Get ready to impress your guests with this stunning Snowy Poinsettia Martini! It's a beautiful and delicious cocktail perfect for the holiday season, capturing the festive flavors of cranberry, orange, and warm spices. I love how the homemade Cinnamon Maple Syrup adds a unique depth, complementing the spiced rum and bright juices. This drink not only looks gorgeous with its optional sugared rosemary and cranberry garnish, but it tastes like Christmas in a glass! While it might feel early to think about the holidays right now (here in early April!), this is definitely one to bookmark for your festive gatherings later this year!
Why You'll Love This Snowy Poinsettia Martini
- Festive Flavors: The combination of cranberry, orange, cinnamon, maple, and spiced rum is perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Elegant Presentation: Served in a martini glass with beautiful garnishes, this cocktail looks sophisticated and festive.
- Homemade Syrup: The Cinnamon Maple Syrup adds a unique, homemade touch and delicious warmth.
- Easy to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, this cocktail is simple to mix together.
- Perfect for Parties: A memorable signature cocktail for Christmas parties or New Year's Eve.
Ingredients for Snowy Poinsettia Martini
Here's what you'll need to make this festive martini. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Cinnamon Maple Syrup
- Maple syrup (Sweetener)
- Cinnamon sticks (Spice)
- Orange peels (Flavoring)
- Water
Cocktail
- Spiced rum (Liquor)
- Cinnamon maple syrup (from recipe) (Sweetener/Flavoring)
- Cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail) (Juice)
- Cointreau (orange liqueur) (Liqueur)
- Ice (Ice)
Garnish (Optional)
- Sparkling rosemary (Herb)
- Cranberries (fresh or sugared) (Fruit)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Snowy Poinsettia Martini as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Rum: Use a white rum or dark rum instead of spiced rum.
- Vodka Base: Substitute vodka for the spiced rum for a cleaner spirit base.
- Different Liqueur: Try Grand Marnier or Triple Sec instead of Cointreau.
- Make it Sparkle: Top with a splash of prosecco or champagne for some bubbles.
- Non-Alcoholic: Omit the rum and Cointreau, increase the juices, and top with sparkling cider or ginger ale for a festive mocktail version of the Snowy Poinsettia Martini.
How to Make a Snowy Poinsettia Martini
Let me show you how easy it is to make this festive Snowy Poinsettia Martini:
Make the Cinnamon Maple Syrup
- First, I prepare the delicious Cinnamon Maple Syrup. In a small saucepot, I combine the maple syrup, 1 cup of water, the cinnamon sticks, and the orange peel.
- I bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately remove it from the heat.
- I give it a stir and let it steep for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- I strain the syrup into a jar, discarding the cinnamon sticks and orange peel. This syrup makes enough for 6-8 drinks and stores well in the fridge!
Mix the Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker, I measure the spiced rum, the prepared cinnamon maple syrup, cranberry juice, and Cointreau.
- I add ice to the shaker.
- I shake until cold.
Strain and Garnish
- I strain the chilled mixture into a martini glass.
- I garnish with sugared rosemary and cranberries, as desired, for that perfect snowy, festive look.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Martini
Here are my secrets for making this cocktail truly exceptional:
- Homemade Syrup is Key: The infused Cinnamon Maple Syrup adds a unique depth of flavor you won't get otherwise.
- Use 100% Cranberry Juice: Ensure you use pure cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail) for the right tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Quality Spirits: Good quality spiced rum and Cointreau will enhance the overall taste.
- Shake Well: Shaking vigorously with ice chills the drink properly and balances the ingredients.
- Chill Your Glass: Serving in a pre-chilled martini glass keeps the drink colder longer and adds an elegant touch.
How to Serve
This Snowy Poinsettia Martini is perfect for:
- Christmas Parties: A signature cocktail that embodies the holiday spirit.
- Holiday Dinners: An elegant pre-dinner drink or festive accompaniment.
- New Year's Eve: A sophisticated way to ring in the new year.
- Winter Gatherings: A warming and flavorful cocktail for any cold-weather celebration.
Serve immediately in a chilled martini glass.
Make Ahead and Storage
The Cinnamon Maple Syrup can be made well in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. The cocktail itself is best mixed fresh just before serving.
FAQs about Snowy Poinsettia Martini
- What is spiced rum?
- Spiced rum is rum infused with various spices, often including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla. Brands like Captain Morgan or Kraken are common examples.
- Can I use regular simple syrup?
- You can, but you'll miss the distinct maple and cinnamon flavors from the homemade syrup, which are key to this Snowy Poinsettia Martini.
- How do I make sugared rosemary and cranberries?
- Lightly brush rosemary sprigs and fresh cranberries with simple syrup or water, then roll them in granulated sugar and let them dry on parchment paper.
Enjoy this festive, flavorful, and elegant Snowy Poinsettia Martini! It's a perfect cocktail for spreading holiday cheer.
Print
Snowy Poinsettia Martini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Holiday, Christmas
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Snowy Poinsettia Martini is a festive and elegant cocktail perfect for the holiday season. It combines spiced rum, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and a homemade cinnamon-maple simple syrup for a warm, flavorful, and beautiful drink.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Maple Syrup:
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup water
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- Peel from ½ orange (about two 2-inch long strips, avoid white pith)
For the Martini (per serving):
- 2 ounces spiced rum
- 1 ounce Cinnamon Maple Syrup (from recipe above)
- 2 ounces 100% cranberry juice
- ½ ounce Cointreau (or other orange liqueur like Triple Sec)
- Ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
- Sugared rosemary sprigs
- Sugared cranberries
Equipment:
- Cocktail Shaker
- Martini Glass
Instructions
Make the Cinnamon Maple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, water, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once boiling, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Stir the mixture, then let it steep (sit undisturbed) for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a jar or airtight container, discarding the cinnamon sticks and orange peel.
- Let the syrup cool completely before using. This recipe makes enough syrup for 6-8 drinks.
2. Prepare the Martini:
- Chill Glass (Optional): Fill a martini glass with ice and water to chill it while you prepare the drink. Discard the ice water just before straining the cocktail.
- Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the spiced rum, 1 ounce of the cooled Cinnamon Maple Syrup, cranberry juice, and Cointreau (or other orange liqueur) to the shaker.
- Shake: Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is very cold (about 15-20 seconds).
- Strain: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with sugared rosemary sprigs and/or sugared cranberries, if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately.
Notes
- Cinnamon Maple Syrup: This homemade syrup adds a unique warmth and depth. Store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Spiced Rum: Use your favorite brand of spiced rum.
- Cranberry Juice: Use 100% cranberry juice (often labeled "unsweetened" or "pure") for the best flavor balance, as the simple syrup adds sweetness.
- Orange Liqueur: Cointreau is recommended, but Triple Sec or another orange liqueur can be substituted.
- Sugared Garnishes: To make sugared rosemary or cranberries, brush them lightly with simple syrup or egg white, then roll them in granulated sugar and let them dry.
- Storage: This cocktail is best made fresh and served immediately.
