The Grinchs Grog Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz

Festive Christmas Cocktails The Grinchs Grog Recipe

By Evelyn ThatcherSeptember 8, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Deck the Halls with Christmas Cocktails!

Ever find yourself staring blankly at the drinks cabinet, trying to come up with something festive? This Grinch's Grog recipe will totally save your holiday party! It's one of those easy christmas cocktails that tastes like you've spent ages on it.

Think tart cranberry meets fragrant rosemary with a bubbly gin kick seriously delish!

What’s the Deal with This Grinchy Grog?

This festive drink is basically Christmas in a glass. It's inspired by the Grinch, but way more fun and less grumpy! The cranberry rosemary combo has been around for ages, giving this a real traditional feel, and it couldn’t be easier to make.

We're talking 20 minutes max, suitable for even the most novice home bartender. This recipe makes one cocktail but is very easily scalable for a crowd, so you can be everybody’s favorite bartender!

Why You'll Love This Christmas Cocktail

One of the best things? It's packed with antioxidants from the cranberries! Plus, it looks super fancy, perfect for impressing your guests at any festive bash or family gathering.

Honestly, what makes it special is the homemade cranberry rosemary syrup ; it elevates the whole drink. The result? A glass of sparkling christmas cocktails that tastes just as good as it looks.

Ready to get mixing? Here’s what you'll need to make this gin cocktails christmas magic happen:

For The Syrup:

1 cup of cranberries.
1 cup of sugar.
1 cup of water.
2 sprigs of rosemary.

For the Cocktail:

2 oz of gin.
1 oz of that syrup you just made.
3/4 oz of lime juice.
4 oz of club soda.
For decoration, use fresh cranberries and rosemary.

If winter cocktails with gin are your thing you can swap the gin for vodka or even a non-alcoholic alternative.

For christmas cocktail garnish use fresh cranberries. If someone is not drinking add sparkling cider as a non-alcoholic christmas cocktails.

Let's Get This Christmas Cocktail Party Started!

Right then, wanna make some dead easy but super impressive christmas cocktails ? This recipe for "The Grinch's Grog: A Festive Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz" is your new best mate.

Honestly, even if you can barely boil an egg, you can nail this. It's like Christmas Day at your nan's, but boozier.

It's also great holiday cocktail recipes .

Ingredients & Equipment

Time to gather your bits and bobs. This is where the magic starts. Don't worry, you probably already have most of this kicking about.

Main Ingredients

Here's what you'll need, nice and simple:

For the Cranberry Rosemary Syrup:
- 1 cup (200g) fresh or frozen cranberries. Grab the best looking ones you can.
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar. Standard stuff.
- 1 cup (240ml) water. Straight from the tap is fine.
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. Sniff 'em! They should smell amazing.
For the Cocktail:
- 2 oz (60ml) gin. London Dry is a safe bet, avoid the cheapo stuff.
- 1 oz (30ml) cranberry rosemary syrup (recipe above). Don't skip this, it is the secret.
- 0.75 oz (22ml) fresh lime juice. Squeeze it yourself for the best tang.
- 4 oz (120ml) chilled club soda or sparkling water. The fizzier, the better.
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs, for christmas cocktail garnish .

Honestly, fresh ingredients are the key here. Nothing beats the real deal, especially the rosemary.

Seasoning Notes

The syrup is where the magic happens.

Cranberry and rosemary are a classic combo. Trust me.
Fresh lime juice adds a vital zing. Don't skimp on it!.
No rosemary? A tiny bit of thyme will work in a pinch, but seriously, get the rosemary.

Equipment Needed

Keep it simple, keep it real.

Small saucepan
Fine mesh strainer
Cocktail shaker
Jigger or measuring spoons
Highball glass or coupe glass

Don't have a fancy cocktail shaker? A jam jar with a lid will do the job. Strainer? A tea strainer! Necessity is the mother of invention, innit? This easy christmas cocktails recipe will make you a superstar!

And if you're looking for something without the booze check out our non-alcoholic christmas cocktails .

The Grinch's Grog: A Festive Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz

Oh my gosh, get ready to ditch the boring eggnog! I’m about to spill the tea on a christmas cocktail that's way more fun: "The Grinch's Grog.

" Don’t worry, it won’t steal your presents, but it will steal the show at your next holiday bash! This vibrant festive drinks are a mix of tart cranberry, woodsy rosemary, and a kick of gin.

Honestly, it tastes like Christmas threw a party in your mouth. It's easier than untangling your Christmas lights, and way more rewarding.

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Mission

First things first, let’s get organized. Mise en place is just a fancy way of saying "get your sht together before you start.

" For the syrup, you'll need your cranberries, sugar, water, and rosemary sprigs all measured out. For the cocktail, have your gin, cranberry rosemary syrup, lime juice, and club soda ready to go.

Honestly, this will save you a ton of time. Safety wise, just watch out for the hot syrup. Don't be a hero use oven mitts!

