This cranberry bourbon punch is the ultimate holiday crowd-pleaser—vibrant, flavorful, and easy to make ahead. Garnished with cranberries and citrus for that picture-perfect festive touch.
Another cranberry recipe? Yes, you will want to try this Cranberry Bourbon Punch, which mixes my love for whiskey with cranberries.
If I’m going to celebrate the holidays, I’m doing it with a bourbon in my hand!
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
I can’t get enough of how great the holidays make me feel.
So many feels! The nostalgia is real, ya’ll, and this is the time of year I reminisce about how our house used to be filled with my aunts and uncles and countless cousins from my mom’s side of the family.
The epic card games (Spades, anyone?), the music, and of course, the food!
These are the memories that catapulted and cemented Thanksgiving and Christmas as my two favorite holidays ever!
I get to see so many friends and family members I usually haven’t visited with since the previous year. And let’s not even talk about all of the good food and drinks!
I am always eating way too much, mainly because it’s all so good.
I mean, how can I say no to Ms. Coretta’s sweet potato pie and candied yams?
And although my mom is no longer here, her cooking lives on in the dishes she passed down to me and my siblings. I am constantly inspired by her love of cooking.
Her dressing was legendary, and don’t get me started on her pea salad and crazy delicious peach cobbler!
It’s easy to see where I get my passion for cooking, right?
Let’s talk about this Cranberry Bourbon, tho! If you are looking for an easy, delicious, and festive cocktail creation to serve this holiday season, you are going to love this one.
First, this cocktail has homemade cranberry simple syrup made with real cranberries! Second, it has bourbon, which is a big deal because I love a good bourbon cocktail.
I like this cocktail because it has ingredients you probably already have in your fridge, like orange juice and cranberry juice.
You will need to buy whole cranberries and the Sprite cranberry soda.
Follow the easy recipe below, and just like the song says, “Let the good times roll.”
How to make a good Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces of orange juice
- 2 ounces cranberry simple syrup
- Sprite Cranberry (available at your local grocery store during the holiday season)
- Rosemary sprigs
- ice
Directions:
- Into a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, orange juice, and cranberry syrup.
- Secure the lid and shake until the cocktail shaker is frosty, about 30-40 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe cocktail glass and top off with Sprite cranberry.
- Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
- Serve.
Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive
How to make a homemade cranberry simple syrup
To make the cranberry simple syrup, add two cups of whole cranberries to a saucepan, along with two cups of water and a half-cup of brown sugar.
Add a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Bring the mixture to a boil and stir for 5 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and place a tight-fitting lid on top.
Can I use regular Sprite instead of Sprite Cranberry?
Yes, you can! However, the Sprite Cranberry adds a tart, fruity kick that you won’t get from the regular Sprite.
If you can’t find the Sprite Cranberry, mix regular Sprite and Cranberry juice together (about half and half).
You can also look for other brands to carry this same combination. Example: Cranberry + Ginger Ale or Cherry 7UP.
What’s the best Bourbon for this recipe?
Go for a smooth mid-range bourbon like Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve, or Bulleit.
You don’t need the most expensive bourbon to pull this recipe off; something in the mid-range with a little depth will work just fine!
Can I make this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cranberry simple syrup ahead of time, which is preferred.
Since you will be adding the cocktail ingredients to a cocktail shaker, we recommend making this cocktail when you’re ready to serve it for the best fizz and flavor.
Can I make this into a holiday punch?
Yes. To make a holiday punch for a serving size of 8-10, here is the recipe.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups bourbon (12 ounces)
2 cups orange juice
1 ½ cups cranberry simple syrup (homemade or store-bought)
3 cups Sprite Cranberry (or enough to top before serving)
Ice, for serving
Garnishes: fresh rosemary sprigs, orange slices, fresh cranberries
Directions
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine bourbon, orange juice, and cranberry simple syrup. Stir until well blended.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Just before serving, add Sprite Cranberry and gently stir. (Adding it last keeps the fizz fresh.)
Fill glasses with ice, pour the punch over, and garnish with rosemary sprigs, orange slices, and cranberries.
You can also adjust the serving size count on the recipe card below.
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes! Just skip the bourbon for this recipe. You can also substitute the bourbon for a non-alcoholic bourbon option. Or just add Cranberry juice, a Cranberry-Flavored sparkling juice, or water.
What Garnishes Work Best For This Cocktail?
Fresh rosemary is the go-to for holiday vibes, but you can also add orange slices, sugared cranberries, or a twist of orange peel for that extra sparkle.
How Do I Keep The Cocktail From Being Too Sweet?
Use less cranberry syrup or balance it out with a small splash of lemon juice.
The acidity cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Cheers and Merry Christmas!
Find more delicious cocktails below using cranberries and whiskey:
Spiced Cranberry Ginger Ale Punch
Cranberry Wine & Hibiscus Mint Cocktail
Strawberry Bourbon Moscow Mule
White Chocolate Bourbon Eggnog
Cousin Eddie & Boozy Bourbon Eggnog
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 2 ounces cranberry simple syrup see receipe below
- Sprite Cranberry
- Rosemary sprigs
- ice
Instructions
- Into a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, orange juice, and cranberry syrup.
- Secure the lid and shake until the cocktail shaker is frosty, about 30-40 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe cocktail glass and top off with Sprite cranberry.
- Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
- Serve.
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