Rudolph's Red Noses

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.