This snow globe cocktail is the perfect (read: cutest) way to celebrate the holidays! Once you freeze the little rosemary trees into your cocktail glasses, you can create your own boozy (or not!) winter wonderland. After all, what’s more festive than a snow globe–or a cocktail? 

For more holiday board ideas, try my Santa Charcuterie Board, Snowman Cheese Ball, CharcuterTREE Board, Oh Christmas Brie Board, and Christmas Dessert Board.

How to Make a Snow Globe Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 sprig rosemary, cut to fit in your glass
• Fresh cranberries (optional)
• 1.5 ounces vodka
• 3 to 5 ounces soda water

Directions

1. Fill a freezer-safe glass with about an inch of still water. With the rosemary leaves angled down, place the sprig in the bottom of the glass so it stands up. Carefully add the cranberries to the water around the spring, if using (alternatively, use them as a garnish!). Place the glass in the freezer until the water is fully frozen.
2. Once the water is frozen, add the vodka and soda water and stir to combine.

NOTE: If you are having trouble getting the rosemary to stand up on its own, gently tie a piece of kitchen twine around it before adding it to the glass. Then place the sprig into the water, leaving the ends of the twine hanging over the edges of the glass. Tape the pieces of twine on each side of the glass to secure the rosemary while the water freezes. Once the water is frozen, remove the twine! 

Snow Globe Cocktail Step-by-Step Photos

Video: How to Make a Snow Globe Cocktail

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A post shared by Ain’t Too Proud To Meg (@ainttooproudtomeg)

Snow Globe Cocktail Ingredient Substitutions

The beauty of this cocktail, besides the obvious snow globe effect, is how versatile it is! Clear liquids tend to be the easiest to customize. Try some of these:

Alcohol: To get the full snow globe effect, you have to use a clear liquor, like vodka or gin! Using sparkling wine in place of liquor is also delicious, but you can also skip the booze altogether and just opt for a mixer or two!

Mixers: If you want something a little more flavorful than soda water, try something like tonic water, ginger ale, flavored seltzer (like cranberry-lime!), or Sprite—really anything you like that’s clear (or mostly clear) will do! 

For an extra festive effect, add some edible glitter to your mixer!

Flavorings: If you want to go a step further than a lightly flavored mixer, add in some of your favorite cocktail flavors! There are tons of delicious combos to try, like:

• Elderflower or Genepy liqueur
• Flavored simple syrup (like cinnamon, rosemary, cranberry, cardamom, peppermint, etc)
• Fruit garnishes (lime, orange, apple, or cranberries), see more below!
• Cranberry juice (if you don’t mind a red-tinged snow globe!)

Some of my favorite pairings:

• Prosecco, Elderflower liqueur, orange slice or lime wedge, rosemary sprig
• Vodka, soda water, cinnamon simple syrup, apple slice, cinnamon stick + star anise pods
• Gin, tonic water, rosemary simple syrup, lime wedge, sugared cranberries

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Holiday Cocktail Garnishes

Depending on what flavors you opt for, try one or more of these garnishes! Just remember that if you go for more herbal flavors, citrus/tartness is a good pairing. If you go for something sweeter/less-herbal, warming spices will pair well!

• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise pods
• Sugared cranberries
• Orange or apple slice, cut into the shape of a star
• Edible glitter (you can even get colored glitter, like red for Christmas and gold for New Years!)
• Dried apple slices
• Gingerbread cookies
• Festive cocktail sticks (try snowflakes & Christmas trees too!)

Viral Snow Globe Cocktail

This viral snow globe drink continues to go viral on social media and I have no intention of letting it go! There are so many inventive ways to make it and so many different flavors, so here are some of my favorite recipes for inspo:

1. @cheesegal on Instagram
2. @everydaycocktail on TikTok
3. @caitliniola on TikTok
4. @amandakyousif on TikTok

Glassware for Snow Globe Cocktails

First and foremost, make sure your glassware is clear and freezer-safe! If you’re not sure if your glass is safe to freeze, always opt for a thicker glass. The thinner the glass is, the more fragile it is! Also avoid adding warm or hot liquid to your cold/frozen glass.

• Lowballs
• Rocks glasses
• Stemless wine glasses 
• Stemless flutes
• Punch cups

Food Pairing for Snow Globe Cocktails

The beauty of this cocktail is that it goes with just about anything! But depending on the flavors you choose to add, some things might pair better than others…

If you go more herbal:

• Cheese (especially sharp and stinky) and charcuterie
• Crudite
• Holiday dinner dishes (think turkey, prime rib, stuffing, potatoes, roasted veggies)

If you go sweeter/more spiced:

• Cheese (especially soft and creamy)
• Fruit
• Dessert (especially with something rich like pie and cheesecake)

Show Me Your Snow Globe Cocktails

I hope this post inspires you to create festive snow globe drinks. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the cheerful drinks and snacks you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.