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Keeping things festive and cheerful with The Sweet and Spicy Cheermeister Cocktail. Homemade ginger and honey simple syrup infused with spicy jalapeños, mixed with tequila, smoky mezcal (if you’d like), lemon, and pomegranate juice. Top everything off with sparkling water. It’s a touch of sweet and a little bit spicy. And don’t skip that salty, spicy-sweet, chili sugar-rimmed glass for the perfect Christmas drink. It’s both festive and warming, ideal for these cold December nights.
It’s not a secret that I love a good Christmas cocktail. I love developing the recipes, coming up with fun names, and creating a real Christmas scene within the photos. Creating these drinks is really something I look forward to every single year.
And you know something? Just when I think I might not have yet another cocktail idea…an idea sparks, and I’m immediately excited. Enter this Sweet and Spicy Cheermeister Cocktail. I wanted to create a cocktail that was warming but had a bit of a kick to it. I thought back to the drinks my family has really loved the most. The two things I came up with that everyone loves most within a cocktail?
A little tequila paired with some spiciness.
I took that and added some special touches. In the end, I came out with a cocktail that’s totally different, but so delicious. And festive…which you know I am all about.
Here are the details.
As with most of my cocktails, this is simple to throw together. There’s even a punch version to serve the whole family when needed.
You’ll want to start with the syrup. My new(ish) thing these days is homemade cocktail syrups. I’ve decided they can really take a drink from just ok, to very delicious. They’re not always needed, but a spicy ginger syrup is what really makes this drink.
And it’s so simple to make. You just need honey, ginger, and fresh jalapeños. Simmer everything together, then use the syrup within your cocktail. If you don’t love an overly spicy drink, you can easily control the heat level by reducing the amount of jalapeño. Or if you love spicy – add more!
Once you have the syrup made, the rest is SIMPLE.
First, start with the salted chili sugar. It’s simply sea salt, chili powder, and granulated sugar mixed together. But it adds a festive, salty, spicy, and sweet touch to each drink.
Then just shake everything together in a cocktail shaker or even just a glass jar with a lid (use what you have). Shake together that ginger syrup, a splash (or two) of tequila, mezcal (or more tequila), lemon, and pomegranate juice. Strain into your glass, then top off with sparkling water for a touch of fizz too.
Simple and perfect.
My cousin has already requested a batch or two of the punch version for Christmas Eve and I can’t wait to make this again for everyone. I already know it’s going to be a favorite…this one contains everything they all love most in a cocktail.
My Suggestion?
Christmas movies, cocktails….and enjoy a Saturday night at home by the fire. There isn’t much else to do these days, but honestly, this sounds like my ideal December night.
Hope you all enjoy!
Looking for other simple Christmas cocktails? Here are my favorites:
Sparkling Christmas Party Punch
Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail
Lastly, if you make The Sweet and Spicy Cheermeister 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!
The Sweet and Spicy Cheermeister Cocktail
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 852 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Ginger Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 inch fresh ginger sliced
- 1-2 jalapeño sliced, to your taste
Cocktail
- salted chili sugar, for the rim (see notes)
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce mezcal (or additional tequila)
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 cup pomegranate or cranberry juice
- sparkling water, for topping
Instructions
- 1. To make the ginger syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, ginger, and the jalapeños to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.2. On a shallow plate, combine the salt, sugar, and chili powder. Rim your glass, then fill with ice. 3. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons ginger syrup, the tequila, mezcal, lemon juice, and pomegranate juice. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Salted Chili Sugar: Mix 1/4 cup sea salt, 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon chipotle or regular chili powder. Use as directed above.
Cheermister Punch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 383 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Ginger Syrup
- 3/4 cup honey
- 2 inches fresh ginger, sliced
- 2-3 jalapeño, sliced, to your taste
Punch
- salted chili sugar, for the rim (see notes)
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 1/2 cup mezcal (or additional tequila)
- 1 cup lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 2 cups pomegranate or cranberry juice
- 4 cans sparkling water
Instructions
- 1. To make the ginger syrup. In a medium pot, bring 3/4 cup water, the honey, ginger and jalapeños to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. 2. Rim each glass with sugar before serving.3. In a punch bowl, combine the ginger syrup, tequila, mezcal, lemon juice, and pomegranate juice. Stir to combine, chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice, then top off with sparkling water (or add the sparkling water to the punch bowl). Garnish as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Salted Chili Sugar: Mix 1/4 cup sea salt, 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon chipotle or regular chili powder. Use as directed above.
This beauty was a hit tonight!! My friends and I like spicy so I used 2 jalapeños. Between that and the yummy sugar,chili, salt it was a whole host of flavors. Perfecto!
Hey Laura,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
What type of tequila do you recommend?
Hey Dana,
I like Casamigos. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made the punch version last night and it turned out soo good! My friends like making cocktails so there’s always a little competition on who makes the best one…this was the winner! When I started this drink I went with the proportions as listed (8 servings) but then realized that would not be enough so ended up doubling the recipe but this was not until I had already made a batch of ginger syrup. This actually worked out because I was able to readjust for the 2nd batch – for my taste the perfect ratio ended up being 2 jalapeños – quartered with all the seeds in and a 4” knob of ginger. After boiling for 3 mins I left everything in for a half hour. For the punch I went with pomegranate juice and added the simple syrup and club soda to taste – I’d say I used about 75% of the syrup and it reached the ideal sweetness and spice level.
Hey there!
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Absolutely divine! Definitely getting me in the Christmas spirit! The syrup is a game changer!
Thank you Broneyn! xTieghan
This cocktail was perfect! The syrup and chili salt rim def help elevate the drink, and with the mezcal it creates this great blend of spicy and smoky. Will for sure be making this again!
Thank you Rosie! xTieghan
another great cocktail and beautifully Christmas red! thank you
Thank you Sabrina! xTieghan
Making this for a holiday party tomorrow but need to make the syrup ahead of time- any issues with that? Would assume no but wanted to confirm!
Hey Makayla,
You can totally make the syrup ahead of time, just keep it in the fridge. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Want to try this recipe! Where do you get these lovely margarita glasses??
Hey Tressa,
So sorry these are old, and I do not have the link but here are some fun glasses you might like:
https://rstyle.me/+7RK4v39F9RqwbYmAZm0RCw
https://rstyle.me/+foTmPzzcV-EahfAYC27jsQ
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is my ideal drink!!! Making this sooooon.
Thank you Emily! I am really glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
Made this tonight and it’s delicious! The recipe does not say how much of the syrup to use and it also doesn’t say when to add it. I ended up using 1/2 oz. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Elsa! xTieghan
Great cocktail! Thanks!
Thank you Julie! xTieghan
Oh, my gosh, this sounds so me (minus the ginger).
I hope you love this one, Dee!! xTieghan
Instructions for ginger syrup do not mention honey, but it’s listed in the ingredients. I’m betting it should be add all ingredients plus 1/2 cup water to pan & boil? 🙂 right? (That’s what I did ~ it was lovely! Thank you!
Hey Deborah,
The honey is listed in step 1, sorry for the confusion! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, can you please clarify something for the simple syrup? The ingredients list honey but the instructions say water. Is it just straight honey or a combination of honey and water? Making today to test drive Christmas cocktails! 😉
Hey Tammy,
You are using both honey and water, both listed in step 1. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Omg yum!! One question, at what point do you add the honey to the ginger syrup? This is going to be on our Christmas menu – it will pair so well with our homemade tamales!
Hey Megan,
The honey is added in step 1. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan