Rudolph’s Red Noses (Cocktail + Mocktail)
A bright, slushy holiday drink with a sweet-tart cranberry kick and a “red nose” topper.
Yield: 2 drinks
Time: 5–10 min
Cocktail Version
Ingredients
4 oz (120 ml) vodka
4 oz (120 ml) cranberry juice (100% or cocktail—see notes)
2 oz (60 ml) grenadine
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2–3 cups ice (enough for a slushy blend)
Rim + Toppings (optional but cute)
2 tbsp simple syrup or honey (for rim)
3–4 tbsp red sanding sugar (or crushed red candy canes)
Whipped cream
2 red gumdrops or cherries (the “nose”)
Candy canes (stir stick)
Instructions
Rim the glasses (optional): Brush the rim with simple syrup, dip into red sanding sugar.
Blend: Add vodka, cranberry juice, grenadine, lemon juice, and ice to a blender. Blend until slushy.
Pour: Divide into 2 tall glasses.
Top: Add whipped cream, sprinkle a little red sugar, and place a gumdrop/cherry on top. Add candy cane.
Mocktail Version (No Alcohol)
Ingredients
4 oz (120 ml) cranberry juice
2 oz (60 ml) pomegranate juice or more cranberry juice
2 oz (60 ml) grenadine (or strawberry syrup)
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
2–3 cups ice
Optional: 2–4 oz lemon-lime soda (for a lighter, fizzier finish)
Rim + toppings: same as above
Instructions
Rim glasses if desired.
Blend juices + syrup + lemon juice + ice until slushy.
Pour, then (optional) top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.
Add whipped cream + “red nose” garnish.
Notes (so it tastes amazing)
If your cranberry juice is very sweet, reduce grenadine to 1–1.5 oz total.
If using 100% cranberry (tart), the full grenadine amount is perfect.
Want it more “wintery”? Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon to the blender.
