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Gotta tell you about my go-to holiday drink! This Mischievous Elf Cocktail always gets everyone smiling at my Christmas gatherings. When you mix the warming rum with fruity juices and add those cute decorations, you're basically pouring winter joy right into a glass!
Festive Cheer in Every Sip
The magic of this drink comes from how everything works together. That combo of tart pomegranate with bright citrus and warm spiced rum is simply amazing. And it looks so pretty too, making it just right for when you've got guests over during the holidays!
Your Holiday Drink Shopping Needs
- Sprite: Gives sweetness and bubbles for the perfect balance.
- Orange Liquor: Adds a bright citrus note that lifts all flavors.
- Cranberry Juice: Brings a wonderful tartness and festive color.
- Pomegranate Liquor: Offers deep, fruity richness to the mix.
- Red Grapefruit Juice: Delivers a tangy bitterness that cuts the sweet.
- Spiced Rum: Forms the warm, complex foundation of the drink.
- Ice Cubes: Needed to chill and slightly water down your cocktail.
- Candy Canes: Work as both cute decorations and edible stirrers.
- Sprinkles for Glass Rim (Optional): Makes your drink look extra fun and party-ready.
Mixing Your Merry Drink
- Serve
- Pour your mixed drink into your fancy rimmed glass over ice, stick a candy cane on the side, and drink up!
- Shake or Stir
- Mix everything together by shaking or going round and round with a spoon until it's all nicely combined and cold.
- Combine Ingredients
- Throw together your cranberry juice, red grapefruit juice, Sprite, pomegranate liquor, orange liquor, and spiced rum in a cocktail shaker or big container.
- Prepare the Glass
- Get your glass ready by dipping the rim in something sticky like corn syrup, then roll it in colorful sprinkles for that party look.
My Top Tricks
I always go for the good stuff when buying liquors and squeeze fresh juice whenever I can. It really makes drinks taste way better. I also pop my glasses in the freezer before making drinks. And don't skimp on ice when shaking! I make a kid-friendly version too that's super yummy.
Fancy It Up
I always grab my prettiest holiday glasses for these! Sometimes I'll smash up some candy canes for the edges or stick in some fresh mint leaves. When I'm having lots of friends over, I just mix a giant batch in a punch bowl which makes things so much easier.
Great Food Pairings
These drinks go down so well with party snacks! Try them with a big cheese platter or those yummy bacon-wrapped figs everyone loves. They're really good with seafood too, like some tasty shrimp or my tried-and-true crab cakes.
Switch It Around
Don't be afraid to change things up! I sometimes throw in some pineapple juice for a sunny twist or use rum I've soaked with cinnamon sticks for extra spice. You can make it less sweet by cutting back on the Sprite and try different fun things to decorate your glass.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I fix this drink before the party?
- You can blend the juices and booze early and keep cold, but throw in the Sprite and ice right when serving so it stays fizzy. Do the glass rims and pretty stuff last minute.
- → Which spiced rum should I grab?
- Any good spiced rum works in this drink. Try Captain Morgan, Sailor Jerry, or Kraken - they all go great with the fruity stuff. The rum spices make the drink feel warm and cozy.
- → How can I make it milder?
- You can cut back on the boozy parts and add more juice and Sprite. Just play with it until it tastes right but still has those holiday flavors.
- → What sprinkles look best on the rim?
- Red and white sprinkles or sugar bits look super festive. Pick smaller ones, and use sticky honey or simple syrup to make them stick to your glass.
- → Can kids drink it too?
- Sure, just skip the boozy stuff and use cranberry juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, and extra Sprite. Add a bit of grenadine for sweetness and color. Dress it up the same way.