornaments. I like to set them in a glass for stability. Add the cap back on when finished
- Add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to a martini or coupe glass, then place the filled bauble on top
- Guests can uncap and pour the bauble contents into the glass, or serve with a straw for drinking directly from the ornament. Enjoy!
Food Pairing Options
The ornament martini’s festive and fruity profile pairs well with a variety of holiday appetizers and desserts. Here are some of my favorite food pairing ideas:
Appetizers
- Cheese and Charcuterie: Soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese with cranberry or fig jam complement fruity or spiced martini flavors. Add cured meats like prosciutto or salami for balance. My Cranberry Baked Brie is a perfect choice!
- Savory Pastries: Mini quiches, puff pastry bites, or phyllo-wrapped brie with herbs offer a rich, buttery contrast. Try Air Fryer Frozen Mini Quiche or Trader Joe’s Pastry Bites in the Air Fryer for some quick and convenient options
- Cranberry Glazed Meatballs: These sweet-savory bites pair beautifully with the martini’s holiday notes!
- Seafood: Shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon crostini bring a light, elegant touch. Make Air Fryer Shrimp Cocktail for a simple preparation!
Desserts
- White Chocolate Truffles: The creamy, sweet chocolate both compliments and balances the tart, fruity notes of the drink well
- Peppermint Bark: Perfect for peppermint or spiced martinis, adding a festive crunch! My Microwave Peppermint Bark is a quick and easy way to make it at home!
- Mini Tarts: Cranberry, pecan, or apple tarts offer complementary seasonal flavors. These cute mini Crustless Cranberry Pies pair beautifully!
- Gingerbread Cookies: Their warm spices balance the cocktail’s sweet, fruity, or citrusy notes. You can even make Gingerbread Cookies in the Air Fryer!
Light Bites
- Candied Nuts: Sweet and crunchy, they complement fruity and spiced martini flavors. Try my Air Fryer Honey Roasted Pecans for a homemade version!
- Popcorn with Holiday Spices: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a drizzle of white chocolate for a fun pairing!
- Fresh Fruit Skewers: Use berries, citrus segments, or grapes for a refreshing contrast
Recipe FAQs
What’s the Best Way to Serve the Ornamentini at a Party?
Set up a festive drink station where guests can choose their ornament martini from a decorative display, like a tree stand or tray filled with ice. Include labels or tags with the cocktail’s name and ingredients for clarity (especially if you make multiple versions with different juices).
Provide martini glasses or straws for easy drinking, depending on your guests’ preference. For an elegant touch, garnish with rosemary sprigs, edible glitter, or sugared cranberries!
How Do I Safely Serve the Cocktail in a Glass Ornament?
Use only new, food-safe, BPA-free ornaments explicitly designed for serving liquids. Fill them using a funnel to avoid spills and ensure the lids or caps are securely closed to prevent leaks.
Display ornaments in sturdy holders, like glasses or ice-filled trays, to prevent tipping. Double-check for cracks or defects before use to avoid any risk of breakage while handling or serving.
Can I Make This Drink Non-Alcoholic?
Yes! To make a non-alcoholic mocktail version, use white cranberry or white grape juice instead of the vodka.
Replace the triple sec with a non-alcoholic triple sec syrup, or just a little extra orange juice.
Recipe Tips For the Best Bauble Cocktails
- As written, this drink is medium strength with an equal blend of mixers and alcohol. You can adjust the alcohol down (or add more juice to balance) to adjust it to your liking
- To control the sweetness, use unsweetened juices like cranberry and tart cherry juice, and then adjust up for personal preference using sweeter juices, simple syrup, or a bit of honey
- If you use edible glitter it will naturally settle over time. When you pour out the bauble, it will stir it back up, but once in the martini glass, you’ll want to periodically stir it to keep the glitter looking festive!
How Do I Store Leftover Ornaments?
If you have leftover ornament cocktails, transfer them to a sealed container or you can keep them in the ornaments if they are food-safe and properly sealed.
Refrigerate promptly to maintain freshness, but most cocktails can be stored for 1–2 days. Clean the ornaments thoroughly if you plan to reuse them for drinks!
Final Thoughts
These fun ornament martinis are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer at your Christmas party! They’re everything you love about a martini, but delivered in an adorable bauble topper that really adds the festive spirit.
With a delicious combination of citrus and tart flavor from cranberries and whatever other fruits you like, it’s also perfect for the season. I also love that you can mix and pour them in the morning, and then just serve the baubles on a bowl of ice for a low stress presentation.
If you’re looking for a new drink that brings the spirit of the season in boozy cocktail form, then give this very merry ornamentini a try! For more seasonal ideas, you can also check out my collection of Cranberry Vodka Drinks!
Ornament Martini (Christmas Bauble Cocktail)
Equipment
- Measuring spoons (only if using glitter)
- Shaker (or similar)
- Martini glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces citron vodka
- ½ ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- 1 ounce cherry or pomegranate juice
- 1 ouce cranberry juice (I use 100% unsweetened)
- ½ ounce orange juice
- ⅛ tsp food grade red luster dust (optional)
Instructions
- Make your your ornaments and cleaned, dried, and have the tops removed
- Add vodka, triple sec, juices, and luster dust (if using) to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a couple ice cubes2 ounces citron vodka, ½ ounce triple sec, 1 ounce cherry or pomegranate juice, 1 ouce cranberry juice, ½ ounce orange juice, ⅛ tsp food grade red luster dust
- Shake until chilled and lightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds
- Use a small funnel (or similar spout) to pour the cocktail from the shaker into your ornaments. I like to set them in a glass for stability. Add the cap back on when finished
- Add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to a martini or coupe glass, then place the filled bauble on top
- Guests can uncap and pour the bauble contents into the glass, or serve with a straw for drinking directly from the ornament. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can also use plain vodka and add ½ ounce or so of lemon juice for flavor/tartness if desired
- Any mixture of red juice can be used – cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry are the most common options, but you can tweak the kinds and proportions to your liking
- Instead of triple sec you can also substitute elderflower liqueur for a different, more floral flavor profile
- Garnishes for the glass can include rosemary, orange slices, pomegranate arils, or cranberries. You can do sugared cranberries for a fancy touch, but it’ll wash off as soon as you pour the cocktail in so I don’t personally find it’s worth it
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, garnishes added, size of baubles, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
