If you’re on the hunt for a cocktail that’s both festive and refreshing, I’ve got just the thing for you! This Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe is a delightful twist on the classic Lemon Drop, with a seasonal splash of cranberry and a fragrant touch of rosemary. It’s crisp, sweet, and perfect for sipping by the fireplace or impressing your holiday guests. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to holiday cocktail!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The tart lemon juice combined with cranberry’s subtle sweetness offers a perfectly festive zing.
Simple Ingredients: Easy to find and classic components make it hassle-free and approachable for any home bartender.
Elegant Presentation: The sugared rim, fresh rosemary, and cranberries give this cocktail a gorgeous, holiday-ready look without extra fuss.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, you’ll have this cocktail in hand within minutes, perfect for last-minute celebrations.

Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail, festive lemon drop cocktail, cranberry holiday cocktails, seasonal lemon cranberry drink, easy holiday cocktail - A clear cocktail glass with a sugar rim holds a pale pink drink. Inside the drink near the surface are three shiny berries—two red and one dark purple—along with a green rosemary sprig laying flat. A thin lemon slice is placed on the edge of the glass. The glass is shown close up on a white marbled surface with soft, blurred warm lights in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you bring together vodka, fresh lemon, cranberry juice, and a touch of sweetness, you get a cocktail that’s at once bright, tart, and just a little indulgent. Each ingredient plays a key role in creating that harmonious holiday flavor profile.

Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail, festive lemon drop cocktail, cranberry holiday cocktails, seasonal lemon cranberry drink, easy holiday cocktail - Flat lay of a whole fresh lemon cut in half showing juicy pulp, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright red cranberries, a single vibrant green rosemary sprig, a small white ceramic bowl with fine sparkling white sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear simple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl holding deep pink cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl with pale yellow freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear vodka, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vodka: A clean, neutral spirit that lets the citrus and cranberry notes shine without overpowering them.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for the best flavor and a natural tang that wakes up your taste buds.
Cranberry Juice: Adds festive color and a slightly sweet tartness, elevating the holiday vibe.
Simple Syrup: Just enough sweetness to balance acidity without making the cocktail cloying.
Cranberries for Garnish: They pop with color and add seasonal flair that’s fun and festive.
Rosemary Sprig: Aromatic and herbaceous, rosemary adds a subtle pine-like scent that instantly evokes winter.
Sugar for Rimming: Creates a sweet, crunchy edge that contrasts delightfully with the sour cocktail.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about this Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe is how easy it is to adjust based on what you like. Feel free to dial the sourness or sweetness up or down, or play with the rosemary intensity to make it truly your own.

Less Sweet: I sometimes skip or reduce the simple syrup if I want a more tart, citrus-forward experience—it’s perfect that way if you’re a fan of sour cocktails.
Herbal Twist: Occasionally, I gently muddle the rosemary in the shaker to intensify the herbal aroma—a subtle but lovely touch that elevates the drink.
Spiced Up: Adding a tiny dash of cinnamon or clove-infused simple syrup can make it feel like a warm holiday hug, especially on chilly nights.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Glass

Start by running the cut side of a lemon around the rim of your glass. This juicy ring will help the sugar stick beautifully. Then, dip the rim into a small plate of sugar to coat it evenly. Pop the glass into the freezer to chill while you whip up your cocktail — this keeps the drink refreshingly cold and ready to impress.

Step 2: Shake Things Up

Grab a cocktail shaker and pour in 2 oz vodka, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.75 oz cranberry juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup. Add a generous handful of ice, then seal the shaker and give it a vigorous shake for about 10 to 15 seconds until it’s wonderfully chilled. You want that shaker to get nice and frosty—that’s when the magic happens!

Step 3: Strain & Garnish

Once shaken, strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into your sugar-rimmed glass. For the finishing festive touch, tuck in a fresh rosemary sprig and toss a few bright cranberries on top. The aroma of rosemary mingling with that citrus-cranberry pop just screams holiday cheer. Serve immediately and enjoy every sparkling sip!

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Pro Tips for Making Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe

Chill Everything: Always chill your glassware beforehand; it keeps your drink colder longer and feels so luxe.
Fresh Juice Is Key: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a world of difference—avoid bottled lemon juice if possible.
Gentle Rosemary Muddling: Muddling rosemary lightly releases essential oils without turning bitter—just a few gentle presses will do.
Avoid Watery Cocktails: Don’t over-dilute with ice when shaking; 10-15 seconds is perfect to chill without watering down.

How to Serve Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe

Garnishes

I stick with fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary every time—it’s simple but visually stunning. If I want to get fancy, I sometimes add a thin lemon twist or even a sugared rosemary sprig for that extra sparkle. These little touches wow your guests and make every sip feel special.

Side Dishes

This cocktail pairs wonderfully with light holiday appetizers like goat cheese crostinis, spiced nuts, or cranberry-glazed meatballs. The citrus and herb notes really complement savory bites and balance richer flavors on your appetizer table.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive party, I love serving the Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail in coupe glasses with sugared rims lined up on a tray decorated with pine branches and scattered cranberries. You could also freeze cranberries onto rosemary sprigs as edible ice picks — it looks amazing and slowly adds flavor as the ice melts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store the mixed cocktail base—vodka, lemon, cranberry, and syrup—in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a gentle shake or stir before serving chilled again.

Freezing

Freezing this cocktail isn’t ideal because the citrus juice can separate, and ice crystals can dilute the flavor. Instead, I recommend making fresh whenever you want it, which takes just minutes!

Reheating

Since this is a cold cocktail, reheating is never needed. If you find your cocktail has warmed up, simply add fresh ice and give it a quick stir or shake in the shaker to chill it back down.

FAQs

Can I make the Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe without vodka?

Absolutely! If you want a non-alcoholic version, substitute vodka with sparkling water or a lemon-flavored soda. The rest of the ingredients stay the same, keeping the bright, festive flavor without the booze.
How do I make my sugar rim stick better?

Running a lemon wedge around the rim creates the perfect sticky surface for the sugar. Make sure to dip immediately after juicing the lemon and then gently press the rim into sugar without shaking off the excess to ensure an even coat.
Is cranberry juice always sweetened in this recipe?

For this Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe, I use unsweetened cranberry juice so I can control the balance with simple syrup. But if you prefer, a sweetened version works fine—just reduce the syrup to avoid an overly sweet cocktail.
Can I prepare a batch for a holiday party?

You can definitely make the cocktail mix in advance, but I recommend shaking with ice and garnishing each drink individually for the best texture and presentation. Keep the mix chilled and shake right before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it manages to feel both elegant and approachable — just like those cozy holiday moments spent with friends and family. It’s easy enough for a weeknight celebration but looks stunning enough for holiday parties. Give it a try, and I promise it will become one of your holiday favorites, guaranteed to get everyone into the festive spirit. Cheers!