Creating a festive atmosphere during Christmas is about sharing special moments with family and friends. What better way to celebrate than with a delightful cocktail? A pretty pom pom Christmas cocktail not only adds a splash of color to your holiday gatherings but also serves as a warm welcome for your guests.

Offering a unique drink on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve can elevate the occasion, making everyone feel special and included in the celebration.

We love to have a “drink of the day” when we entertain. It gets the festivities off to a special start.

Although his favorite beverage is a good glass of wine, Sweet Shark loves to play bartender and prepare fun cocktails for me and guests.

When we are planning a party for any occasion, especially during the holidays, he searches through all his cocktail books (always a good gift) and the recipes that he has collected from magazines or newspaper articles.

I’m always on the lookout for a new drink he should try.

Since I am the official taster in our family, I can vouch that the Pom Pom is a delicious cocktail for toasting the holidays with friends or your favorite guy.

Be sure to get your copy of my helpful BAR ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST below.

A Little Pom Pom Christmas Cocktail History

Most cocktails have a history. We love reading about the origins of cocktails – who, when, why – how did this drink come to be? Many classic drinks are rich in history and culture.

This Pom Pom Christmas cocktail came from an article in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram that Sweet Shark’s sister gave him about ten years ago. The article was a collection of cocktails made from different vodkas. The first one to catch his notice was the Pom Pom.

The first time he made it was January 1, 2022. I guess we were celebrating New Year’s Day.

He always makes a note of the date he makes special cocktails. His notation says, “amazing”. The next time he made the drink was December 14, 2023 and he wrote, “delicious, said Carol”.

Last weekend, Sweet Shark pulled out his cocktail folder and found the article. Exactly a year later, he made it for me again. It seems entirely apropo that I make it for you.

My Christmas present to you.

Types of Cocktails for Christmas and New Year’s

Serving guests a special holiday cocktail is part of the season’s traditions.

When planning your holiday festivities, consider offering a variety of cocktails to cater to different tastes. Here are some popular options:

Pomegranate Martini: A refreshing blend of pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and vodka.
Brandy Alexander: A rich mix of cognac, dark crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
Grinch Punch: A fun green cocktail made with lemon-lime sherbet and pineapple juice.
Naughty or Nice Punch: A bubbly drink combining chardonnay, cognac, maraschino cherry liqueur, and ginger ale.
Hot Toddy: A warm mixture of whiskey, lemon, cloves, and sugar for chilly evenings.

Other Delicious Holiday Cocktails

Here is another collection of Christmas cocktails to add to your cocktail toolbox.

Types of Liquors and Ingredients Used in Christmas Cocktails

To create festive cocktails, various liquors and ingredients can be used.

Liquors:

Vodka: Versatile and pairs well with many mixers.
Bourbon/Rye Whiskey: Adds depth and warmth to drinks.
Cointreau/Triple Sec: Provides a sweet orange flavor.
Rum: Great for tropical or spiced cocktails.
Champagne/Prosecco: Perfect for topping off a cocktail or festive punches.

Other Ingredients:

Juices: Pomegranate, cranberry, orange, and lime juices are popular choices.
Syrups: Ginger syrup or simple syrup can add sweetness.
Fresh Herbs: Rosemary or mint can enhance flavor profiles.
Fruits: Fresh fruits like cranberries, oranges, limes, and pomegranates make excellent garnishes.
Herbs: rosemary, mint, sage

Offering a special drink like the pom pom cocktail not only enhances your holiday gatherings but also creates lasting memories filled with joy and cheer. Cheers to a festive season!

Pom Pom Cocktail Essentials

This cocktail uses easily available ingredients at your local liquor store.

Pom Pom Ingredients

granulated sugar
good quality vodka
Cointreau or other orange liqueur
Pomegranate liqueur
simple syrup
sparkling wine – Prosecco, Cava, Brut
garnish options – rosemary sprig, cranberries, lime slices

NOTE: I have to share an oops about this picture. You don’t use cranberry juice in this cocktail, although it’s nice to use cranberries as a garnish. I accidentally grabbed the bottle out of Sweet Shark’s wine cooler in his bar

TIP: Rather can buy a large bottle of cranberry juice or other juices (pineapple, orange) or mixers (7-UP, Sprite, Ginger Ale, soda, tonic) to stock a bar, it’s much easy to buy small bottles or 6-packs.

Pomegranate liqueur is easy to find at any liquor store. You can use pomegranate juice, but it doesn’t have quite the depth of flavor.

Cointreau is an orange liqueur that is used in dozens of cocktail recipes, including margaritas.

Use your best favorite vodka.

Tools to Make the Pom Pom Cocktail

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This cocktail recipe is easy to make in a cocktail shaker. These make great stocking stuffers for the bartender in your life.

single drink cocktail shaker
jigger or cocktail measuring cup – indespensible in any bar
martini or coupe glass
small cutting board and paring knife with cover – if you plan to use lime slices as garnish

TIP: It’s nice to have a designated small cutting board and paring knife in your bar. Better if it has a cover for safety.

Sweet Shark chose to use this martini/margarita glass because of the green stem – very festive!

Pom Pom cocktail with sliced lime and cranberries

Bar Essentials Printable

Use this handy checklist of essential bar tools for your favorite bartender.

Bar Essentials Tools Checklist

Don’t be caught without an essential bar tool when you’re entertaining. This checklist will make you the hostess with the mostest. You’ll get more drink and recipe ideas, too.

Get Your Bar Essentials Checklist Here.

Making the Pom Pom Cocktail

Make your simple syrup – combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then turn heat down to a simmer. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool completely. Use a funnel to pour into a plastic squeeze bottle.
Prepare your glass – place about 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar on a small (bread and butter) plate. Wet the side of the glass and roll into the granulated sugar. Shake off any excess sugar. NOTE: This step can be made ahead and glasses can be placed in the freezer until ready to use. Highly recommend if you are making more than one drink at a time.
Prepare your garnish of choice.
Gather ingredients except sparkling wine and measure into cocktail shaker. Top with ice and shake for about 10 seconds until shaker is cold.
Top cocktail with sparkling wine and garnish. serve immediately.

martini glass with sugar rim and small bottle of sparkling wine

I decided to use a rosemary sprig as a “toothpick” and cranberries as my garnish.

Doesn’t that look so festive and yummy!

Pom Pom Christmas cocktail with cranberries and rosemary garnish on red napkin

Can’t wait to try this Pom Pom Christmas Cocktail? Here is the recipe. It’s also a great option for New Year’s Eve. Or any time in between.

Pretty Pom Pom Holiday Cocktail Recipe