As the sweltering summer heat slowly gives way to crisp mornings, autumn leaves, and sweater weather, we're looking forward to all things fall. But besides ample opportunities for apple picking, pumpkin carving, and (let's be honest), shopping all the great sales, we're also seeking new, seasonally appropriate beverages to imbibe. If you want to embrace the oncoming coziness but aren't yet craving a decadent hot chocolate, we've found the perfect middle ground: the light, elegantly garnished Reindeer Refresher.
This tantalizing drink recipe comes to us from venerated mixologist Camille Wilson. Her new book, Christmas Cocktails, celebrates all things Yuletide. But while the versatile Reindeer Refresher appeals as a Christmas party cocktail, it's not so rich or sweet that it should be confined to late December.
"This is an easy, refreshing cocktail to mix up when you don’t have a lot of time but want something packed with flavor," Wilson writes. "The recipe calls for tequila, but this is one of those recipes that works well with almost any spirit. You can even go spirit-free if you prefer" — just leave out the booze for the mocktail version. But you don't want to skimp on the juicy, eye-catching pomegranate seeds.
Reindeer Refresher
Author: Camille Wilson
Prep Time: 5 min
Calories: 165 calories per serving
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- 2 ounces coconut water
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- Pomegranate arils for garnish
Directions
- In a highball glass or copper mug, combine the ginger beer, coconut water, tequila, pomegranate juice, and lime juice, and fill with ice. Stir to mix, then garnish with pomegranate arils.
Christmas Cocktails, text copyright © 2026 by Camille Wilson. Photographs copyright © 2026 by Neetu Laddha. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
