16 Best Ever Cranberry Cocktail Recipes!
I love celebrating seasonal ingredients in the recipes I create, and cocktails and drinks are no different! Cranberry cocktails are perfect for fall and winter and the various celebrations that go hand-in-hand with this time of the year, and whether you use fresh or juiced berries, they’re the perfect way to add a little tart fruitiness to your creations. In this collection, I’ve rounded up 16 of my favorite, easy to make cranberry cocktail recipes. They’re so good for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties, or those evenings when you just fancy a homemade cocktail to toast the season. Let’s jump straight in…
(While you’re here, I also think you’ll love my champagne Christmas cocktails, and my easy Thanksgiving cocktails!)
1. Cranberry Margarita
A delicious twist on the classic margarita, this cocktail combines tart cranberry juice with zesty lime for a refreshing sip. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making it an instant favorite at any gathering! A margarita is without a doubt my all-time favorite cocktail, so I love creating twists and variations based on the seasons.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
- Lime wedges and salt for rimming glasses
Instructions:
- Rim the glasses with lime and dip in salt.
- In a shaker, combine cranberry juice, tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur with ice.
- Shake well and strain into glasses filled with ice.
2. Cranberry Orange Mimosa
This vibrant and bubbly mimosa combines sparkling wine with cranberry and orange juice for a festive brunch option. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for celebrating any occasion—especially the holidays, or even Christmas morning!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 bottle sparkling wine or champagne
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine cranberry juice and orange juice.
- Fill glasses halfway with the juice mixture and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with fresh cranberries.
3. Cranberry Gin Fizz
A refreshing cocktail that features gin, cranberry juice, and a splash of soda for a bubbly finish. It’s a sophisticated drink that’s easy to make and incredibly refreshing!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup gin
- 1/2 cup club soda
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine cranberry juice and gin with ice. Shake well.
- Strain into glasses and top with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wedges.
4. Cranberry Sangria
This fruity sangria features red wine, cranberry juice, and seasonal fruits for a delightful twist on the traditional recipe. It’s a fun and festive drink that’s perfect for sharing with friends! For that authentic Spanish flavor, go for a full-bodied, fruity red with a decent acidity. I often use merlot or malbec. They’re easily available in most grocery stores.
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, diced
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, combine red wine, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur.
- Add sliced orange, diced apple, and fresh cranberries.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
5. Cranberry Old Fashioned
A festive take on the classic old fashioned, this cocktail features cranberry syrup for a seasonal twist. It’s elegant and sophisticated, and it’s a great choice for sipping by the fire.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz cranberry syrup (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Fresh cranberries and orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, cranberry syrup, and bitters with ice. Stir well.
- Strain into rocks glasses with ice and garnish with cranberries and orange peel.
6. Cranberry Cosmopolitan
This chic cosmopolitan combines cranberry juice with vodka and lime for a super stylish drink. I love serving this one for a girls’ night in!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine cranberry juice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice with ice.
- Shake well and strain into chilled glasses.
- Garnish with lime wedges.
7. Cranberry Mojito
This refreshing mojito features mint, lime, and cranberry juice for a vibrant twist on the traditional recipe. It’s refreshing, flavorsome, and so visually appealing!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup white rum
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
- Lime wedges and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a glass, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and a splash of cranberry juice.
- Add ice, cranberry juice, and rum. Stir well.
- Top with club soda and garnish with lime wedges and fresh cranberries.
8. Cranberry Aperol Spritz
This festive drink is a fantastic winter inspired twist on the traditional Aperol cocktail. It’s fruity, bubbly, and perfect for toasting the season.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Aperol
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 6 oz sparkling wine
- Orange slices and cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a wine glass, combine Aperol and cranberry juice with ice.
- Top with sparkling wine and garnish with orange slices and cranberries.
9. Cranberry Martini
This elegant martini features a blend of vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of vermouth for a sophisticated drink. It’s a chic cocktail that’s perfect for special occasions or holiday celebrations!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup dry vermouth
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, and vermouth with ice.
- Shake well and strain into chilled martini glasses.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries.
10. Cranberry Whiskey Sour
This classic whiskey sour gets a festive twist with the addition of cranberry juice, making it a perfect holiday drink! It’s a deliciously tangy cocktail that’s super easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whiskey
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tbsp simple syrup
- Lemon slices and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine whiskey, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Shake well and strain into rocks glasses with ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh cranberries.
11. Cranberry Rum Punch
This festive punch combines cranberry juice and rum for a refreshing drink that’s perfect for parties. It’s a deliciously fruity punch that’s easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd!
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup white rum
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish
Instructions:
- In a pitcher, combine cranberry juice, rum, and orange juice.
- Stir well and serve over ice.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices.
12. Cranberry French 75
This sparkling cocktail combines gin, cranberry juice, and champagne for a festive twist on the classic French 75. It’s an elegant choice, and it’s perfect for parties or for toasting the season.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup gin
- 1/4 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, and lemon juice with ice.
- Shake well and strain into champagne flutes.
- Top with champagne and garnish with fresh cranberries.
13. Cranberry Daiquiri
This refreshing daiquiri blends the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of rum, creating a beautiful cocktail that’s perfect for any festive occasion.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup white rum
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp simple syrup
- Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine cranberries, rum, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Blend until smooth and serve in chilled glasses.
- Garnish with lime wedges.
14. Cranberry Negroni
This sophisticated cocktail is a festive take on the classic Negroni, featuring cranberry juice for a seasonal twist. It’s a perfect blend of bitter and sweet that makes for a great aperitif during the holidays!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup gin
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup sweet vermouth
- 1/4 cup Campari
- Orange slices and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, combine gin, cranberry juice, sweet vermouth, and Campari with ice.
- Stir well and strain into rocks glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish with orange slices and fresh cranberries.
15. Vanilla Cranberry Vodka Sour
This fun, crowd-pleaser cocktail combines vodka, cranberry, and a hint of vanilla, making it a sweet and tangy drink that’s perfect for holiday celebrations.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Lemon slices and fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and vanilla extract with ice.
- Shake well and strain into rocks glasses with ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh cranberries.
16. Poinsettia Cocktail
This beautiful cocktail is a festive blend of cranberry juice and orange liqueur, topped with sparkling wine for a bubbly finish. It’s not only delicious but also visually stunning—perfect for toasting during holiday festivities!
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
- Sparkling wine or champagne
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine cranberry juice and orange liqueur with ice. Shake well.
- Strain into champagne flutes and top with sparkling wine.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries.
These 16 Cranberry Cocktail Recipes are perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights in, or any festive occasion when you want to enjoy a tipple. From sweet and fruity to tart and refreshing, there’s something here for everyone. My favorite is the cranberry margarita – try it, and let me know what you think!
