Holiday pomegranate peppermint cosmopolitan

There's no place like home for the holidays! With a much smaller Christmas this year, we still plan on dressing up and celebrating the festive season. One of the ways we are celebrating is also creating a cocktail inspired by the holidays, with a deep red color and of course, candy canes which are a Christmas staple.

For a fun spin on a classic cosmopolitan, we used pomegranate juice and infused our own peppermint vanilla vodka for a subtle yet delightful flavor. To dress up the cocktail even more, adding a candy cane garnish makes for a beautiful presentation while placed on a decorative red tray with flowers, holiday decor items and cocktail napkins. No matter how you are celebrating the holidays, share a "cheers" with a merry cocktail!

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INGREDIENTS

Peppermint infused vanilla vodka

6 - 10 candy canes

1 bottle of vanilla vodka

Large mason jar

*Makes 4 cocktails

Holiday pomegranate peppermint cosmopolitan

1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice

2 limes

3 shots peppermint vanilla vodka

2 Tbl simple syrup

3 candy canes for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Peppermint infused vanilla vodka

1. Pour vanilla vodka into a mason jar. I only used half the bottle but if you want more infused vodka, feel free to use the entire bottle.

2. Unwrap your candy canes and place in a small plastic ziploc bag. Smash the candy canes using the back of a wooden spatula or mallet. Once the candy canes are crushed, pour into the mason jar filled with vodka. I used 6 candy canes, however if you want a more prominent peppermint flavor incorporate additional candy canes.

3. Place in a cool, dry area for two days.

Holiday pomegranate peppermint cosmopolitan

1. Combine pomegranate juice, lime juice, peppermint vanilla vodka and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake until combined. Set aside.

2. For a garnished glass, pour 1 tablespoon simple syrup onto a plate. Next, unwrap your candy canes and place in a small plastic ziploc bag. Smash the candy canes using the back of a wooden spatula or mallet. Once the candy cane is in pieces, pour out of the bag onto a plate. Next, take your glass and place upside down into the simple syrup, rotate until covered. Then, lower the rim into the crushed candy canes and rotate until covered. Repeat with four glasses.

3. Strain the cocktail into each glass and enjoy!