Another holiday, another charming cocktail. I consider it my duty to commemorate the season with a signature drink, my pleasure to add a festive 'toast' to Mixology Monday, and certainly my excuse to try some yummy new mixers. Equally important is my [self-appointed] job of providing my extended family with a novelty cocktail to usher in another year of holiday celebrating. This year may I present: the Christmas Kazi.

I have always been a big fan of colors: choosing a range of earthy colors and painting my house inside  (yellows, browns, greens) and out (think: avocado) was invigorating. In my elementary years I created earrings, friendship pins and even layered socks to coordinate with my attire (and that was when fluorescent sweatshirts were all the rage---yikes). So when I had the notion to come up with a holiday drink, this year meant inserting the cheery combination of red and green.

The green-sugared rim is Green Apple sugar I purchased from Williams Sonoma. Of course, my son was mortified (having just been through a nutrition unit at school) that it contained FD&C Blue #1 Lake and Yellow #5 dyes which are not natural and not healthy. Even the sparkling, organic cranberry juice I bought didn't curb his concern. So if you want to stay ever-so healthy with this alcohol-centered drink by all means mortar organic raw sugar with mint or lime zest---or skip the sugar and put a pre-washed, lovely sprig of rosemary right into the drink. Yummy, still festive, and 4th grade approved.

I am proud to announce that instead of randomly pouring portions, I measured this little chalice of Christmas so you could re-create it indefinitely. Oh, and my husband and I drank our share last night to ensure they were blog-and-holiday worthy. We adored the Christmas concoction---so much so that post-holiday we may have to rename it so we can drink it year round. But for now, here is the so-named Christmas Kazi:

Christmas Kazi 2 oz. vodka 1 1/2 oz. triple sec 1/2 large lime, juiced 2 oz. sparkling cranberry juice

Serves 1. Which is never enough, so of course I double it. Use lime wedge to wet glass rim, dip in sugar. (Or cut and insert healthy rosemary sprig). Pour the sparkling cranberry juice directly into the martini glass. Mix vodka, triple sec and lime juice in cocktail shaker and shake to chill (or place in pint glass with lime halves and muddle). Fill glass and serve/drink.

Note: I bought the sparkling cranberry juice from Trader Joes, but you can buy this at most grocery stores; find it next to the sparkling apple cider.