Cranberries – the small, tart, red berries most commonly brought out during the holiday season – pack a wonderful punch that makes for a great addition to many mixed drinks. Whether you use fresh cranberries or pre-made cranberry cocktails, expect to see a lush red color that is guaranteed to catch the eyes of many an adventurous party goer.
Keep reading to meet some fabulous drinks sure to make a splash at your next celebration.
5 Cranberry Cocktails You Can Make at Home:
1. Vodka Cranberry
Vodka and cranberry are two flavors that complement each other swimmingly. In fact, it’s rare to find a cocktail that contains cranberry that doesn’t also have vodka on its list of ingredients. A vodka cranberry sometimes called a Cape Cod or vodka cran, is a simple and classic cocktail that makes the best of this popular pairing. All you need is:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 5 oz of cranberry juice
Just fill a highball glass with ice then pour in the vodka and cranberry juice, then stir lightly. Finish by garnishing with a lime wheel.
Some people find that pure cranberry juice is too strong a flavor for their palette, so cranberry cocktails can be used as a lighter substitute.
2. The Madras
Madras is a lightweight plaid patterned cotton that happens to a mainstay of fashion in coastal areas like Cape Cod, which may be why it lends its name to this cocktail, a close cousin of the vodka cranberry or Cape Cod. This drink has all the same ingredients as a vodka cranberry, plus a splash of orange juice for a fuller flavor. To make one you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 oz vodka
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz orange juice
As with a vodka cranberry, fill a highball glass with ice and pour in all the ingredients, stirring to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel.
3. Fizzy Cranberry Cocktail
A further play on the classic vodka cranberry, this cocktail adds the spicy taste of ginger and a bit of fizz. You’ll need:
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 3 oz ginger ale
Pour cranberry juice, vodka, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled and combined. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with ginger ale to taste. Garnish with a wedge of lime and a few fresh cranberries.
For those who prefer an even strong ginger flavor, try using ginger beer instead of ginger ale.
4. White Cranberry Martini
For holiday fêtes that want a high-class air, try serving up these cranberry martinis. This cocktail calls for a bit of simple syrup, which is surprisingly easy to make at home. All the ingredients are:
- 2 oz vodka
- 3 oz white cranberry juice
- 1/3 oz simple syrup
- 1/3 oz lime juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled and mixed. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh cranberries.
5. Cranberry Smash
For a cocktail that’s sure to impress, try a cranberry smash. Part of the prep for this cocktail involves creating a homemade cranberry sauce and rosemary simple syrup to provide the body of the drink.
For the simple syrup you’ll need:
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
Add the rosemary, water, and sugar to a saucepan and heat the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved. Allow it to cool then strain out the rosemary.
Once the simple syrup is complete, gather:
- 2 oz gin
- 1/3 oz lime juice
- 2 tbsp cranberry sauce
- soda water
Muddle the cranberry sauce – store-bought or homemade – in a cocktail shaker, then add gin, rosemary simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake until combined and chilled and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries.
There are many more exciting cranberry cocktails out there to try, so you’re sure to find one to love.
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