Ah, Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year, when your home fills with relatives you didn’t invite, your bank account empties faster than a toddler opening an advent calendar, and your stress levels soar to new, festive heights. But fear not, because gin exists—and isn’t that the real Christmas miracle?
Here are my favourite three gin cocktails to sip (or chug, no judgment) as you navigate the chaos of the season. Cheers to surviving!
1. Festive cranberry gin spritz
A cocktail as sparkly as your neighbour’s migraine-inducing Christmas light display. This bubbly delight is tart, refreshing, and just fancy enough to make you feel like you’ve got your life together.
Ingredients
45ml gin
30ml cranberry juice
15ml orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
Sparkling wine or soda water
Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Method
Fill a large wine glass with ice.
Add gin, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur.
Top with sparkling wine or soda water, depending on your fizz preference.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a handful of fresh cranberries for that festive touch.
Tip: For an extra Christmassy flavour, lightly torch the rosemary before adding it to the glass.
2. Gingerbread gin sour
Because eating your weight in gingerbread isn’t enough—you’ve got to drink it too. This cocktail is basically dessert with a side of sass.
Ingredients
60ml gin
25ml lemon juice
15ml gingerbread syrup (store-bought or homemade)
1 egg white (optional, for frothiness)
Crushed gingerbread cookies and cinnamon for garnish
Method
Add gin, lemon juice, gingerbread syrup, and egg white to a shaker.
Shake without ice for about 10 seconds to foam the egg white.
Add ice to the shaker and shake again until chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass.
Crumble a gingerbread cookie on top and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon for garnish.
Shortcut: If egg whites feel too fancy, skip them. It’ll still be deliciously festive!
3. Evergreen Negroni
This one’s for the person who just carried a seven-foot Christmas tree home on foot and now needs a stiff drink. Herbaceous, bitter, and as bracing as a frosty morning argument over tree decorations.
Ingredients
30ml gin
30ml green Chartreuse
30ml sweet vermouth
A sprig of pine or rosemary for garnish
Method
Fill a mixing glass with ice and combine the gin, Chartreuse, and sweet vermouth.
Stir until well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with a fresh pine sprig (make sure it’s food-safe) or rosemary for that Christmassy aroma.
Tip: Swap the sweet vermouth for dry vermouth if you prefer a lighter, less sweet drink.
There you go—three gin cocktails to get you through the highs, the lows, and the in-laws of the Christmas season. Because nothing says “festive spirit” like a well-timed Negroni!
x Victoria
About Victoria Hall
Victoria Hall is an English-born, Australian-based writer and gin enthusiast. Victoria loves experimenting with new recipes and dreaming up concoctions to share with her loved ones. For more of Victoria’s creative updates, follow Victoria on Instagram or check out her bio here.
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