Cranberries are a holiday favorite, and their bright, tart taste makes them perfect for festive drinks. If you’re looking for some amazing cranberry cocktail recipes to brighten your gatherings, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve put together a collection of my go-to cranberry drinks that are easy to make and always a hit.
Whether you like margaritas, mules, or mimosas, there’s a cranberry drink here for everyone. Get ready to mix up something delicious!
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Christmas Cranberry Margarita
- 2. Cranberry Bourbon Mule
- 3. Cranberry Gin Spritz
- 4. Cranberry Mint Mojito
- 5. Cranberry Orange Mimosa
- 6. Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail
- 7. Cranberry Rum Punch
- 8. Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
Christmas Cranberry Margarita Recipe
This festive cranberry margarita is perfect for holiday gatherings. It combines the bright taste of cranberry with classic margarita ingredients for a refreshing drink.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Lime Juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor in your cranberry margarita. It makes a big difference.
- Cranberry Garnish: Float a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary in your glass for a beautiful, festive look.
What You Need
- 2 oz Tequila (Blanco)
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Cointreau or Orange Liqueur
- Ice
- Salt or Sugar for rim (optional)
- Fresh cranberries and lime slices for garnish
⏱️ Time: 5 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Rim Your Glass
If you like a rimmed glass, rub a lime wedge around the edge of a margarita glass, then dip it into salt or sugar. Set aside.
Step 2: Shake Ingredients
Combine tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until everything is chilled.
Step 3: Serve and Garnish
Strain the mixture into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a slice of lime.
📝 Final Note
For a sweeter margarita, add a splash of simple syrup. Adjust to your taste!
Cranberry Bourbon Mule Cocktail
This cranberry bourbon mule offers a warm and spicy kick with a tart cranberry twist. It’s a comforting drink, perfect for chilly evenings.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Good Ginger Beer: Use a high-quality ginger beer for the best spice and fizz. It’s key to a great mule.
- Copper Mug: Serving this cranberry bourbon mule in a copper mug keeps it extra cold and looks great.
What You Need
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 4-5 oz Ginger Beer
- Ice
- Lime wedge and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 4 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine Liquids
Fill a copper mug or highball glass with ice. Add the bourbon, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice to the glass.
Step 2: Top with Ginger Beer
Top off the drink with ginger beer. Stir gently to mix the ingredients together.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Garnish your cranberry bourbon mule with a fresh lime wedge and a few cranberries. Enjoy immediately.
📝 Final Note
For a less sweet mule, choose a drier ginger beer. You can also adjust the amount of lime juice.
Cranberry Gin Spritz Drink
This light and bubbly cranberry gin spritz is wonderfully refreshing. It’s a great choice when you want a drink that feels special but is simple to make.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Herbal Gin: Pick a gin with strong botanical notes to complement the cranberry. Something floral or citrusy works well.
- Orange Zest: A strip of fresh orange zest adds a lovely aroma and extra citrus brightness to the spritz.
What You Need
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Top with Club Soda or Sparkling Water
- Ice
- Lemon slice and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 3 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Fill Glass with Ice
Fill a large wine glass or a highball glass with plenty of ice.
Step 2: Add Gin and Juices
Pour the gin, cranberry juice, and fresh lemon juice over the ice. Stir gently to combine.
Step 3: Top and Garnish
Top off your cranberry gin spritz with club soda or sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon slice and a few fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
For a sweeter spritz, add a small amount of elderflower liqueur or simple syrup before topping with soda.
Cranberry Mint Mojito Recipe
This cranberry mint mojito is a refreshing twist on a classic. The tart cranberry and fresh mint make it vibrant and full of flavor.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Fresh Mint: Use fresh, vibrant mint leaves. Gently muddle them to release their oils without tearing them apart.
- Simple Syrup Control: Adjust the amount of simple syrup based on how sweet you like your mojito and how tart your cranberry juice is.
What You Need
- 2 oz White Rum
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (or to taste)
- 6-8 Fresh Mint Leaves
- Club Soda
- Ice
- Lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish
⏱️ Time: 6 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Muddle Mint
In a sturdy glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup. You just want to release the oils, not tear the leaves.
Step 2: Add Liquids and Ice
Add the rum, cranberry juice, and lime juice to the glass. Fill the glass with ice.
