Christmapolitan Recipe

Rim the glass

Place the superfine sugar on a small plate. Run the lime wheel around the rim of a chilled coupe or martini glass, then dip the rim into the sugar to lightly coat. Set the glass aside in the fridge or freezer to chill while you mix the cocktail.

Add the vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Add 6 ice cubes to the shaker. If using cranberry bitters, add 2 dashes now.

Shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted. This chills and dilutes the drink to balance the flavors.

Strain the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer (or the shaker's strainer) into the chilled, sugar-rimmed coupe glass. If you prefer the drink on the rocks, fill a rocks glass with serving ice and pour over the ice instead.

Skewer 4 fresh cranberries on a short cocktail pick and rest it across the rim of the glass, or float the cranberries in the drink. Add the lime wheel on the rim or float beside the cranberries.

If using, slap the rosemary sprig gently between your palms to release oils and place it upright in the drink or rest it on the rim for an aromatic finish.

Serve immediately while cold. Recommend: enjoy as part of the 'Miracle at Union Station' holiday lineup as a festive, cranberry-forward cosmopolitan riff.