15 Cranberry Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love All Year Round

Cranberries aren’t just for sauce or holiday decor—they’re the secret star of some of the most refreshing, vibrant, and festive cocktails out there. Whether you want something sweet, tart, strong, or sparkling, cranberries bring bold flavor and rich color to your glass. From fall gatherings to summer patio nights, these cranberry cocktail recipes are easy to mix and guaranteed to impress.

Let’s jump into 15 delicious cranberry cocktails that go way beyond the basic vodka cranberry.

1. Classic Vodka Cranberry

Simple, reliable, and always refreshing. Combine 2 oz vodka with 4 oz cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime over ice. Serve in a highball glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

2. Cranberry Moscow Mule

A holiday-ready twist on the traditional mule. Mix 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, and ½ oz lime juice. Pour over ice in a copper mug and top with ginger beer. Add a few cranberries and mint for garnish.

3. Cranberry Margarita

In a shaker, combine 2 oz tequila, 1 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz triple sec. Shake with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and cranberries.

4. Sparkling Cranberry Punch

Perfect for parties. Mix 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 cup orange juice, ½ cup vodka, and 2 cups sparkling wine. Add orange slices, fresh cranberries, and ice to a punch bowl. Light, bubbly, and easy to batch.

5. Cranberry Bourbon Smash

Muddle ¼ cup cranberries with 1 tsp sugar and a few mint leaves. Add 2 oz bourbon and ½ oz lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Top with club soda and garnish with mint.

6. Cranberry Gin Fizz

A fizzy, botanical mix. Combine 2 oz gin, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup in a shaker. Shake with ice, strain into a glass, and top with soda water.

7. Rosemary Cranberry Spritz

Add 2 oz Aperol, 2 oz cranberry juice, and 2 oz Prosecco over ice in a wine glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a few cranberries. It’s light, floral, and beautifully festive.

8. Spiced Cranberry Old Fashioned

In a mixing glass, combine 2 oz bourbon, ½ oz cranberry syrup, and a dash of bitters. Stir with ice, then strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel and a cinnamon stick.

9. Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

Drop 1 oz cranberry juice and a few dashes of orange liqueur into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine. Add sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick for a fancy finish.

10. White Cranberry Cosmo

Swap regular cranberry juice for white cranberry juice for a lighter look. Shake 2 oz vodka, 1 oz white cranberry juice, ½ oz triple sec, and ½ oz lime juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass.

11. Cranberry Negroni

A bold, slightly bitter cocktail. Stir 1 oz gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, and 1 oz cranberry liqueur or cranberry syrup with ice. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist.

12. Cranberry Rum Punch

Mix 2 oz dark rum, 1 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, and ½ oz lime juice. Shake and serve over crushed ice. Garnish with cranberries and a pineapple slice.

13. Frosted Cranberry Martini

Chill 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cranberry juice, ½ oz elderflower liqueur, and ½ oz lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Float a few cranberries on top.

14. Cranberry Tequila Sunrise

Add 2 oz tequila and 4 oz cranberry juice to a glass with ice. Slowly pour 1 oz orange juice over the back of a spoon to create a layered look. Garnish with an orange slice.

15. Warm Spiced Cranberry Cider

For a cozy option, simmer 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 cup apple cider, a cinnamon stick, and a few cloves. Add 2 oz spiced rum or bourbon before serving in a mug. Garnish with cranberries and a cinnamon stick.

Tips for Working with Cranberry Juice in Cocktails

Use 100% Cranberry Juice for Tartness

Pure cranberry juice is bold and unsweetened. It adds strong flavor and color but may need sweeteners or other fruit juices to balance.

Try Cranberry Syrup

Simmer 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water until the berries burst. Strain and use the syrup to add flavor without acidity.

Don’t Forget the Garnishes

Fresh cranberries, orange peels, rosemary sprigs, and sugared rims take your cocktails to the next level.

When to Serve Cranberry Cocktails

These drinks are perfect for:

• Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings
• Winter parties and cozy nights in
• Summer events when chilled with fresh mint
• Brunch menus and casual entertaining

Cranberries are seasonal, but cranberry cocktails work all year when balanced with the right ingredients.

Final Thoughts

Cranberries aren’t just a holiday side dish. They’re a cocktail ingredient that brings brightness, color, and character to every drink. From refreshing spritzes to rich winter warmers, these 15 cranberry cocktail recipes give you plenty of ways to shake things up. Grab a bottle of cranberry juice, stock your bar, and start mixing drinks that are anything but ordinary.