The Clausmopolitan is a vibrant, holiday-inspired variation of the iconic Cosmopolitan, blended with tart cranberry juice, smooth vodka, and a citrusy touch of triple sec and lime.
It’s shaken with ice to achieve a perfectly chilled, velvety texture, ideal for sipping throughout the festive season. The combination of sweet, tart, and citrusy notes makes this elegant cocktail as delightful to drink as it is to serve at your next holiday party.
But our Clausmopolitan isn’t just another cranberry cocktail; it’s a spirited tribute to the holiday vibe. The playful garnish of sugared cranberries, along with a sparkling sugared rim, ensures it stands out as a show-stopping treat.
Quick Facts about the Clausmopolitan Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Flavor profile: Sweet, tart, citrusy
- How to serve it: In a sugar-rimmed martini glass, garnished with sugared cranberries
- Glassware: Martini glass
- Alcohol content: ~20% ABV
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka: Base spirit that provides a clean, neutral canvas. Use a quality mixing vodka, such as Ketel One or Absolut.
- 1.5 oz Cranberry juice: Tart fruitiness that brings a festive crimson hue.
- 0.75 oz Triple sec: Bright citrus notes that add depth and sweetness.
- 0.5 oz lime juice: Fresh, zesty acidity for balance.
- Sugar for the rim: Adds sweetness but more importantly helps to create a merry, festive look.
- Sugared cranberries for garnish: A decorative, edible garnish that enhances the holiday flair. You can use fresh or dehydrated cranberries, but make sure to sugar them.
Required Bartending Tools
- Cocktail shaker: A solid metal Boston Shaker helps with chilling and mixing the ingredients.
- Jigger: Helps for precise measurement of all ingredients. This in turn will deliver consistent results across drinks.
- Hawthorne Strainer: Keeps unwanted ice chips and pulp out of the final drink.
- Shallow dish: You may also use a small plate. Either is fine for easily creating a sugar-coated rim.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make this Cocktail
- Prepare the glass: Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with lime juice and dip it into a shallow dish of sugar.
- Measure the ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Then add the vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Shake: Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain & garnish: Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with a few sugared cranberries before serving.
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Hawthorne Strainer
- 1 Small plate or shallow dish for making the sugar rim
- 1 Cocktail pick
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka - Ketel One or Absolut
- 1.5 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.75 oz Triple Sec
- 0.5 oz Lime juice
- Granulated sugar - for the rim
- Sugared cranberries - fresh or dehydrated
Instructions
- Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with lime juice and dip it into a shallow dish of sugar.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Then add the vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with a few sugared cranberries before serving.
FAQs
Yes, a citrus- or cranberry-flavored vodka may add an extra layer of complexity.
Reduce the triple sec slightly or opt for unsweetened cranberry juice.
Multiply the ingredients, prepare in a large pitcher, and chill for a few hours before serving.