8 Easy & Festive Cranberry Cocktails

Refreshing Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria served in a glass with fresh cranberries and apple slices.

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I love sharing easy and delicious drinks, and this time of year calls for something special! If you are looking for vibrant and festive cranberry cocktails, you have come to the right place. Cranberries bring a beautiful color and a fantastic tangy flavor to any drink.

I put together eight of my favorite cranberry drink recipes for you. These are perfect for holiday gatherings, a cozy night in, or just to make any moment feel a bit more celebratory. Pick your favorite or try them all!

Jump to Recipe:

Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

This sangria is a crowd-pleaser for any gathering. It mixes the warmth of apple cider with the tartness of cranberries for a truly festive drink.Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

Key Ingredients & Tips for Sangria

  • Fresh Fruit: Slices of apples and a handful of cranberries make this drink look beautiful and taste even better.
  • Chill Time: Let the sangria sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This helps the flavors blend together perfectly.

What You Need for Apple Cider Sangria

  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
  • 2 cups cranberry juice
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/2 cup brandy (optional)
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries

⏱️ Time: 10 minutes (plus chilling)🍽️ Yields: 6-8 servings

How to Make Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

Step 1: Combine Liquids

In a large pitcher, pour in the red wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, and brandy (if you are using it). Stir everything together gently.

Step 2: Add Fruit and Chill

Add the sliced apple and fresh cranberries to the pitcher. Give it another gentle stir. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours, to let the flavors blend.

Step 3: Serve Cold

When you are ready to serve, pour the sangria over ice into wine glasses. Make sure each glass gets some of the fruit from the pitcher.

📝 Final Note

You can make this sangria ahead of time. It tastes even better the next day after the fruit has had time to soak.

Festive Cranberry Christmas Mimosa

Brighten up your brunch or holiday morning with this simple and festive mimosa. It’s a quick and elegant drink that always pleases.Cranberry Christmas Mimosa

Key Ingredients & Tips for Mimosas

  • Sparkling Wine: Use a dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava. It balances well with the cranberry juice.
  • Garnish Ideas: A few fresh cranberries and a small sprig of rosemary make this drink look extra special.

What You Need for Your Mimosa

  • 1 part cranberry juice, chilled
  • 2 parts sparkling wine (Prosecco or Cava), chilled
  • Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

⏱️ Time: 3 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make a Cranberry Mimosa

Step 1: Pour Cranberry Juice

Pour the chilled cranberry juice into a champagne flute. Fill the glass about one-third of the way full.

Step 2: Add Sparkling Wine

Gently top the cranberry juice with chilled sparkling wine until the glass is almost full. The bubbles will rise, so pour slowly.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Add a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to the flute for a beautiful presentation. Serve right away.

📝 Final Note

For a less sweet mimosa, choose a “brut” sparkling wine. For a sweeter one, a “dry” or “extra dry” sparkling wine works well.

Bright Cranberry Gin Fizz Drink

This gin fizz is a refreshing and vibrant drink with a lovely cranberry kick. It’s a great option if you like something bubbly and a little tart.Cranberry Gin Fizz

Key Ingredients & Tips for Gin Fizz

  • Fresh Juices: Using fresh lemon juice makes a big difference in the taste of this cocktail.
  • Shake Well: A good, hard shake with ice helps mix and chill the ingredients properly before you add the soda.

What You Need for Your Gin Fizz

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup (or to taste)
  • Club soda, to top
  • Lemon slice and fresh cranberries for garnish

⏱️ Time: 5 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make Cranberry Gin Fizz

Step 1: Mix Ingredients

Combine the gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Secure the lid and shake well until the shaker is very cold, about 15-20 seconds.

Step 2: Strain and Top

Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top the drink with club soda until the glass is full.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Garnish your Cranberry Gin Fizz with a lemon slice and a few fresh cranberries. Serve and enjoy right away.

📝 Final Note

For a creamier fizz, you can add an egg white to the shaker and dry shake (without ice) first, then shake with ice.

Classic Cranberry Margarita Recipe

This Cranberry Margarita offers a tangy, sweet, and festive spin on a classic cocktail. It’s perfect for a party or a cozy evening.Cranberry Margarita

Key Ingredients & Tips for Margaritas

  • Rim it Up: A sugar-cranberry sugar rim makes this drink feel extra special and balances the tartness.
  • Quality Tequila: Use a good quality blanco tequila. It makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.

What You Need for Your Margarita

  • 2 oz tequila blanco
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge and fresh cranberries for garnish
  • Sugar or salt for the rim (optional)

⏱️ Time: 5 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make a Cranberry Margarita

Step 1: Prepare Your Glass

If you want a rim, moisten the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge. Dip the rim into sugar or salt (or a mix) spread on a plate. Set aside.

