The Snow Globe Cocktail – How To Make The Festive Drink That Everyone’s Talking About

When it comes to a certain well-known social media app, trends come and go in a matter of weeks. I can think of plenty that shouldn’t have lasted even that long. (Remember the viral butt-lifting leggings? I’m still trying to forget them.)

But every now and then, one comes along that’s pretty darn great and is worth keeping around.

One such phenomenon is the TikTok snow globe cocktail. This thing is so cute and fun. It’s one part cocktail and one part stunning party decoration. Did I mention that they are super easy to make, and the finished product looks like you put way more effort into it than you did?

If, like me, you live under a rock and you’re just now hearing about this, here’s everything you need to know about the snow globe cocktail.

It showed up in 2022 but really took off in 2023. The fact that it came back for a second season and now a third seems to indicate this fun little party trick is here to stay.

Okay, So What Is It?

While it’s called a “cocktail,” really, it’s just a way of preparing a glass so that whatever drink you add to it looks like a little snow globe. The idea is to pour water in the bottom of a glass, add a sprig of rosemary so it looks like a little Christmas tree, and a few cranberries. Then you freeze the whole thing.

The magic happens when you pour a carbonated drink into it and – voila – instant fizzy snowstorm.

The genius here is that, so long as you’re using a light-colored liquid, this can be turned into a cocktail, mocktail, or family-friendly punch.

Okay, let’s make it!

How to Make a Snow Globe Cocktail

Materials:

• Clear, freezer-safe glasses – Skip thinner glasses that are more likely to crack. Avoid patterned glasses as they make it harder to see the effect. “Shatter-proof” cocktail glasses are a great option here. These stylish Bormioli Rocco Bodega glass tumblers are made of tempered glass making them ideal for these snow globe cocktails.
• Butcher’s string or plain cotton twine
• Masking tape
• Rosemary sprigs – try to use sprigs that are more Christmas tree-shaped for the best effect
• Fresh or frozen whole cranberries

Instructions:

1. Trim your rosemary sprigs so that they sit just inside the glass, an inch below the lip. (Otherwise, you’ll get poked in the nose with rosemary every time you take a sip. Not that I know from experience or anything.)
2. Place cranberries in the bottom of the glass so that they cover the entire bottom. You don’t want to add so many that you don’t leave enough room for the drink.
3. Now, pour water into the bottom of the glass so that it comes almost to the top of the cranberries. Try not to cover them.
4. Wrap a length of cotton butcher’s twine around the top of the rosemary, then use masking tape to attach the end of the string to the outside of the glass. You’re trying to create a little scaffolding to hold the “tree” upright while everything freezes.
5. Place them on a baking sheet or a flat spot in your freezer. It takes about an hour for them to freeze solid.
6. Once the water is frozen solid, the glasses are ready for a little snow globe action. Simply pour your clear or light-colored carbonated beverage of choice into the glass and serve immediately!

Here are a few tips that will ensure stunning snow globe cocktails.

• I found the frozen cranberries easier to work with as the fresh cranberries tended to float.
• Add some edible glitter for a stunning and longer lasting snow globe effect.
• Don’t remove the glasses from the freezer until you are ready to pour your drink of choice. Uncork bottles of sparkling wine and mix up drinks like a gin and tonic first, then pull your glasses out of the freezer.
• Carefully wipe the outside of the glass with a lint-free hand towel to remove the condensation so you can see the “snowstorm.”
• Provide your guests with a cocktail napkin to set the glass on or protect their hands as the bottom is quite cold.
• The fun only lasts for about one drink before the ice in the bottom melts. If you would like to be able to refresh your guests’ drinks, you’ll want to prepare enough glasses ahead of time.
• Instead of using cranberries, try fresh pomegranate arils. Pomegranates come into season just in time for the holidays, and the beautiful ruby-like arils seem to glow once frozen in the ice.
• These are so much fun for the sober-curious crowd. Far too often, mocktails and other NA drinks don’t get as much love as fancier cocktails do. This is a fun way to make your non-alcoholic offerings a bit more appealing.

Drink Options to Put in Your Snow Globe Cocktails

• Champagne
• Prosecco
• Sparkling Rose
• White Wine Spritzer
• Ginger Ale or Beer
• Gin & Tonic
• Vodka & Soda
• Sparkling Cider
• Sparkling Grape Juice
• Sparkling Water
• Club Soda

As far as viral trends go, the snow globe cocktail has proven to be more than just a passing fad, and it’s not hard to see why. They are easy and fun to make and really add that “wow” factor to any party. Whether you opt for a classic alcoholic version or something more family-friendly, the snow globe cocktail is sure to impress at your next gathering.