How to Make a Rum Rum Rudolph Cocktail

Surprisingly, the Rum Rum Rudolph is not a classic cocktail. The idea has made its way around social media paired with the classic “Run Rudolph Run” holiday song, but other than that, there’s no standard recipe for it—yet.

This recipe just might become the classic. It features an absolutely delicious spiced cranberry syrup that can be used in all kinds of holiday cocktails. The spiced cranberry flavor is inspired by a drink from Craft and Cocktails, but otherwise it’s an all-new festive cocktail for the season.

Rum Rum Rudolph Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

Spiced cranberry syrup:

• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light, dark or a combo of both works just fine)
• 1 cup 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
• 8 whole cloves
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 green cardamom pods, crushed and torn apart

The syrup makes enough for 8 cocktails.

Cocktail:

• 2 ounces spiced rum
• 1 ounce spiced cranberry syrup
• 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 3 dashes citrus bitters
• 1/2 ounce egg white, optional

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to use 100% cranberry juice that is unsweetened. It will be tart! Use any leftover cranberry juice to make a Poinsettia.

Directions

Step 1: Make the spiced cranberry syrup

Combine sugar, cranberry juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks and cardamom in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook 5 minutes. Turn off heat, cover and let steep 15 minutes.

Remove lid and strain out the spices.

Step 2: Shake the cocktail

Add rum, spiced cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, lemon juice, bitters and pinch of salt to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to chill, about 15 seconds.

Strain cocktail into one half of cocktail shaker, then add egg white. Discard ice and shake again to foam the egg white, about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, garnish and serve.

Lauren Grant for Taste of Home

Tips for Making a Rum Rum Rudolph

How to garnish a Rum Rum Rudolph

I recommend garnishing a Rum Rum Rudolph with a fresh cranberry that has two tiny sprigs of rosemary sticking out of it to look like a little reindeer. To make this, prick two holes in the cranberry using a toothpick and cut a thin slice in the bottom. Secure two rosemary sprigs in the holes and secure the cranberry to the side of the glass using the slit.

How to prep the syrup before a party

Since this cocktail is perfect for the holidays, you may wonder how to prep it ahead of time. For starters, the syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead of time and stored in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator.

The day you plan to serve this cocktail, mix everything up in a large pitcher, minus the egg white, and chill in the refrigerator. Then, when you’re ready, just measure, shake and serve. (Be sure to prep your garnishes ahead of time as well!)

If you’re in the market for more make-ahead cocktails, Chilean Monkey Tail Punch and Mulled Wine are both great options.