These Holiday Vodka Sippers are an easy and festive cocktail for the season. With just a few ingredients you can make a couple of servings or scale up for a crowd. The drink combines vodka with cranberry and pear juices, then finishes with a splash of bubbly for a bright, celebratory flavor.
The holidays are upon us and, even when celebrations look different, it’s worth keeping treats and drinks special. A simple, well-made cocktail feels particularly appropriate this year — these sippers are festive, effortless, and perfect for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
Wheatley Vodka, crafted in small batches and distilled multiple times, provides a smooth base for cocktails with subtle vanilla notes that mix well without overpowering other flavors. It’s a reliable choice when you want a spirit that’s pleasant to sip or to use in mixed drinks.
The Holiday Vodka Sippers blend Wheatley Vodka with cranberry and pear juices, then top each glass with champagne. The result is light, slightly sweet, and visually festive with a rich red hue. Garnishes like cranberries, star anise, or orange slices add a seasonal touch and a hint of aroma.
Recipe Tips and Suggestions:
- If pear juice is hard to find, substitute orange juice for a slightly different, citrus-forward profile.
- This recipe yields two drinks. It can be doubled or multiplied to create a larger batch for a gathering.
- Garnish ideas: fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, star anise, cinnamon sticks, or sugared cranberries for a decorative finish.
Ingredients (Yield: 2 servings):
- 3 ounces Wheatley Vodka
- 4 ounces cranberry juice
- 3 ounces pear juice (or orange juice as a substitute)
- Champagne, to top
- Garnish: fresh cranberries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange slices
Instructions:
- Fill two glasses with ice and set aside.
- Combine vodka and juices in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake briefly to chill and combine.
- Divide the mixture between the two glasses.
- Top each glass with a splash of champagne.
- Garnish with cranberries, a star anise, or an orange slice and serve immediately.
Nutritional note (per serving): approximately 194 calories, 14g carbohydrates, 10g sugar, and negligible fat or protein. Adjust serving sizes and mixers to suit dietary preferences.
These sippers are bright, simple to prepare, and adaptable. Swap juices or garnishes to match your taste and occasion, and scale up the proportions to make a pitcher for parties. Cheers to festive, easy-to-make holiday cocktails!
This post was created in collaboration with Wheatley Vodka; all opinions are my own.