Cranberry drinks are wonderful for adding a bright, festive touch to any occasion. I really enjoy how the tartness of cranberries can uplift classic cocktails and create exciting new flavors. Whether you like something sparkling, a bit boozy, or a little spicy, these cranberry recipes have you covered.
I’ve put together my favorite cranberry cocktail recipes that are easy to make at home. You’ll find a drink for every taste, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying a quiet evening. Each recipe gives you simple steps to create a delightful cranberry drink.
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Cranberry Aperol Spritz Cocktail
- 2. Cranberry Bourbon Smash Drink
- 3. Cranberry Gin And Tonic Cocktail
- 4. Cranberry Ginger Paloma Cocktail
- 5. Cranberry Negroni Cocktail
- 6. Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule Drink
- 7. Cranberry Prosecco Pomegranate Cocktail
- 8. Cranberry Sangria
- 9. Cranberry Whiskey Sour Drink
Cranberry Aperol Spritz Cocktail
This light and bubbly cranberry spritz is perfect for a refreshing treat. The bitter orange notes of Aperol meet the bright taste of cranberry for a lovely drink.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Aperol Balance: The bittersweet Aperol pairs well with the tart cranberry. You can adjust the amount to your taste.
- Sparkling Finish: Prosecco and a splash of club soda give this spritz its signature light and bubbly texture.
What You Need
- 1.5 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 3 oz Prosecco
- Splash of Club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
⏱️ Time: 5 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine Liquids
Fill a large wine glass or a highball glass with ice. Pour in the Aperol and cranberry juice.
Step 2: Top and Serve
Top with Prosecco and a small splash of club soda. Gently stir. Garnish your Cranberry Aperol Spritz with a fresh orange slice and serve right away.
📝 Final Note
For a less sweet drink, you can use unsweetened cranberry juice or add a little extra club soda.
Cranberry Bourbon Smash Drink
This cranberry bourbon smash is a comforting and bright drink. It mixes the warmth of bourbon with fresh mint and the tartness of cranberry for a balanced taste.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Mint: Gently muddle the mint to release its oils without making it bitter.
- Bourbon Choice: Use a bourbon you enjoy drinking on its own, as its flavor will shine through.
What You Need
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
- 4-5 Fresh mint leaves
- Lemon wedge
⏱️ Time: 7 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Muddle Mint
In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup. You just want to bruise the leaves to release their aroma.
Step 2: Shake and Strain
Add bourbon, cranberry juice, and a squeeze from the lemon wedge to the shaker with ice. Shake well until everything is cold. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve this Cranberry Bourbon Smash.
📝 Final Note
If you like it sweeter, you can add a touch more simple syrup. If you prefer it tarter, add more lemon juice.
Cranberry Gin And Tonic Cocktail
This Cranberry Gin and Tonic is a fun take on a classic. The bright, herbal gin and tonic water get a lovely red color and tart flavor from cranberry juice.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Quality Gin: Choose a gin with botanicals you enjoy, as it’s a main flavor in this drink.
- Fresh Garnish: A lime wedge and fresh cranberries add a nice look and extra zest.
What You Need
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 4-5 oz Tonic water
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 4 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Build in Glass
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the gin and cranberry juice.
Step 2: Top and Garnish
Top the drink with tonic water and stir gently. Garnish your Cranberry Gin and Tonic with a lime wedge and a few fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
You can adjust the amount of cranberry juice to make it sweeter or tarter, depending on your preference.
Cranberry Ginger Paloma Cocktail
This Cranberry Ginger Paloma is a lively and refreshing drink. It combines tequila with the tartness of cranberry, a kick of ginger, and the sparkle of grapefruit soda.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Ginger Flavor: Use ginger beer for a stronger ginger taste, or ginger ale for a milder spice.
- Salt Rim: A simple salt rim on your glass will enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
What You Need
- 2 oz Tequila (Blanco)
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz Lime juice
- 3-4 oz Ginger beer or grapefruit soda
- Lime wedge and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 6 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Rim and Combine
If desired, rim a highball glass with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Add tequila, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice to the glass.
Step 2: Top and Garnish
Top with ginger beer or grapefruit soda and stir gently. Garnish your Cranberry Ginger Paloma with a lime wedge and some fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
For an extra layer of flavor, try muddling a thin slice of fresh ginger in the glass before adding ice and liquids.
