This cocktail has all of the traditional holiday flavors, but with a tip of the hat to the Valley of the Sun. Fresh lime is paired with cranberry and given further depth with a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
By Sarah and Mark Burbridge
December dawns in Phoenix (and a handful of other places around the globe) with lights, ornaments and highs of 73 degrees. Thus, hot buttered rum and cozy wassail do not top the lists of holiday cravings. In further defiance of North Pole expectations, the citrus trees of Arizona give up their second harvest of the year in late November and early December. In the spring, these immediately go into a poolside mojito – but I don’t think even the Grinch could drink mojitos while watching the neighborhood garland and wreaths go up. 
The Phoenix Christmas Cocktail has all of the traditional holiday flavors, but we created it with a tip of the fuzzy, red hat to the Valley of the Sun. Fresh lime is paired with cranberry for a seasonal taste and color and then given further depth with a few dashes of Angostura bitters. A topping of cinnamon and sugar conjure tastes of Christmas’ past and add a nice textural element to the cocktail. Furthermore, the vodka & juice base of this recipe can be made in a large pitcher beforehand so that individual drinks can be quickly made up for your backyard Christmas BBQ.
PrintPhoenix Christmas Cocktail
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
A cocktail with traditional holiday flavors, but a tip of the hat to the Valley of the Sun. Lime is paired with cranberry and dashes of Angostura bitters.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (59 ml) Vodka*
- 4 oz (118 ml)Sweetened Cranberry Juice
- ¼ Lime
- 2–3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- Cinnamon-Sugar (enough for rimming the glass and a sprinkle on top)
- Ice
- Fresh cranberries (optional garnish)
Instructions
- On a small plate sprinkle a layer of cinnamon-sugar.
- Run the lime wedge around the edge of the glass.
- Dip the edge of the glass into the layer of cinnamon-sugar so that it gets evenly coated.
- Squeeze the lime wedge into the glass (as much juice as you can get out of it) and then place the lime wedge itself in.
- Pour in vodka, cranberry juice and bitters. Stir and then add ice.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and garnish with fresh cranberries. Serve immediately.
Notes
*Tequila also works very well in this drink, and gives it even more of a southwestern flair.
