Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Keeping things festive and fun with my Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Cocktail. Cranberry juice mixed with vodka, St. Germain, a squeeze of lemon juice, bitters, spicy-sweet jalapeño honey, and topped off with ginger beer. It’s a touch of sweet and a little bit of spice – the perfect “holiday storm”. Rim your glasses in sweet mint sugar to create a Christmas cocktail that sparkles. It’s spicy, sweet, and festive – ideal for these cold winter nights. Mocktail variation in the notes section.
It’s safe to say that when my family celebrates the holidays, we really know how to have fun. It’s complete chaos, but it wouldn’t be Christmastime otherwise. Every night when the family is here for Christmas vacation, a board game is being played, food is cooking, the chatter is loud, and there’s always a new cocktail being mixed.
I created this Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Cocktail with my family in mind. I thought it would be the perfect new drink to mix up this year when all the chaos begins.
I’m sure many of you have lingering Thanksgiving guests. You may be feeling a little run down from all the days of cooking (and possibly Black Friday shopping too). Well, this drink is the perfect pick-me-up.
Yes, festive cocktails have arrived! These holiday drinks are my favorite to share and I plan to create some of my best cocktails yet.
I’m excited!!
The details
This cocktail is simple as can be. Start with the spicy honey. Simply simmer honey with jalapeños and ginger to infuse the honey with flavor. This will add sweetness and spice to our cocktail.
Once you have the syrup together, make the drink. Stir together the cranberry juice, vodka, St. Germain, lemon, and bitters, then pour over a glass filled with ice. It can be any glass, but I thought these coupe glasses felt pretty fun and festive.
Then top them off with ginger beer. So very GOOD.
If you want to add something extra, I also made a sweet mint sugar to rim each glass. This isn’t needed, but it is fun!
If you want to serve this drink for a holiday party, make the punch version. It serves 8 or so people, but can easily be doubled or tripled. I will for sure be mixing up this punch when my family starts tricking in for Christmas mid-December. This drink has all of their favorites in one. I know they’ll love it!
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Cocktail, 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!
Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Cocktail
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 379 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Jalapeño honey syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced
- 6 slices fresh ginger
Cocktail
- 1/3 cup cranberry juice
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce St. Germain (elderflower liquor)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1-2 dashes bitters
- 1 ginger beer
- sugared cranberries, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the jalapeño honey syrup. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, jalapeños, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This makes enough for 6-8 drinks. The longer you allow the jalapeños to sit, the spicier the syrup. 2. Rim your glass in sugar, then fill with ice.3. Combine the cranberry juice, vodka, St. Germain, lemon juice, bitters, and 1-2 tablespoon jalapeño honey in a cocktail shaker. Stir to combine. Strain into your glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish as desired with cranberries and mint. Enjoy!
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup honey and 1/3 cup water to a boil. Cook 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. Add 2 cups fresh cranberries. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.
Notes
To Make a Mocktail: omit the vodka and St. Germain and use 2 tablespoons of pomegranate juice, plus 1 tablespoon of apple cider.
Mint Sugar Rim: On a shallow plate, combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup chopped mint. Rim each glass as desired.
Spicy Sweet Holiday Storm Punch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 379 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Jalapeño Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1-2 jalapeños, sliced sliced
- 6 slices fresh ginger
Punch
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups vodka
- 1/2 cup St. Germain (elderflower liquor)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 4 dashes bitters
- 6 ginger beers
- sugared cranberries, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the jalapeño syrup. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, jalapeños, and ginger to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This makes enough for 6-8 drinks. The longer you allow the jalapeños to sit, the spicier the syrup.2. In a punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice, vodka, St. Germain, lemon juice, bitters, and jalapeño honey. Stir to combine. Chill until ready to serve. 3. Just before serving, add ice to your punch bowl. Pour over the ginger beer. Rim your glasses, then add ice. Pour over the punch. Serve with cranberries and mint. Enjoy!
Notes
To Make a Mocktail Punch: omit the vodka and St. Germain and use 2 cups of pomegranate juice, plus 1/3 cup of apple cider.
Mint Sugar Rim: On a shallow plate, combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup chopped mint. Rim each glass as desired.
Outstanding! I set up a self-serve bar with a batch of Smoky mocktails and a hand-written note to guests about what to add to complete a cocktail. It was a hit with both groups. The bowl of sugared cranberries for the drinks was quite festive and a talking point.
Hi! Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try! Hope you have a wonderful New Year! 🙂 xT
Hi! Could I sub the ginger beer with ginger liqueur? I’m gonna try to do a big batch for a Christmas party this Saturday!
Hi Carla! Sounds like it would be delicious! Let me know if you give it a try! xT
Is it always a 1/2 cup of water for the syrup no matter how much you are making. As I adjust the numbers the water in the recipe stays constant. Is that correct?
When making the punch how far ahead can you make? Will the ginger beer go flat? Party on Friday…..can I mix and put in fridge on Weds to chill?
Hi there! I would recommend making the day of or the morning of if you’re wanting the flavors to work well and not have the ginger beer go flat! xT
Also, can you substitute rosemary for the mint?
Hi Marcella,
Sure, that will work for you!
I would like to make a batch minus the vodka and St. Germain. I would like to put the vodka and the St. Germain who want a cocktail and also offer the pomegranate juice and apple cider for those that want a mocktail.
Can you tell me how much booze for one drink? And, how much pomegranate juice and apple cider for one drink? In other words they will be adding it after they pour the punch.
Hi Marcella,
You can follow the recipes above, I shared how to make 1 drink as a cocktail and as a mocktail and then I also shared how to make a punch with the alcohol and without the alcohol. I hope you love the recipe! xx
Can’t wait to try. How much ginger beer do you use per serving?
Hey there,
I just use a splash:) I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xx
Glorious sweet and spicy combo. Somehow the flavors all blend beautifully!
Hey Dana,
Happy Monday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
We made this cocktail for Christmas Eve and it was a huge hit! By far, my favorite combination of ingredients. Thank you Tieghan and Half Baked Harvest!
Hey Anne,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear this was enjoyed! xT
I made this as a single drink and as a double batch cocktail for our large Christmas Party. Both ways it was a huge hit. I loved the jalapeño/ginger/honey simple syrup. It really made the drink special. And anything with St. Germain in it is worth drinking! It’s going into my little black book of special drinks to make!
Hey Nancy,
Happy Wednesday!!🎇 I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you making it! xx
Is this cranberry cocktail like with sugar or straight cranberry juice that makes you picker🤦🏼♀️🤷♀️😂
Hi Casey,
I like to use straight cranberry juice:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT