Name: Christmas Cosmopolitan
Total time: 4 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 30 ml Cognac (brandy); 20 ml Triple sec; 10 ml Falernum liqueur; 30 ml Cranberry juice; 15 ml Lime juice

Christmas Cosmopolitan
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Glass:

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe Gold 7.75oz

Ingredients:
1 oz	Cognac (brandy)
²⁄₃ oz	Cointreau triple sec liqueur
¹⁄₃ oz	Difford's Falernum liqueur
1 oz	Cranberry juice (sweetened)
¹⁄₂ oz	Lime juice (freshly squeezed)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Prepare:

Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
Prepare garnish of rosemary sprig and dried cranberries.

How to make:

SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish:

Rosemary sprig spiked with dried cranberries.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

A brandy-based Cosmo with a hint of mellow warming Christmasy spice.

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History:

Created in November 2020 by yours truly, and revisited with a brandy base in November 2023. The original 2020 recipe:
30ml (1oz) Vodka
20ml (⅔oz) Triple sec
10ml (⅓oz) Falernum
45ml (1½oz) Cranberry juice
15ml (½oz) Lime juice

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Nutrition:

One serving of Christmas Cosmopolitan contains 162 calories

Alcohol content:

1.1 standard drinks
15.27% alc./vol. (30.53° proof)
16 grams of pure alcohol

More Christmas & Thanksgiving cocktails
More Sours (citrus) cocktails

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Showing 10 of 18 comments for Christmas Cosmopolitan.
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Matt

11th January at 00:54

Much bettter than a vodka based Cosmo (IMO). Nice light pink color. Lime juice is prominent and maybe too much (perhaps 7.5 - 10 ml instead), with nice smooth backbone of cognac and Cointreau - this doesn't present as boozy at all. Barely any impact from the falernum (I used Taylor's Velvet) - maybe boost to 15 ml to get some seasonal spice.

jill andrews

3rd January at 11:47

Still aethetically celebratory but I feel improved by the rich roundness provided by the cognac. Lovely!

Fionn Wilkinson

28th December 2025 at 21:28

A bit sweet, a bit tart, and good for guests who like a more mild cocktail. Tempted to swap the cognac for armagnac or calvados, or the falernum for allspice dram— just to see what happens..

Erik Maloney

14th October 2024 at 02:58

Quite good, but the flavor of the cognac risks getting buried, although the warmth comes through nicely. Think on balance I prefer the Christmas Daiquiri, one of my favorites. (Typo sidenote: "cognac" is currently spelled "coganc" on the default Remy Martin brand.)

Simon Difford

14th October 2024 at 06:55

Many thanks, Erik. Cognac now corrected.

John CARR

1st June 2024 at 11:13

Sarah says: like a Cosmo up front, then more richness and depth come through. Loved the rosemary garnish.

John says: loved the use cognac for rounded wintertiness, and falernum spice. Very drinkable.

Mark Renfrow

16th February 2024 at 15:04

I have developed the "Pomopolitan" for Christmas parties - 1-1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, 2 oz Pom, 1 oz Cointreau, lime wheel garnish, shaken and strained individually if a small group. The batch version is stirred, put in the freezer and includes a small amount of water. (Recipe for 12 servings available).

It's a red and green wonder and can be self served, doesn't require ice, and looks great in your favorite coupe!

Ernst Lindhout

23rd December 2023 at 21:32

I used falernum syrup and cranberry compote liqueur (wijnant focking - amsterdam). I guess it gives a bit more cranberry forward cosmo. Taste is punchy sour and sweet with a decent cognac base (Montifaud VS)