Step 2: Shake Ingredients

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the tequila, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur. Shake well until the shaker is very cold, about 15-20 seconds.

Step 3: Strain and Serve

Strain the mixture into your prepared margarita glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and a few fresh cranberries.

📝 Final Note

You can make a batch of this ahead of time (without ice) and store it in the fridge. Just shake with ice and serve when ready.

Zesty Cranberry Orange Margarita

This Cranberry Orange Margarita adds a lovely citrusy bright note to the classic. The orange really brings out the cranberry flavors.Cranberry Orange Margarita

Key Ingredients & Tips for Orange Margarita

  • Fresh Orange Juice: Squeezing your own orange juice will give you the best, brightest flavor.
  • Garnish with Citrus: An orange slice and a lime wedge make for a beautiful and aromatic garnish.

What You Need for Your Orange Margarita

  • 1.5 oz tequila blanco
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 0.5 oz fresh orange juice
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz orange liqueur
  • Ice
  • Orange slice, lime wedge, and cranberries for garnish

⏱️ Time: 5 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make a Cranberry Orange Margarita

Step 1: Combine and Shake

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Close the shaker tightly.

Step 2: Chill Well

Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. You want the drink to be very cold and well mixed.

Step 3: Strain and Garnish

Strain the chilled margarita into a fresh glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice, a lime wedge, and a few cranberries for a festive touch.

📝 Final Note

If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a small splash of simple syrup to the shaker before mixing.

Bubbly Cranberry Orange Prosecco Cocktail

This Cranberry Orange Prosecco Cocktail is light, bubbly, and full of bright citrus and cranberry flavors. It’s an easy and elegant drink for any occasion.Cranberry Orange Prosecco Cocktail

Key Ingredients & Tips for Prosecco

  • Keep it Cold: Make sure both the cranberry juice and Prosecco are well chilled for the best experience.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Use more or less orange juice depending on how sweet or tart you like your drink.

What You Need for Your Prosecco Cocktail

  • 1 oz cranberry juice, chilled
  • 0.5 oz fresh orange juice, chilled
  • 4 oz Prosecco, chilled
  • Orange slice and fresh cranberries for garnish

⏱️ Time: 3 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make Cranberry Orange Prosecco Cocktail

Step 1: Add Juices

Pour the chilled cranberry juice and fresh orange juice into a champagne flute.

Step 2: Top with Prosecco

Slowly top the juice mixture with chilled Prosecco until the glass is almost full. The bubbles will rise beautifully.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Garnish the rim with an orange slice and add a few fresh cranberries to the drink for a pretty look. Serve right away while it’s bubbly.

📝 Final Note

You can make this non-alcoholic by swapping Prosecco for sparkling cider or sparkling water.

Cranberry Rosemary Vodka Cocktail Idea

This Cranberry Rosemary Vodka Cocktail offers a beautiful balance of tart fruit with earthy, aromatic rosemary. It’s a sophisticated and refreshing choice.Cranberry Rosemary Vodka Cocktail

Key Ingredients & Tips for Rosemary Cocktail

  • Rosemary Simple Syrup: You can make this ahead by simmering equal parts sugar and water with a few rosemary sprigs, then letting it cool.
  • Fresh Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens up all the flavors.

What You Need for Your Rosemary Cocktail

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1.5 oz cranberry juice
  • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz rosemary simple syrup (or to taste)
  • Ice
  • Fresh rosemary sprig and cranberries for garnish

⏱️ Time: 5 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make Cranberry Rosemary Vodka Cocktail

Step 1: Combine Liquids

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup.

Step 2: Shake and Strain

Shake the mixture well for about 15 seconds until it is thoroughly chilled. Strain the drink into a glass filled with fresh ice.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Garnish your cocktail with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a few fresh cranberries. Serve immediately.

📝 Final Note

To release more aroma from the rosemary garnish, gently slap it between your palms before adding it to the glass.

Simple Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Sometimes the simplest drinks are the best, and this Cranberry Vodka Cocktail is a perfect example. It’s easy to make and always a favorite.Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Key Ingredients & Tips for Vodka Cocktail

  • Good Vodka: Because there are only two main ingredients, using a vodka you like the taste of makes a big difference.
  • Lime Wedge: A simple squeeze of lime really brightens up this drink and adds a fresh zing.

What You Need for Your Vodka Cocktail

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz cranberry juice
  • Ice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

⏱️ Time: 2 minutes🍽️ Yields: 1 serving

How to Make a Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka, then top with the cranberry juice.

Step 2: Stir and Garnish

Give the drink a gentle stir to mix the vodka and juice. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge.

📝 Final Note

For a lighter version, you can top off your drink with a splash of club soda after mixing the vodka and cranberry juice.

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