Cranberry Negroni Cocktail
This Cranberry Negroni is a sophisticated drink with a beautiful red color. It takes the classic bitter Negroni and adds a bright, tart cranberry flavor.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Equal Parts: The classic Negroni ratio is equal parts of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Adjust cranberry to taste.
- Stir, Don’t Shake: Stirring a Negroni helps to chill it evenly without diluting it too much, keeping its rich flavors intact.
What You Need
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- 0.5-1 oz Cranberry juice
- Orange peel or fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 5 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine and Stir
In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine the gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and cranberry juice. Stir well for about 30 seconds until the drink is very cold.
Step 2: Serve and Garnish
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube or fresh ice. Garnish your Cranberry Negroni with an orange peel or a few fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
For a less bitter taste, you can slightly reduce the Campari or increase the sweet vermouth.
Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule Drink
This Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule is a bright and zesty drink. It combines the classic ginger kick with the fresh tastes of cranberry and orange, all served in a cool copper mug.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Copper Mug: A copper mug keeps the drink extra cold, which is perfect for a Moscow Mule.
- Fresh Juices: Using freshly squeezed orange and lime juice makes a big difference in flavor.
What You Need
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1.5 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz Orange juice
- 0.5 oz Lime juice
- 4-5 oz Ginger beer
- Orange slice and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 6 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine Juices and Vodka
Fill a copper mug (or a highball glass) with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice to the mug.
Step 2: Top and Serve
Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish your Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule with an orange slice and a few fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
For a spicier kick, use a stronger ginger beer. For a milder drink, use ginger ale instead.
Cranberry Prosecco Pomegranate Cocktail
This Cranberry Prosecco Pomegranate Cocktail is elegant and bubbly. It combines the bright tastes of cranberry and pomegranate with sparkling Prosecco for a truly festive drink.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chilled Ingredients: Make sure all your liquid ingredients are very cold before mixing for the best taste.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Fresh pomegranate seeds sink to the bottom and add a beautiful touch.
What You Need
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 1 oz Pomegranate juice
- 0.5 oz Orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 4-5 oz Chilled Prosecco
- Pomegranate seeds and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 5 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Mix Juices and Liqueur
In a champagne flute or coupe glass, pour the cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and orange liqueur.
Step 2: Top with Prosecco
Gently top the mixture with chilled Prosecco. Garnish your Cranberry Prosecco Pomegranate Cocktail with a few pomegranate seeds and fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
You can make a larger batch of the juice and liqueur mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge, then just add Prosecco when you’re ready to serve.
Cranberry Sangria
This Cranberry Sangria is perfect for parties. It blends red wine with cranberry juice and lots of fresh fruit for a sweet and tart batch drink.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Choose Your Wine: A dry red wine like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon works well, allowing the fruit flavors to shine.
- Chill Time: Letting the sangria sit in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) helps the fruit flavors blend beautifully.
What You Need
- 1 bottle (750ml) Red wine
- 2 cups Cranberry juice
- 0.5 cup Orange liqueur (like Triple Sec)
- 1 Orange, sliced
- 1 Apple, diced
- 0.5 cup Fresh cranberries
⏱️ Time: 15 mins prep + 2 hrs chill🍽️ Yields: 6-8 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine Liquids and Fruit
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the red wine, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur. Add the sliced orange, diced apple, and fresh cranberries.
Step 2: Chill and Serve
Stir everything together and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to blend. Serve your Cranberry Sangria over ice.
📝 Final Note
You can add a splash of sparkling water or club soda just before serving for an extra bubbly touch.
Cranberry Whiskey Sour Drink
This Cranberry Whiskey Sour is a delightful take on a classic. The traditional whiskey sour gets a tart and fruity boost from cranberry, making it both warming and refreshing.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Always use fresh lemon juice; it makes a big difference in the drink’s taste.
- Whiskey Choice: A good rye or bourbon that you like to drink on its own will work best here.
What You Need
- 2 oz Whiskey
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- 0.75 oz Lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
- Orange peel or fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 7 mins🍽️ Yields: 1 drink
How to Make It
Step 1: Shake Ingredients
In a cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice.
Step 2: Strain and Garnish
Shake well until the mixture is very cold, about 15-20 seconds. Strain the drink into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish your Cranberry Whiskey Sour with an orange peel or a few fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
For a foamy top, you can add an egg white to the shaker and dry shake (without ice) first, then wet shake with ice.