5 Easy Cranberry Cocktails That Wow Every Time

Try mixing cranberry juice with vodka, lime juice, and a splash of soda for a refreshing, easy cocktail perfect for any occasion.

Cranberry cocktails bring festive flair to any gathering. These tart, vibrant drinks pair perfectly with holiday meals or casual happy hours. Below you’ll find simple recipes that deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

1. Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Spritz

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 2 oz club soda
• Fresh cranberries for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a tall glass with ice
2. Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice
3. Top with club soda
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries

This refreshing spritz takes just 2 minutes to make. For a festive touch, rim glasses with sugar mixed with orange zest. The bubbles make it perfect for celebrations.

2. Cranberry Margarita

Put a holiday twist on the classic margarita with this simple recipe:

Ingredient	Amount
Tequila	2 oz
Cranberry juice	2 oz
Triple sec	1 oz
Lime juice	1 oz

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with lime wheels and fresh cranberries. For an extra festive version, try our holiday cranberry margarita variations.

3. Cranberry Rum Punch

Ingredients

• 1 cup dark rum
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 2 cups ginger ale

Combine all ingredients except ginger ale in a pitcher. Chill for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, add ginger ale and ice. Garnish with lime slices and fresh cranberries. This crowd-pleasing punch works perfectly for holiday parties.

4. Cranberry Gin Fizz

This elegant cocktail shines with botanical gin flavors:

1. Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 1/2 oz lemon juice to a shaker
2. Shake well with ice
3. Strain into a chilled glass
4. Top with 2 oz club soda
5. Garnish with a lemon twist

The fizz makes it light and refreshing. For best results, use a quality blender to make fresh cranberry juice.

5. Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Sparkler

For a family-friendly option:

• 4 oz cranberry juice
• 2 oz orange juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• 3 oz sparkling water
• Fresh mint for garnish

Combine juices in a glass with ice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with mint. This refreshing drink works for all ages and occasions.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cranberry Cocktails

Choosing Your Juice

Opt for 100% cranberry juice, not cocktail mix, for best flavor. According to Serious Eats, the tartness of pure juice balances sweet ingredients perfectly.

Garnishing Like a Pro

Elevate your presentation with:

• Sugared cranberries
• Citrus twists
• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme
• Edible flowers

Batch Preparation

For parties, mix juices and alcohol in advance. Store in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. Add sparkling ingredients just before serving. A powerful blender helps when making large batches.

Ice Matters

Use large, clear ice cubes that melt slowly. For special occasions, freeze cranberries or herbs into ice cubes.