holly jolly christmas citrus cocktail – saves every holiday party

hosting during the holidays means someone always asks what youre serving to drink and you panic because most festive cocktails require 47 ingredients and a bartending degree. not this one.

this is the bubbly refreshing cheerful drink that looks impressive but takes 5 minutes to mix. vodka st germain fresh winter citrus juice and ginger beer,the secret is making it pitcher style so you mix once and serve all night instead of playing bartender while your guests wait.

our favorite cocktails for the holiday season

before we dive in heres what else weve been making this season. creamy indulgent white russian for dessert cocktail vibes,cozy chai old fashioned when you want something warm and spiced. pomegranate moscow mule for that copper mug aesthetic.

this holly jolly cocktail is the easy refreshing one in the collection. the one you make when you want festive without fussy,bright and fizzy instead of heavy.

guests love it because it tastes like the holidays without being overly sweet or boozy forward.

why this simple christmas cocktail actually works

the secret ingredient nobody expects

st germain is the magic here. its a french elderflower liqueur with delicate floral sweetness and notes of pear and grapefruit,sounds fancy but you just pour it in. no muddling no simple syrup no complicated steps.

it elevates regular vodka and citrus into something that tastes craft cocktail level. pairs perfectly with the tartness of fresh citrus and the spice from ginger beer,without st germain this would just be vodka soda.

with it youve got sophisticated flavor that took zero extra work.

fresh winter citrus makes it seasonal

this recipe is built around in season winter citrus which is why it tastes so good right now. you have options depending what you find or what you prefer,clementines are sweet and mild.

grapefruit is tart and zesty. blood orange creates a beautiful festive red cocktail that looks incredible in photos.

fresh squeezed is always better than bottled but honestly bottled works fine if youre making a big batch. just avoid the super processed stuff with added sugar.

built for parties not single servings

heres why this saves you during hosting. the recipe scales to pitcher style for friends and family,you mix the base ahead of time then just add ginger beer and ice when guests arrive.

no standing at the counter making drinks one by one while everyone waits.

one pitcher serves 6-8 people depending on glass size. make two pitchers and youre covered for most parties.

the make ahead tip that changes everything

this is crucial pay attention. in a pitcher combine vodka st germain and fresh citrus juice,cover and chill for up to 1 day in the fridge.

critical part – add ice and top with ginger beer just before serving. not earlier,if you add ginger beer ahead of time it loses all its fizz and becomes flat sad ginger water. the bubbles are what make this drink special so protect them.

this means you can prep everything the night before or morning of. then when guests show up you just pour over ice top with ginger beer and youre done,no stress no mess no playing bartender all night.

how to make it (single glass or pitcher)

for one glass

fill glass with ice. add 2 oz vodka 1 oz st germain 3 oz fresh citrus juice,top with ginger beer (about 2-3 oz). garnish with pomegranate arils and fresh thyme or mint sprig.

the pomegranates look festive and add little bursts of tart sweetness. the thyme or mint adds that green color for christmas vibes.

for pitcher (serves 6-8)

in a large pitcher combine 12 oz vodka (1.5 cups) 6 oz st germain (3/4 cup) 18 oz fresh citrus juice (2.25 cups),stir well and chill until ready to serve.

when guests arrive fill glasses with ice. pour citrus vodka mixture about 3/4 full,top each glass with ginger beer. garnish with pomegranate arils and herbs.

ingredient notes and swaps

vodka: any vodka works. mid shelf is fine no need for premium,you can also use gin which adds botanical notes that pair well with elderflower.

st germain: this is non negotiable for the recipe as written. its what makes it special,available at most liquor stores usually near the liqueurs. one bottle makes multiple batches.

ginger beer vs ginger ale: ginger beer is spicier and less sweet. creates better flavor balance,ginger ale works in a pinch but the drink will be sweeter and less complex.

citrus options breakdown:

• clementines: sweet mild easy to juice. makes a bright orange drink
• blood orange: creates festive red color. slightly tart with berry notes
• grapefruit: most tart option. pink or ruby red both work
• regular orange: fine but less interesting than the others

mix and match citrus if you want. half clementine half grapefruit is good.

pomegranate arils: these are the seeds. buy them already removed in the produce section or deseed fresh pomegranate,purely for garnish but they look christmas-y and taste good when you eat them after.

questions and variations

what is st germain exactly?

french liqueur made from fresh elderflowers. has delicate floral sweetness with notes of peach pear and citrus,tastes sophisticated without being weird or overpowering. pairs beautifully with vodka and citrus which is why it works here.

can i make this a mocktail?

yes. omit vodka and st germain. combine fresh citrus juice with ginger beer and pomegranates,add splash of elderflower syrup (nonalcoholic) if you want that floral note. sparkling water instead of ginger beer makes it less sweet.

whats the best citrus to use?

clementines for sweet and easy. blood orange for festive red color and photos,grapefruit if you want more tart sophisticated flavor. all work you cant mess this up.

why does mine taste flat?

you added ginger beer too early. it needs to go in right before serving or it loses carbonation,if making pitcher add ginger beer to individual glasses not the pitcher itself.

can i use bottled citrus juice?

fresh is definitely better but bottled works for big batches. avoid cocktail mixers with added sugar,pure citrus juice only. simply orange or similar brands work fine.

how do i make this less sweet?

use grapefruit juice instead of clementine. reduce st germain to 3/4 oz per drink,use more ginger beer which is less sweet than ginger ale.

can i prep garnishes ahead?

pomegranate arils keep in fridge for days. herbs should be fresh cut day of or they wilt,prep arils ahead and add herbs right before serving.

why this became my go to holiday drink

ive made complicated holiday cocktails with homemade syrups and ridiculous garnishes. they taste great but im exhausted before guests arrive,this hits the sweet spot of looking impressive tasting delicious but being genuinely easy.

the pitcher format is what sold me. i mix the base put it in the fridge and forget about it,when people show up i pour over ice add ginger beer and everyone thinks i spent hours. the st germain does all the heavy lifting flavor wise.

plus it photographs well which matters for holiday parties. that red from pomegranates and blood orange the green herbs the bubbles,looks festive without trying too hard.

make it once and youll understand why its called holly jolly. its cheerful bright refreshing,everything a holiday drink should be without the stress most holiday drinks require.