Stir, Shake, & Sip: The step-by-step

Make the cranberry rosemary syrup: Pop cranberries, sugar, water, and rosemary into a pan.
Simmer on medium heat until the sugar disappears. Stir it, you know?
Simmer gently for 5 minutes , crushing the berries with a spoon. See them burst.
Steep for 15 minutes to get that rosemary flavor dancing in there.
Strain and cool. No bits in our christmas cocktails , thank you!
Fill a shaker with ice. Gin time!
Add 2 oz gin , 1 oz cranberry rosemary syrup , and 0.75 oz lime juice .
Shake until icy cold, 15-20 seconds .
Strain into a glass filled with ice.
Top with 4 oz club soda. Garnish with christmas cocktail garnish like cranberries and rosemary.

Pro Tips for Maximum Festive Fun

Want to really nail this? Chill everything . The gin, the syrup, the glasses everything . Trust me, it makes a difference.

A common mistake? Over shaking! It dilutes the drink. Shake until cold, not watery. If you are wanting to make them last, and looking to make christmas party drinks you can make the syrup up to a week ahead.

How cool is that? Also, you can substitute the gin with a non-alcoholic gin alternative or simply increase the amount of club soda, creating amazing non-alcoholic christmas cocktails .

Recipe Notes for the Grinch's Grog

Let's dive into a few extra bits to really nail these christmas cocktails. Honestly, it's all about the little details!

Serving Suggestions: Deck the Drinks!

Presentation is key, you know? For plating, think festive and fun. A sugared rim on your glass adds a touch of sparkle.

Use a fancy glass! Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Imagine it: Christmas in a glass. Pair this festive drink with some cranberry brie bites.

The sweetness will balance the tartness of the cocktail. It also goes lovely with ginger bread or some cheese and crackers.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

If you have leftover cranberry rosemary syrup, don't chuck it! Store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Make sure to use an airtight container. You can even freeze it in ice cube trays for later use. Reheating is easy.

Just let it thaw and it's good to go. Don't freeze the cocktail, though. It's best enjoyed fresh.

Variations: Make it Your Own

Want to mix things up? No worries, I got you! To make it gluten-free, just ensure that your gin is made from gluten-free ingredients.

Most are, but always double check. For a non-alcoholic christmas cocktails version, swap the gin for sparkling cider or non-alcoholic gin, or use non-alcoholic gin alternatives.

You will still get that christmas party drinks vibe. You can also swap cranberries for pomegranate seeds for a different seasonal twist.

Nutrition Basics: The Good ish Stuff

Okay, let's be real. This isn't a health smoothie. But, the cranberries do offer some antioxidants. Plus, rosemary is known for its anti inflammatory properties.

Consider it a "balanced" cocktail. Key health benefits include the joy it brings. Don't forget that! But hey, it will still work as one of the easy christmas cocktails.

Alright, that's it, my friend! You are now armed with all the knowledge to make this Grinch's Grog a total knockout.

Remember, it's all about having fun and enjoying the moment. Go forth and make some amazing christmas cocktails, and don't forget to add your own personal touch.

Cheers and happy holidays!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the cranberry rosemary syrup for these christmas cocktails ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. The cranberry rosemary syrup can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This not only saves you time when you're ready to mix your Christmas cocktails but also allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more complex and delicious drink.

It's like marinating, but for your booze!

I don't have gin. What else can I use in these christmas cocktails?

No gin, no problem! Vodka is a great substitute for gin in this recipe, offering a cleaner, less botanical flavor profile. Alternatively, you could try using a white rum for a slightly sweeter, more tropical twist, or even a splash of tequila.

If you want to go non-alcoholic, substitute the gin with a non-alcoholic gin alternative or simply increase the amount of club soda. Omit or substitute the gin for sparkling cider.

How do I make this recipe for Christmas cocktails for a larger crowd?

Scaling up is easy peasy! Simply multiply all the ingredients proportionally to the number of servings you need. For example, if you're serving 10 people, multiply each ingredient by 10. It's a bit like being Mary Berry, only with more booze!

For large batches, you can mix the gin, syrup, and lime juice in a pitcher ahead of time (without the club soda) and then top each glass individually as you serve.

My christmas cocktails are too sweet/tart. How can I adjust them?

Taste is subjective, innit? If your cocktail is too sweet, add a splash more lime juice to balance it out. If it's too tart, add a little more cranberry rosemary syrup, a quarter of an ounce at a time, until you reach your desired sweetness.

Remember to stir well and taste after each addition to ensure the flavors are balanced. Finding the perfect balance is key, like Goldilocks and her porridge!

Can I make these Christmas cocktails non-alcoholic?

Absolutely! To make a non-alcoholic version of this festive drink, simply replace the gin with a non-alcoholic gin alternative. If you don’t have a non-alcoholic gin alternative, substitute the gin with sparkling cider.

You could also experiment with adding a dash of Seedlip Garden 108, which is a distilled non-alcoholic spirit with herbal notes. You still get the festive flavors, just without the hangover the next day!