Boozy and Bougie: 20 MUST Try Cranberry Cocktails
Cold weather is here, the leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. It’s time we do away with the Pumpkin Spice and usher in the cranberries…
Cold weather is here, the leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. It's time we do away with the Pumpkin Spice and usher in the cranberries for your next seasonal holiday beverage. Besides, Massachusetts is home to the best cranberry bogs in the country!
Cranberry jelly is a staple on the Thanksgiving Dinner table and the berries are a classic decoration woven into garlands for Christmas. But how about adding them to your Whiskey Sour? Cranberry cocktails are a seasonal classic that not only tastes great but makes any drinking event all the classier!
While I was tempted to try all 20 of these cranberry-infused cocktails, I'll defer to you to let me know which one is your favorite.
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
Gathering with friends and family to celebrate each other is worthy of a champagne toast. Spice it up with this delicious Cranberry Champagne Cocktail!
Cranberry Syrup
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
Cocktail
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz cranberry syrup
- 2 oz champagne
- Lemon twist garnish
- 2 sugared cranberries
St Germain & Cranberry Cocktail
This perfectly balanced cocktail is destined to be the centerpiece of any holiday party!
- 1 ounce* vodka
- 1 ounce 100% cranberry juice
- ½ ounce St. Germain
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup (or pure maple syrup)
- Lemon wheel, for the garnish
Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
Simple, elegant, and delicious!
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 4 oz cranberry juice
- Garnish: lime wedge
Cranberry Martini
Even James Bond is destined to order this Martini. Shaken not stirred, of course. This recipe makes 8 Martini's but I have a feeling you'll need more than that for any holiday party you throw!
- 2 cups vodka
- 2 cups unsweetened 100% cranberry juice
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Bay Breeze Cocktail
If you close your eyes while drinking this, you can almost feel the warm breeze blowing over the ocean while you lay on a tropical beach. It's almost as if you are there, instead of bundled up and bracing for another cold Massachusetts winter.
- ice
- 3 ounces Malibu coconut rum
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- Lime slice for garnish
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
- Pineapple wedge for garnish
Rum & Cranberry Cocktail
This easy recipe is perfect for the next brunch you host! With a pitcher of Cranberry Rum Punch on the table its doubtful anyone will complain about your cooking this time!
- 1 cup rum
- 90ml Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 1 liter cranberry juice
- juice 2 limes
- 1/2 cup frozen cranberries
- 500ml lemonade
Cranberry Margarita
Cranberries and Tequila? Cran-yes!
- 1 1/2 cups Tequila
- 1/2 cup triple Sec
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Madras Cocktail
Orange Juice AND Cranberry Juice? This drink MUST be healthy!
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- orange slice
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Refreshing, cool, and perfect for your next holiday party!
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pure cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup ginger beer
- Lime wedge to garnish
Cranberry Mimosa
Skip the meal and stick with the Cranberry Mimosa at your next brunch!
- 1 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 Grand Marnier
- 1 bottle of chilled champagne
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Winter Cranberry Gin Fizz
This twist on a classic is destined to shine brighter than your Christmas tree at your next holiday gathering!
- 2 tablespoons fresh cranberries
- Juice of 1/4 a lime
- 1 - 2 oz of gin (depending on your preference!)
- 1 oz cran-rosemary infused simple syrup
- Ginger ale/beer
- Ice
- More rosemary and cranberries, for garnish
- 1/2 Grand Marnier
Cranberry Mojito
https://aseasyasapplepie.com/holiday-cranberry-mojito/
This Cranberry Mojito is even more refreshing than you are!
For the cranberry simple syrup
- 8 oz. (225 g) fresh cranberries
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
For the holiday cranberry mojito
- 20 fresh mint leaves
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 4 oz. (120 ml) cranberry simple syrup
- 4 oz. (120 ml) white rum
- ice cubes
- 4 oz. (120 ml) sparkling water
- Garnish (optional) : fresh mint leaves, fresh cranberries, lime slices
The Blizzard Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
I can't wait to make this for the first Nor'easter of the season!
- 2 ¼ oz. bourbon
- 1 ½ oz. unsweetened cranberry juice
- ½ oz. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- Lemon slices and cranberries, for garnish
Cranberry Zombie Cocktail
Too many of these and that hangover will turn you into a zombie...
- l ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 oz white rum
- 1/2 oz golden rum
- 1/2 oz dark rum
Cranberry Gin & Tonic
Gin & Tonics are a classic drink. Reinvent it with a simple twist that will be make any G&T lover happy!
- 1.5 ounces gin
- 2 ounces cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
- ½ lime, juiced
- 2 ounces tonic water
- lime wedge and fresh or candied cranberries, for garnish (optional)
The Washington Apple
This delicious drink will be the life of your party! Don't take a sip when you can take a shot!
- 3/4 oz Crown Royal Apple
- 3/4 oz Sour Apple Schnapps
- 3/4 oz Cranberry Juice (Unsweetened)
- 1/2 oz club soda
Cranberry Sauce Bourbon Cocktail
This recipe sounds like a great way to use up any and all leftover cranberry sauce!
