Santa’s Strawberry Smash (Gin Christmas Cocktail)

by Carolyn Pascual on Dec 22, 2021 (updated Dec 17, 2025)

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Looking for a festive gin Christmas cocktail that feels holiday-ready but still fresh and unexpected? Santa’s Strawberry Smash is a bright and creamy cocktail made with gin, strawberries, lime and coconut milk beverage. It’s finished with a festive Strawberry Santa Hat garnish.

If you love holiday cocktails, you’ll also want to try my Snow Globe Margarita (Coconut Tequila Holiday Cocktail) and Rosemary Vodka Collins.

I partnered with Vita Coco to mix up this Santa Strawberry Smash recipe! Recipe and ideas are my own.

Santa’s Strawberry Smash gin christmas cocktail

It’s the kind of Christmas cocktail that looks impressive at a holiday party and comes together in minutes. Whether you’re hosting friends or just want a fun seasonal gin drink, this one delivers.

So, if you’re wondering what cocktail and garnish duo you should make for the holiday festivities, I’ve got you covered! Santa’s Strawberry Smash is bursting with refreshing flavors of fresh coconuts, strawberries, and gin.

Why You’ll Love This Gin Christmas Cocktail

Festive and fresh: An unexpected holiday cocktail that doesn’t rely on heavy spices or overpowering sweetness.
Perfect for entertaining: Easy to prep and easy to scale.
Show-stopping garnish: The Strawberry Santa Hat garnish is easy and SO cute.

Recipe Ingredients

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Coconut Milk Beverage: I used Vita Coco Mlk – a light, creamy, dairy-free base that adds subtle sweetness and a tropical touch. Be sure to grab coconut beverage (in a carton) instead of coconut milk or cream of coconut which have a different consistency.
Gin: I like a balanced, gin with a lighter flavor profile like Hendrick’s for this recipe.
Lime juice: Fresh squeezed is always best.
Simple syrup: Just enough to round everything out (agave or honey syrup work too).
Strawberry: Muddled for natural sweetness and fresh flavor.

Garnish (Optional but Highly Recommended)

Toothpicks or cocktail skewers
Strawberry
Large marshmallow + mini marshmallow
Fresh mint sprig

Substitutions & Variations

Liquor swap: Swap gin for vodka for a more neutral version.
Frozen strawberries: If fresh aren’t available, I recommnd blending frozen strawberries to make a puree.
Strawberry puree: Use 1–1½ oz in place of muddling for faster prep or batching.
Sweetener swap: Honey syrup would be my top substitution (use 1:1 honey + warm water), agave also works. I wouldn’t recommend maple syrup for this particular recipe.
Lower sugar: Use monk fruit syrup instead of simple syrup.
Mocktail version: Omit the gin and replace with coconut water or non-alcoholic gin alternative for a festive, alcohol-free Christmas drink.

Tools & Equipment List

You can check out my favorite glasses here!

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Add coconut milk beverage, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled.

Step 2: Add a fresh strawberry to a lowball glass and gently muddle until broken down. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass.

Step 3: Garnish with a Strawberry Santa Hat (more details below) and a sprig of mint.

Batch Recipe

Makes 8 servings

Step 1: Make strawberry puree – Blend 8-10 strawberries and a splash of water until smooth.

Step 2: In a pitcher, combine 1 1/2 cups coconut milk beverage, 1 1/2 cups gin, 1/2 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup simple syrup. Whisk vigorously to combine.

Step 3: Option to add the strawberry puree to the pitcher and stir to combine. If you want a layered drink, add about an inch of strawberry puree to each glass. Fill with ice and pour in the coconut cocktail mixture.

Step 4: Garnish each glass and enjoy immediately.

How to Make a Strawberry Santa Hat Garnish

Slice the leaves off a strawberry to create a flat base
Slice a thin piece from a large marshmallow
Press the marshmallow slice onto the cut side of the strawberry
Skewer with a toothpick or cocktail pick
Add a mini marshmallow on top to create the “pom-pom”

Carolyn’s Tips

Some separation can occur over time so I recommend serving with a straw.
I like a gin with more delicate flavor like Hendrick’s (versus very juniper forward) for this particular cocktail.
Prep garnishes ahead of time and store them in the fridge until serving.
Mocktail version: Omit the gin and replace with coconut water or non-alcoholic gin alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this gin Christmas cocktail ahead of time?

Because of separation that can occur with citrus and the coconut, I don’t recommend making ahead of time. If you want to prepare some parts ahead of time, you can combine the lime and gin and puree strawberries (if using strawberry puree). Store in the fridge and add the coconut beverage, ice and strawberry puree when serving.

What’s the best gin for a Christmas cocktail?

When making cocktails for a group, a modern gin that’s more citrus or fruit forward like Hendrick’s works great. For the more traditional flavor, try Beefeater or Tanqueray.

Is this cocktail dairy-free?

Yes! The coconut milk beverage does not contain any dairy.

More Gin Christmas Cocktails to Try

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