Maple Cranberry Cocktails: 5 Sweet & Tart Recipes

Delight in refreshing cranberry cocktails with maple syrup, blending tartness and sweetness for a perfect fall or holiday drink experience.

Maple syrup and cranberry juice create the perfect balance of sweet and tart in cocktails. These festive drinks shine during holidays but work year-round. Discover five easy recipes that blend these flavors with bourbon, vodka, and other spirits.

Why Maple & Cranberry Work So Well Together

The rich sweetness of pure maple syrup cuts through cranberry’s natural tartness. This creates complex flavors that enhance various spirits. Maple also adds depth that simple syrup can’t match.

Best Maple Syrup for Cocktails

Use Grade A Dark Color maple syrup for cocktails. Its robust flavor stands up to mixing. Avoid imitation syrups – they lack depth and can taste artificial.

5 Maple Cranberry Cocktail Recipes

1. Classic Maple Cranberry Bourbon Smash

This crowd-pleaser combines:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ½ oz maple syrup
• ½ oz lemon juice

Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries.

2. Sparkling Maple Cranberry Fizz

A lighter option using:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• ¾ oz maple syrup
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• Top with club soda

Build in glass over ice. Stir gently before serving.

3. Maple Cranberry Old Fashioned

A winter twist on the classic:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• ½ oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 1 oz cranberry juice

Stir with ice and strain over large cube.

4. Cranberry Maple Margarita

Unexpected but delicious:

• 1.5 oz tequila
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• ¾ oz maple syrup
• ½ oz lime juice

Shake and serve in salt-rimmed glass.

5. Non-Alcoholic Maple Cranberry Spritzer

For those avoiding alcohol:

• 2 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz maple syrup
• 1 oz orange juice
• Top with ginger ale

Essential Equipment

For perfect cocktails every time, you’ll need:

• Quality cocktail shaker
• Fine mesh strainer
• Jiggers for measuring
• Glass pitcher for batches

Pro Tips for Maple Cranberry Cocktails

Making Maple Cranberry Syrup

Combine equal parts maple syrup and cranberry juice in saucepan. Heat gently until blended. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Garnishing Like a Pro

Try these eye-catching garnishes:

• Sugared cranberries (coat in maple syrup then sugar)
• Orange twists
• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Cinnamon sticks

Pairing With Food

These cocktails complement:

• Cheese boards with brie and aged cheddar
• Roasted turkey or chicken
• Butternut squash soup
• Dark chocolate desserts

For more seasonal drink ideas, check out this professional mixologist’s take on maple cranberry cocktails. Or explore these creative variations from Food & Wine.