Holiday cocktails should feel fun, spirited, and a little bit magical, and the Santa Claus Smash delivers all of that in one glass. This Christmas recipe brings together warm bourbon, zingy ginger syrup, tart pomegranate juice, and a bubbly ginger beer topper to create a drink that tastes like winter cheer. It has that perfect balance of cozy and refreshing, which makes it great for holiday parties or quiet nights by the tree.

I still remember the first time I made this cocktail during a small holiday get together with friends. We were wrapping gifts, listening to Christmas music, and everyone wanted a drink that felt festive but not overly sweet. The Santa Claus Smash was the surprise hit of the night. The pomegranate added a beautiful ruby color, the ginger syrup made it feel warming, and the bourbon tied it all together. I loved watching everyone lean back after their first sip and smile because it hit every note just right.

This drink is also incredibly simple, which is one of the reasons it has become a go to for my winter hosting. You can shake it up in minutes, the ingredients are approachable, and the garnishes make it look like a holiday cocktail straight out of a winter magazine spread. If you want a drink that feels cheerful, tasty, and easy to share, the Santa Claus Smash belongs on your holiday menu.

Why You’ll Love This

The Santa Claus Smash has everything you want in a Christmas cocktail. It is flavorful without being heavy, beautifully colored, and full of ingredients that fit the holiday season.

The pomegranate and ginger flavors bring both brightness and warmth, and the ginger beer finish adds a bubbly lift that keeps the drink refreshing. This combination makes it a crowd pleaser for nearly any winter gathering.

Easy to Prepare: A quick shake and top, perfect for busy holiday nights.
Beautiful Festive Color: The deep red pomegranate hue makes it ideal for Christmas celebrations.
Balanced Flavor: Bourbon adds warmth, while ginger and citrus keep things lively.
Great for Entertaining: Simple steps make it easy to mix for multiple guests.
Refreshing Finish: Ginger beer keeps the drink light and bubbly.
Customizable: Easy to adjust sweetness and tartness based on taste.

All of these elements come together to create a holiday cocktail that feels fun and comforting at the same time.

Ingredients

This Christmas recipe uses a blend of winter friendly ingredients to capture that warm and cheerful holiday flavor. Bourbon forms the rich, warming base of the cocktail. Pomegranate juice adds tartness and color.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

The bourbon you choose will influence the final character of the Santa Claus Smash, but you do not need to splurge on something expensive. A smooth, versatile bourbon works best to blend with the fruit and ginger elements. If you want to experiment with substitutions or change the flavor profile slightly, there are simple swaps that still keep the drink festive.

Buffalo Trace: Smooth and mellow with warm vanilla notes.
Four Roses Bourbon: Light, floral, and great for mixed drinks.
Elijah Craig Small Batch: Rich with a hint of spice, perfect for winter cocktails.
Sub for Bourbon: Use rye whiskey for added spice or Irish whiskey for a milder finish.
Sub for Ginger Syrup: Use honey syrup with grated fresh ginger for a homemade touch.
Sub for Pomegranate Juice: Cranberry juice for a brighter tart flavor.

These options help shape the drink to your preferred flavor without losing its holiday charm.

Equipment and Glassware

The Santa Claus Smash is a simple cocktail to prepare, so you do not need special tools or advanced equipment. A basic shaker, a strainer, and a rocks glass are all you need to mix and serve it beautifully. Using clear glassware helps show off the deep red color and the garnish floating on top.

You’ll need:

Cocktail shaker
Ice
Jigger for measuring
Rocks glass or tumbler
Strainer
Spoon for stirring

Chilling your serving glass ahead of time can help maintain the drink’s cool temperature and make each sip more refreshing.

How to Make It

This cocktail comes together quickly, combining the cozy warmth of bourbon with the lively brightness of pomegranate and ginger. Shaking the ingredients ensures they blend smoothly, and topping with ginger beer gives the drink its refreshing fizz.

