November 5, 2023
Review RecipeCranberry Christmas Cocktail
This cranberry Christmas cocktail is a vibrant, festive, and flavorful addition to any holiday celebration.
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There’s no better way to toast the holiday season than with our cranberry Christmas cocktail. This festive drink combines the tartness of cranberries with the warmth of cinnamon and the kick of vodka that’s sure to spread holiday cheer.
Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Ingredients
The cranberry juice is the base of our cocktail, providing a tart and sweet flavor that’s unmistakably festive.
The cranberry cinnamon syrup adds an extra touch of holiday spice to the cocktail. It’s a blend of sugar, water, cinnamon, and cranberries simmered to perfection.
The vodka gives our cranberry cocktail its kick. It’s subtle, allowing the other flavors to shine, while a splash of lemon-lime soda adds a refreshing fizz.
You’ll need:
For The Cranberry Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup of fresh or frozen cranberries
PRO TIP:
The cranberry cinnamon simple syrup is quick, easy to make, and adds a touch of holiday spice to this cranberry holiday drink. It’s not necessary, but festive. Substitute regular simple syrup if you wish.
For The Cranberry Christmas Cocktail:
- Lime wedges for garnish and/or to moisten the rim of the glass
- Sugar to rim the glasses
- Ice
- 1½ ounces of cranberry juice
- ½ ounce of cranberry cinnamon simple syrup
- 1½ ounces of vodka
- 1 to 2 ounces of lemon-lime soda
- Fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish
PRO TIP:
Fresh cranberries are readily available at grocery stores during the holiday season but nearly impossible to find at other times of the year. Fresh, whole cranberries freeze perfectly and thaw, looking as good as new.
Freeze a bag of fresh cranberries during the holidays, and you will have them all year long. If you missed the fresh cranberry season, I can typically find frozen whole cranberries in the frozen food aisle of my grocery store.
Substitutions And Additions
CRANBERRY JUICE: If you prefer a less tart flavor, you can substitute pure cranberry juice with pomegranate juice for this festive holiday cocktail.
It offers a similar sweet-tart profile with a slightly milder taste.
VODKA: For a different twist, you can replace vodka with gin. The botanicals in gin can add an interesting layer of complexity to the cocktail.
LEMON-LIME SODA: If you’re looking for a less sweet option, club soda can be used instead of lemon-lime soda in this cranberry holiday cocktail.
It still provides the fizz without the added sugar.
How To Make This Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Recipe
Creating this cranberry Christmas cocktail is filled with the aroma of simmering cranberries and cinnamon. Let’s dive into the process.
STEP ONE: Place all ingredients in a small saucepan to make the cranberry cinnamon simple syrup.
Bring to a simmer while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for five minutes. Strain.
STEP TWO: To prepare the cocktail, run a lime around the rim of the glass to moisten it. You can also use a little simple syrup or even water.
Dip the glass onto a small plate of sugar to coat the rim.
STEP THREE: Fill the glass with ice.
STEP FOUR: Add the cranberry juice, then simple syrup, then vodka, and stir together.
PRO TIP:
1½ ounces is a standard single shot of alcohol.
As always, adjust the amounts of sweet, tart, and alcohol for your personal taste preference.
STEP FIVE: Top with lemon-lime soda.
STEP SIX: Garnish with fresh or frozen whole cranberries and/or a slice of lime. Serve immediately.
How To Serve
Serving this cranberry juice cocktail is all about creating a festive ambiance. Its vibrant color and enticing aroma make it a standout addition to any holiday spread.
This cocktail pairs beautifully with a variety of holiday appetizers. Consider serving it with cheese and crackers, stuffed mushrooms, or a shrimp cocktail.
Beyond being a standalone cocktail, this festive Christmas cocktail can also be incorporated into a holiday brunch.
Imagine a spread of fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and a refreshing glass of this cocktail. It’s a festive twist to your morning meal.
For a truly festive experience, pair this cocktail with traditional Christmas fare.