Step 3: Top with Soda and Garnish
Top off your cranberry mint mojito with club soda. Stir gently, then garnish with a lime wedge and a fresh mint sprig.
📝 Final Note
You can make a cranberry simple syrup for an extra layer of cranberry flavor. Just simmer cranberries with sugar and water, then strain.
Cranberry Orange Mimosa Idea
This cranberry orange mimosa is a beautiful and simple drink, perfect for brunch. The citrus and cranberry flavors are a wonderful combination.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chilled Ingredients: Make sure your cranberry juice and Prosecco are well chilled before mixing. This keeps your mimosa cold without extra ice.
- Fresh Orange Juice: While cranberry is the star, a touch of fresh orange juice makes this mimosa classic and bright.
What You Need
- 2 oz Cranberry Juice
- 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
- 4-5 oz Chilled Prosecco or Sparkling Wine
- Orange slice and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 2 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Pour Juices
Pour the cranberry juice and orange juice into a champagne flute.
Step 2: Top with Prosecco
Slowly top the glass with chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine until the glass is full.
Step 3: Garnish
Garnish your cranberry orange mimosa with a thin orange slice and a few fresh cranberries. Serve right away.
📝 Final Note
For a big batch mimosa, mix juices in a pitcher and then pour into glasses, topping each with Prosecco just before serving.
Cranberry Prosecco Cocktail Recipe
This simple cranberry Prosecco cocktail is elegant and easy to make. It’s perfect for toasts or a chic gathering, showcasing bright cranberry flavor.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Quality Prosecco: Choose a good quality, dry Prosecco to balance the sweetness of the cranberry juice.
- Frozen Cranberries: Use frozen cranberries as a garnish. They help keep your drink cold without watering it down, and look lovely.
What You Need
- 1.5 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz Cointreau or Orange Liqueur (optional)
- 4-5 oz Chilled Prosecco or Sparkling Wine
- Fresh or frozen cranberries and an orange peel for garnish
⏱️ Time: 3 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Add Cranberry and Liqueur
Pour the cranberry juice and optional orange liqueur into a champagne flute.
Step 2: Top with Prosecco
Slowly top the glass with chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine until it’s full.
Step 3: Garnish
Garnish your cranberry Prosecco cocktail with a few fresh or frozen cranberries and a twisted orange peel. Serve immediately.
📝 Final Note
You can make a non-alcoholic version by using sparkling cider instead of Prosecco for a similar bubbly experience.
Cranberry Rum Punch Recipe
This cranberry rum punch is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties. It’s easy to make a large batch and full of fruity, festive taste.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Citrus Balance: Don’t skip the fresh lime and orange juice; they cut through the sweetness of the cranberry and rum, making the punch bright.
- Ice Ring: Make an ice ring with cranberries and orange slices inside for a beautiful and functional way to keep your punch cold.
What You Need
- 1.5 cups White Rum
- 3 cups Cranberry Juice
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 0.5 cup Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 cup Simple Syrup (or to taste)
- 2 cups Club Soda (to top)
- Ice
- Orange slices and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 8-10 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Mix Base
In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the white rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir well.
Step 2: Chill
Place the punch base in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
Step 3: Serve and Garnish
Just before serving, add ice to the punch bowl and top with club soda. Garnish with orange slices and fresh cranberries.
📝 Final Note
You can prepare the punch base a day ahead. Just add the club soda and garnishes right before your guests arrive.
Cranberry Vodka Spritzer Recipe
This cranberry vodka spritzer is light, bright, and incredibly simple. It’s a versatile drink that’s perfect for any time you want something quick and tasty.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Sugar-Free Option: Use diet cranberry juice and sparkling water for a lower-calorie spritzer that still has great taste.
- Herbal Garnish: A sprig of rosemary or thyme adds an unexpected, fragrant touch that pairs well with cranberry.
What You Need
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- 3 oz Cranberry Juice
- 2-3 oz Club Soda or Sparkling Water
- Ice
- Lime wedge and fresh cranberries for garnish
⏱️ Time: 2 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving
How to Make It
Step 1: Combine Vodka and Juice
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka and cranberry juice to the glass.
Step 2: Top with Soda
Top off your cranberry vodka spritzer with club soda or sparkling water. Stir gently.
Step 3: Garnish
Garnish with a lime wedge and a few fresh cranberries. Serve right away.
📝 Final Note
For a little extra zing, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to your spritzer before stirring.