- 2 tablespoons homemade or store-bought cranberry sauce
- 1 to 2 shots bourbon
- Ginger beer or club soda
- 1 lemon wedge
Cranberry Whiskey Sour
Who doesn't love a good whiskey sour? This classic drink is made festive with the simple addition of cranberry juice, making a must have this holiday season!
- 1 ½ oz whiskey 45ml
- ¾ oz lemon juice 22ml, recommend fresh
- 3 oz cranberry juice 90ml
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Cranberry Apple Sangria
You'll be ordering this drink by the pitcher after you try it!
- 3 cups cranberry apple juice cocktail, divided
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 oranges, thinly sliced
- ½ cup halved fresh cranberries
- 2 5-inch sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise pods
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cups sliced small apples
- 1 750-mml bottle pinot grigio, chilled
Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy
Hot Toddies are more than just a remedy when you are under the weather - they are one of the best drinks to stay warm with on a cool fall night. Make this classic even more festive with a cranberry addition!
- 2 cups Cranberry Juice, unsweetened
- 1/2 small Orange, pierced several times through the rind
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 (1 inch) piece Fresh Ginger
- 1/2 tsp Black Peppercorns
- 1/2 tsp Cloves
- 2 Star Anise
- 1/4-1/2 cup Honey
- 3-4 oz Bourbon
Country 102.5's Favorite Cocktails
Country 102.5’s Favorite Cocktails
Thursday is National Cocktail Day, and we are feeling thirsty! We have asked Kruser, Ayla, Jonathan, and Jackson what their favorite drink is, and they did not disappoint. If you are looking for some cocktail inspiration, this is it. Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a drink! Whether you are in the mood for a classic Cosmopolitan or looking to make your night interesting with a Mai-Tai, here are some drink recipes just for you!
Kruser
Kruser's favorite drink is a good old Cosmopolitan. Who doesn't love a good Cosmo!
Cosmopolitan Recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 drink)
- 2 ounces (1/4) cup vodka
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 3/4 ounce (1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons) sweetened cranberry juice
- 1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juice
- One 2-inch orange peel/twist
- Ice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Use as much lime juice as desired for your own personal preference.
2. Shake it up and pour into martini glass
3. Garnish with an orange peel or twist
4. Enjoy!
CLICK HERE for full recipe
Ayla Brown
Ayla has two favorite cocktails: A Woodford Reserve old-fashioned (with a BIG) ice cube and a watermelon jalapeño margarita!
Old Fashioned Recipe:
If you want to make yours like Alya, make sure you are using one BIG ice cube, and her favorite, Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey.
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 drink)
- 2 OZ. Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1/2 OZ Demerara Syrup
- 3 DASHES Woodford Reserve® Aromatic Bitters
- 2 DASHES Woodford Reserve® Orange Bitters
- Orange
- Ice
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Add ingredients to the mixing glass.
2. Add ice to mixing glass and serving glass.
3. Stir ingredients for 30-40 secs.
4. Strain into serving glass.
5. Garnish with a lightly expressed orange peel.
CLICK HERE for full recipe
Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita Recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
(makes 1 drink)
- 2oz (1/4 cup) watermelon juice
- 2oz (1/4 cup) silver tequila
- 1oz (2 Tablespoons) fresh lime juice (1/2 lime)
- 1oz (2 Tablespoons) Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- fresh jalapeño slices
For the jalapeño simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 jalapeno
Directions:
For the jalapeño Simple Syrup:
1. Add sugar and water to a small saucepan. For a less spicy syrup, remove ribs and seeds from jalapeño then add to the saucepan. (For a more spicy syrup, slice jalapeño then add - seeds and all - to the saucepan).
2. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, then cook until sugar is dissolved, 1-2 minutes. Remove pan from heat then let cool. (the longer the jalapeño stays in the syrup, the spicier it will be).
3. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a mason jar or container then chill. Can be done several days ahead of time.
4. Add watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice, and jalapeno simple syrup to a rocks or cocktail glass then stir to combine.
5. Fill glass to the top with ice then serve with fresh jalapeno slices. Alternatively, you could add the ingredients into a shaker, fill it halfway up with ice, then shake to chill.
CLICK HERE for full recipe
Jackson Blue
Back in the day Jackson used to love a good Mai Tai, but FRESH fruit juice is a must!
Mai Tai Recipe:
There are a few different ways to make a Mai Tai. Jackson loves his with fresh juice, so this is the recipe we went with!
INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 2 drinks)
- Ice
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 ounces light rum
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 ounce triple sec
- Juice of 1 lime
- Dash of grenadine
- Maraschino cherries, for serving
- Orange wheels for serving
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice cubes.
2. Add the pineapple juice, orange juice, light rum, dark rum, triple sec, lime juice, and grenadine and shake for 20 seconds.
3. Strain drinks into 2 ice-filled glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries and an orange wheel.
CLICK HERE for full recipe