The tart and sweet flavors of the cocktail cut through the richness of dishes like roast turkey, glazed ham, or creamy mashed potatoes, providing a refreshing balance.
Our Christmas punch is a sweet drink for the younger family members, while our Grinch cocktail is another of our favorite Christmas cocktails.
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Storage
IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER: This delicious cocktail is meant to be enjoyed immediately and will not keep in the fridge or freezer for any length of time.
IN THE FRIDGE: The cranberry cinnamon simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
This allows you to prepare the syrup in advance and whip up a cocktail whenever the mood strikes.
Why We Love This Recipe
FESTIVE AND FLAVORFUL: This cranberry Christmas cocktail is the perfect blend of tart cranberries, warm cinnamon, and refreshing lemon-lime soda.
EASY TO MAKE: With a few simple ingredients and steps, this cocktail is easy to whip up, making it the perfect holiday drink for family gatherings or a cozy night in.
PERFECT FOR CELEBRATIONS: With its vibrant color and festive garnish, this cranberry vodka cocktail is a beautiful addition to any holiday party.
This cranberry Christmas cocktail is not only delicious with its tart cranberry flavor but also adds a pop of festive color to your holiday table. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and enjoy the holiday season with this cranberry vodka cocktail. Cheers to a festive and flavorful holiday season!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Christmas cranberry cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?
You can easily make this cocktail non-alcoholic by omitting the vodka. You can also replace the lemon-lime soda with a non-alcoholic ginger beer for a different flavor profile.
Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?
For the cranberry cinnamon simple syrup, it’s best to use fresh or frozen cranberries as they will provide the most flavor and color. Dried cranberries may not yield the same results.
Can I make the cranberry cinnamon simple syrup ahead of time?
The simple syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can I use a different type of sugar for the simple syrup?
Granulated sugar is recommended for this simple drink recipe as it dissolves easily. However, you can experiment with other types of sugar, like brown sugar or coconut sugar, keeping in mind that it may alter the flavor of the syrup.
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Cranberry Christmas Cocktail
This cranberry Christmas cocktail is a vibrant, festive, and flavorful addition to any holiday celebration.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 1
Ingredients
Cranberry Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Cranberry Christmas Cocktail
- Lime wedges, for garnish and/or to moisten the rim of the glass
- Sugar, to rim the glasses
- Ice
- 1½ ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce cranberry cinnamon simple syrup
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1 to 2 ounces lemon-lime soda
- Fresh or frozen cranberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan to make the cranberry cinnamon simple syrup. Bring to a simmer while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain.
- To prepare the cocktail, run a lime around the rim of the glass to moisten it (you can also use a little simple syrup or even water). Dip the glass onto a small plate of sugar to coat the rim.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add the cranberry juice, then simple syrup, then vodka, and stir together.
- Top with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with fresh or frozen whole cranberries and/or a slice of lime.
Notes
- The cranberry cinnamon simple syrup is quick, easy to make, and adds a touch of holiday spice to this cranberry holiday drink. It’s not necessary, but festive. Substitute regular simple syrup if you wish.
- Fresh cranberries are readily available at grocery stores during the holiday season but nearly impossible to find at other times of the year. Fresh, whole cranberries freeze perfectly and thaw, looking as good as new. Freeze a bag of fresh cranberries during the holidays, and you will have them all year long. If you missed the fresh cranberry season, I can typically find frozen whole cranberries in the frozen food aisle of my grocery store.
- 1½ ounces is a standard single shot of alcohol. As always, adjust the amounts of sweet, tart, and alcohol for your personal taste preference.
Nutrition
Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 121g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Sandy says
Could you use Blueberry Liqueur instead?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Sandy – we haven’t tried that but it would probably work, enjoy!
Scuba Steve says
We had this as our signature Christmas Eve drink. Everyone LOVED it!
I think the simple syrup was what made it so great. It will be my go to Christmas drink in the future.