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Home » Recipes » Beverages

Published: Dec 17, 2019 · Modified: Dec 3, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Jump to Recipe

Add a little sparkle to your holidays with this festive Sugar Plum Fairy Martini! Tart cranberry juice, rich Amaretto and a touch of spice come together to make your new favorite Christmas cocktail. This Nutcracker-themed martini is a sure hit for your next holiday party, or it's the perfect relaxing sipper for an evening in front of the fireplace.

Two Sugar Plum Fairy Martinis on a marble board with a nutcracker and lights behind them.
Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Need More Festive Holiday Recipes?
  • 📖 Recipe

With the holidays here, I'm all about the jolliest of cocktails. Something with holiday flavors and a pretty hue is my kind of cocktail. Obviously, this Christmas cocktail is perfect on both fronts.

At the same time, it's a busy time of year. While I don't mind making my own simple syrup or fun cocktail infusions, sometimes you need a quick, simple cocktail to whip up for your holiday gathering. This festive martini only takes a few minutes to put together, and you can easily adjust the recipe to serve a crowd.

Related: For more holiday drink ideas, try my peppermint martini, Baileys eggnog and sparkling pomegranate martini.

A close-up of a Sugar Plum Fairy Martini with sugared cranberries and lights.

Ingredients

Before we start shaking, let's put together our ingredients for this Sugar Plum Fairy Martini.

  • Vodka
  • Amaretto
  • Cranberry juice
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Ginger ale
  • Ice
An aerial shot of two Nutcracker-themed martinis with Christmas decor around them.
Looking into two Sugar Plum Fairy Martini with a nutcracker and sugared cranberries.

How to Make

With our ingredients on hand, we're ready to make this easy, festive Christmas martini. We grab a cocktail shaker and add our vodka, Amaretto, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice and ice.

While it may seem minor, don't skip the lemon juice. I tried this martini both with and without the lemon juice, and it made a world of difference. With the rich amaretto, the lemon juice brings all the ingredients together and adds the perfect brightness.

Now we pop on the top of our cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour that tasty drink into a martini glass and top with a splash of ginger ale. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with pretty sugared cranberries if you're so inclined. Sip and enjoy!

Bonus: If you love this holiday drink, be sure to check out my collection of festive Christmas cocktails for more ideas!

A Sugar Plum Fairy Martini with another on the side with silver ornaments.

Perfect Pairing

You will love my gingerbread toffee with this holiday martini. The almond from the Amaretto and caramelized sugar from the toffee complement each other perfectly, and I'm a huge fan of the way those warm gingerbread spices play with the tart cranberry juice.

When you need a festive holiday cocktail, I hope you try this Sugar Plum Fairy Martini. This Christmas cocktail will surely take center stage at your holiday party.

Cheers!

Looking down at two Sugar Plum Fairy Martinis with silver ornaments and sugared cranberries on a marble board.
Looking straight on at a Sugar Plum Fairy Martini with lights and Christmas decor.

Need More Festive Holiday Recipes?

  • Buddy the Elf's favorite maple eggnog
  • Cranberry-spice Christmas mimosa
  • Cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria
  • Soft gingerbread men cookies with orange-vanilla icing
  • Gingerbread toffee

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

Two Sugar Plum Fairy Martinis on a marble board with a nutcracker and lights behind them.

Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

Add a little sparkle to your holidays with this festive Sugar Plum Fairy Martini! Tart cranberry juice, rich Amaretto and a touch of spice come together to make your new favorite Christmas cocktail. This Nutcracker-themed martini is a sure hit for your next holiday party, or it's the perfect relaxing sipper for an evening in front of the fireplace.
5 from 74 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 256kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or small measuring cup
  • Handheld citrus juicer

Ingredients

Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce amaretto
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Splash of ginger ale

Sugared Cranberry Garnish (Optional)

  • ½ cup sugar divided
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions

Sugar Plum Fairy Martini

  • In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, cranberry juice, Amaretto, lemon juice and a handful of ice. Pop on the top and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Strain into a martini glass. Top with a splash of ginger ale and gently stir. If desired, garnish with sugared cranberries. Enjoy!

