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Cranberry Christmas Cocktail

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glasses of Cranberry Cocktails garnished with cranberries and a slice of lime on the rim
This cranberry Christmas cocktail is a vibrant, festive, and flavorful addition to any holiday celebration.
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Table of Contents
  1. Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Ingredients
  2. Substitutions and Additions
  3. How To Make This Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Why We Love This Recipe
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. More Recipes You’ll Love
  9. JUMP TO RECIPE

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, creating a delightful balance that’s sure to spread holiday cheer.

glasses of Cranberry Cocktails garnished with cranberries and a slice of lime on the rim

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Ingredients

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail raw ingredients that are labeled
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The magic of our cranberry Christmas cocktail lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating this festive drink. 

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 Christmas cocktail its kick. It’s smooth and subtle, allowing the other flavors to shine. Finally, a splash of lemon-lime soda adds a refreshing fizz to the cocktail and a great citrus flavor, balancing out the sweetness and tartness.

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 a delightful experience, 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 5 minutes. Strain.

ingredients placed in a small saucepan to make the cranberry cinnamon simple syrup

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.

glass filled 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.

cranberry juice, simple syrup, and vodka added to the glass

STEP FIVE: Top with lemon-lime soda.

glass topped 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. The tartness of the cranberry and the warmth of the cinnamon complement these savory bites perfectly.

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.

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. It’s a festive drink that’s full of flavor.

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. It’s a delightful way to toast the season.

a glass of Cranberry Cocktails garnished with cranberries and cinnamon sticks

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 delightful 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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glasses of Cranberry Cocktails garnished with cranberries and a slice of lime on the rim

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail

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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
  • ounces cranberry juice
  • ½ ounce cranberry cinnamon simple syrup
  • 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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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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