A few of you asked me what cocktail I was drinking in my stories the other day, so I knew I had to share this Festive Holiday Gin Fizz recipe! This drink is not only gorgeous to look at, making it perfect for any holiday occasion, but it’s also incredibly delicious and refreshing. It features a lovely blend of gin, tart cranberry juice, floral elderflower liqueur, bright lemon, and a hint of rosemary simple syrup, all topped with bubbly club soda. Trust me, this is the perfect cocktail to sip on while celebrating the season!
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Gin Fizz
- Festive and Elegant: The beautiful color and sophisticated flavors make this cocktail perfect for holiday parties and celebrations.
- Refreshing Flavor Profile: It’s a bright and bubbly cocktail with a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and herbaceous notes.
- Easy to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, this gin fizz is simple to mix together.
- Unique Twist: The elderflower and rosemary simple syrup add a unique and delightful twist to a classic gin fizz structure.
- Crowd-Pleaser: A sophisticated yet approachable cocktail that your guests will love.
Ingredients for Holiday Gin Fizz
Here’s what you’ll need to make this festive cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Cocktail
- Gin (Liquor)
- Cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail) (Juice)
- Elderflower liqueur (Liqueur)
- Lemon juice (Acid)
- Rosemary simple syrup (recipe below) (Sweetener/Flavoring)
- Club soda (Soda)
- Ice (Ice)
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Water (Liquid)
- Sugar (Sweetener)
- Rosemary sprigs (Herb)
Garnish
- Cranberries (Fruit)
- Rosemary sprig (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Holiday Gin Fizz as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Spirit: Try vodka or even a light rum instead of gin for a different base.
- Add Spice: Infuse the simple syrup with a cinnamon stick or star anise along with the rosemary for extra warmth.
- Use Different Juice: Substitute pomegranate juice for cranberry juice.
- Make it Sweeter/Tarter: Adjust the amount of simple syrup or lemon juice to your preference.
- Sparkling Wine: Top with prosecco or champagne instead of club soda for an extra festive kick.
How to Make a Holiday Gin Fizz
Let me show you how easy it is to make this festive Holiday Gin Fizz:
Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup
- First, I make the rosemary simple syrup. I combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. (I usually use 1 cup of each to make a larger batch to use throughout the season).
- I heat the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves.
- I take it off the heat and add 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary.
- I let it steep for about 15 minutes to infuse the rosemary flavor.
- I remove the rosemary sprigs and pour the syrup into an airtight container. It will last up to a month in the fridge.
Make the Cocktail
- I fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- I add the gin, cranberry juice, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and the rosemary simple syrup to the shaker.
- I shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.
Strain and Top
- I strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- I top the drink with club soda.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish and serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Gin Fizz
Here are my secrets for making this cocktail truly exceptional:
- Use Quality Ingredients: Good quality gin, real cranberry juice (not cocktail), and fresh lemon juice make a difference.
- Homemade Simple Syrup: Making your own rosemary simple syrup adds a fresh, herbaceous note that elevates the drink.
- Chill Your Glass: Serving in a chilled glass keeps the drink colder longer.
- Don’t Skimp on Shaking: Shaking vigorously chills the drink properly and aerates it slightly.
- Fresh Garnishes: The fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig add aroma and visual appeal.
How to Serve
This Holiday Gin Fizz is perfect for:
- Holiday Parties: A festive and elegant signature cocktail for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
- Cocktail Hour: A refreshing and sophisticated pre-dinner drink.
- Winter Gatherings: A bright spot during colder months.
Serve immediately in a tall (collins or highball) glass filled with ice.
Make Ahead and Storage
The rosemary simple syrup can be made well in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The cocktail itself is best mixed just before serving to maintain its fizz.
FAQs about Holiday Gin Fizz
- What type of gin is best?
- A London Dry style gin works well, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Can I use dried rosemary for the simple syrup?
- Fresh rosemary provides the best flavor, but you could use 1-2 teaspoons of dried rosemary in a pinch (strain it out well).
- Is elderflower liqueur necessary?
- It adds a unique floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Popular brands include St-Germain. You could omit it, but the flavor profile will change.
Enjoy this refreshing, festive, and easy-to-make Holiday Gin Fizz! It’s a perfect cocktail to celebrate the season in style.
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Holiday Gin Fizz
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Holiday
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Holiday Gin Fizz is a delicious, refreshing, and festive cocktail perfect for any holiday occasion! It combines gin, cranberry juice, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and a homemade rosemary simple syrup, all topped with bubbly club soda.
Ingredients
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
For the Holiday Gin Fizz (per serving):
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce 100% cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail)
- 3/4 ounce elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce Rosemary Simple Syrup (from recipe above)
- Club soda, chilled
- Ice cubes
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh cranberries
- Fresh rosemary sprig
Equipment:
- Cocktail Shaker
- Tall Glass (Collins or Highball)
Instructions
1. Make the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Do not boil vigorously, just heat until dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary to the hot syrup.
- Let the rosemary steep in the syrup for at least 15 minutes (longer for a stronger flavor).
- Remove and discard the rosemary sprigs.
- Let the syrup cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
2. Make the Holiday Gin Fizz:
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Add the gin, cranberry juice, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 ounce of the cooled rosemary simple syrup to the shaker.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Fill a tall glass (Collins or highball) with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
- Top off the drink with chilled club soda.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of fresh rosemary, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Rosemary Simple Syrup: Making a larger batch (as suggested in the original recipe with 1 cup water/1 cup sugar) is convenient if you plan to make multiple cocktails. Adjust the amount of rosemary if desired. Ensure the syrup is completely cool before using in the cocktail.
- Gin: Use your favorite brand of gin. A London Dry style works well here.
- Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice (often labeled “unsweetened” or “pure”) for the intended tartness. Cranberry juice cocktail is much sweeter and will significantly alter the drink’s balance.
- Elderflower Liqueur: Brands like St-Germain are popular choices.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for brightness.
- Serving Glass: A tall Collins or highball glass is traditional for a fizz cocktail.