Sugared Cranberry Garnish

  • In a small sauce pan, add ¼ cup sugar and water over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and stir to dissolve sugar.
  • Once the sugar dissolves, stir in the cranberries and turn off the heat. Make sure they're well-coated with the simple syrup.
  • On a large plate, spread the remaining ¼ cup sugar. Drain the cranberries and roll in the sugar. Allow to set on a wire rack for about an hour.

Notes

  • While this recipe is for one drink, you'll have enough sugared cranberries for several drinks.
  • If you'd like to make a big party batch for 16 servings, use 4 cups vodka, 4 cups cranberry juice, 2 cups Amaretto, eight lemons and 1 cup ginger ale. You can still serve it in martini glasses or serve it punch style in a pitcher or bowl.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 5mg | Sugar: 12g
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Scarlet says

    December 30, 2019 at 12:03 am

    This sounds and looks so festive and fun. I love cranberry and gingerale and amaretto. This is going to be a fabulous holiday martini!

    Reply
  2. GUNJAN C Dudani says

    December 29, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    5 stars
    Your images are making this martini super attractive. Its a great idea for new year eve party.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      January 03, 2020 at 5:09 pm

      For sure! It's great for any celebration this time of year.

      Reply
  3. Kathryn says

    December 29, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    What a great holiday cocktail! I may need to make them for New Year's Eve!!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      January 03, 2020 at 5:08 pm

      I'll cheers to that! ?

      Reply
  4. Elaine says

    December 29, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    5 stars
    Really like the harmony of lines in your shots - such an aesthetic photo session. Fabulous looking and delicious drink that can certainly make any party a special one!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 29, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks so much! Cocktails are my favorite to shoot. ??

      Reply
  5. Paula Montenegro says

    December 27, 2019 at 11:43 pm

    5 stars
    A truly gorgeous drink for this holiday season! The sugared cranberries are the perfect 'olive'. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 29, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Totally agree! Thanks, Paula!

      Reply
  6. Jess says

    December 27, 2019 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    What an adorable holiday cocktail! It looks and sounds delicious! I can not wait to try this one out!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 29, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Hope you love it, Jess!

      Reply
  7. Veronika says

    December 27, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    5 stars
    Your photos look so beautiful! and the drink is so delicious! It will be perfect for the holidays party and the New Year Eve!) Going to make it!)

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 27, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      Thanks so much, Veronika! It doubles great for both holidays. ?

      Reply
  8. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    December 25, 2019 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    This looks like the epitome of Christmas but in a delicious cocktail! I love how festive it is! And those sugared cranberries just make the drink!

    Gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 25, 2019 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks so much, Lori! It really is perfect for the holidays.

      Reply
  9. Marisa F. Stewart says

    December 25, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    5 stars
    Your combination of ingredients are going to make the perfect drink for my special Valentine's Day Dinner I'm planning with my Honey. That red is so pretty I can't wait to make it. We usually keep Amaretto on hand - we love it - so this drink will be easy to make.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 25, 2019 at 7:27 pm

      This would be perfect for the occasion!

      Reply
  10. Chef Dennis says

    December 24, 2019 at 6:43 am

    5 stars
    This Sugar Plum Fairy Martini will be perfect for our Christmas dinner party. I am so loving that Tart cranberry juice, rich Amaretto and a touch of spice flavor so much!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 25, 2019 at 7:26 pm

      They all go together beautifully! Hope you love it.

      Reply
  11. Ben says

    December 23, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    That is one of the best holiday cocktail recipes I've seen. From the name to the garnish, this thing is great.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      December 25, 2019 at 7:22 pm

      Thanks so much, Ben!

      Reply

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A headshot of Amanda, the owner of Burrata and Bubbles, holding a beer.

Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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