This final Christmas drink Saturday requires the most festive drink of the year. Enter The Santa Clause Smash. It’s warming, it’s cozy, has a little bit of kick, and it’s as sweet as can be…just like Jolly old Santa himself. Yes, I’m being so cheesy right now, but Christmas is only three days away, so it’s OK. Embracing the season and all of the holly, jolly happiness that it brings! Like a lot of my Christmas recipes, I had this one in my head all December long. The Santa Clause movie is probably one of my favorite Christmas movies. Therefore, I knew I wanted to create a drink inspired by not only The Santa Clause movies, but by jolly old Santa himself. For whatever reason, I always see Santa as a bourbon kind of guy. I don’t why, but that’s just the picture I have painted in my head. I guess because bourbon is warming and cozy? Who knows, but to me, Santa is a bourbon guy. And then, of course, his drink needs to be red, so in comes the pomegranate. And that’s kind of how I built this drink. It’s simple but so delicious.
The Details.
Start with the gingery syrup. I make this with honey, fresh ginger, lemon, and mint. It has all the things you need to fight off those winter colds…so really this cocktail recipe is kind of like preventative medicine. It will heal all of your wintery blues. Go with me on this. I add a splash of vanilla for an extra special touch and depth of warming wintery flavor. Plus, vanilla just makes me think sugar cookies, which of course makes me think of Santa. Next, mix up the Santa Clause Smash. Shake together a little pomegranate juice, bourbon, lemon, and that gingery syrup. My special Christmas touch to this Christmas cocktail though? GINGER BEER. You can never have too much ginger beer. It’s my favorite cocktail mixer and adds that final layer of sweetness. It’s not traditional in a bourbon smash, but it’s so much better than using plain seltzer and adds something special. Of course, if you prefer, you can use regular seltzer. Either way, these drinks are going to be so good to sip on. Serving guests? Make the Santa Clause Punch. I know so many of you are entertaining over the next couple of weeks, so I made sure to include the Christmas punch recipe too!
Looking for more holiday cocktails?
Here are all of my favorites, not only from this year but from years past as well! the north pole cocktail white christmas mojito sparkling Christmas party punch spicy pomegranate moscow mule christmas sangria holly jolly Christmas citrus cocktail the spicy sweet grinch cocktail jingle bell cranberry paloma cranberry bourbon sour holiday cheermeister bourbon punch vanilla chai tea white Russian vanilla chai old fashioned Rudolph’s rockin’ pomegranate jingle juice punch gingerbread white Russian pomegranate ginger paloma spiced cranberry rosé spritzers buddy the elf cocktail Santa’s nightcap blood orange champagne mule poinsettia spritz punch And with that, I think we’re ready for the holiday festivities to begin! The question is, which cocktails (or cocktails…) will you be making?
If you make the Santa Clause smash, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