In a cocktail shaker, combine the pomegranate juice, bourbon, lemon juice, and ginger syrup.
Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until well chilled. The shaker should feel icy cold.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass or tumbler filled with fresh ice.
Top with ginger beer, pouring gently to preserve the bubbles.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a sprinkle of pomegranate arils for a festive touch, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing holiday cocktail.

Pro Tips

A few helpful techniques can elevate your Santa Claus Smash and make it taste even more polished. These tips help balance the flavors, strengthen the aroma, and improve the presentation for holiday gatherings.

Use fresh pomegranate juice whenever possible for richer flavor.
Shake vigorously to fully blend the ginger syrup with the bourbon.
Do not skip the lemon juice as it brightens and balances the drink.
Top with chilled ginger beer to keep the finish crisp and lively.
Add ice to the glass last to avoid melting too quickly.
Garnish with mint for a fresh scent that complements the ginger.
Taste before serving and adjust sweetness or tartness as needed.

These small steps help ensure your cocktail looks festive and tastes perfectly balanced.

Variations

This holiday cocktail is already full of flavor, but it is also fun to customize. Whether you want something sweeter, lighter, or completely alcohol free, these variations allow you to adapt the Santa Claus Smash to different occasions.

Non Alcoholic Version: Use non alcoholic bourbon and ginger ale.
Sparkling Version: Add a splash of club soda for extra fizz.
Sweeter Smash: Add a bit more ginger syrup or a splash of cranberry simple syrup.
Spicy Holiday Version: Muddle a thin slice of jalapeño before shaking.
Citrus Forward Version: Add extra lemon juice or a splash of orange juice.

Each version keeps the festive feel while letting you tailor the drink to your taste.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Santa Claus Smash fits beautifully into winter gatherings because it feels refreshing while still offering the cozy warmth of bourbon. The flavors pair well with many holiday dishes, making it a great cocktail for Christmas dinner, holiday parties, or fireside evenings.

Serve it with:

Spiced nuts and charcuterie boards
Gingerbread cookies or peppermint treats
Holiday roasts such as turkey or ham
Cheese boards with brie, aged cheddar, or goat cheese
Other festive drinks like the Cranberry Mimosa or Pomegranate Prosecco Punch

The ginger and citrus notes help balance richer winter foods, making it a great all around holiday cocktail.

Storage and Serving Notes

This cocktail is best served fresh because the ginger beer will lose its bubbles if it sits too long. However, you can prepare the base ahead of time by mixing the bourbon, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and ginger syrup in a container. Keep it chilled until ready to serve.

When guests arrive, shake individual servings with ice, pour over fresh ice, and top with ginger beer. Add garnishes just before serving to keep them vibrant.

FAQs

Holiday cocktails often bring questions about sweetness, bubbles, and substitutions. Here are a few common ones answered to help you perfect your Santa Claus Smash.

Can I use ginger ale instead of ginger beer?
Yes, but the drink will be sweeter and less spicy. Ginger beer adds more depth.

What type of bourbon works best?
Choose a smooth, mid range bourbon with warm notes, such as Buffalo Trace or Four Roses.

Can I make this as a large batch?
Yes. Mix the base ingredients in a pitcher, refrigerate, and top individual glasses with ginger beer.

Does it matter if the ginger syrup is homemade?
Homemade syrup tastes great, but store bought works just as well.

Can I make it without pomegranate arils?
Yes. The garnish is optional, but it adds a nice pop of color.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoyed the Santa Claus Smash, there are many other holiday cocktails that bring bright flavors and festive colors to winter celebrations. Here are a few great options for your next gathering:

Cranberry Ginger Paloma Pitcher a refreshing citrus and cranberry cocktail perfect for groups.
Blue Midnight Kiss light, bubbly, and vibrant.
White Cranberry Christmas Mimosa a tart and sparkling brunch favorite.
Winter Paloma a rosemary infused citrus tequila drink.
Santa’s Whiskey Flip fruity, bubbly, and party ready.