As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to add a splash of color and flavor to your celebrations with the perfect cranberry martini. This gorgeous cocktail is a great way to ring in the Holiday season. I love a classic Martini, specifically a vodka martini with the tiniest splash of dry vermouth. I knew that I just needed to make a Holiday version. This cocktail is festive, tasty and one that I’ll be sipping on well into the new year.

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Why You’ll love this Easy Cranberry Martini

I love easy cocktail recipes that don’t require a long list of ingredients, especially when you are making drinks at a Holiday party for a few people. All you need is a few simple ingredients for this Cranberry Martini Recipe, like some gin or vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup and some ice.

This cocktail, blending the tartness of cranberry with the smoothness of vodka, is a surefire way to impress your guests at any Christmas gathering. Here’s a cranberry martini recipe that’s been earning a stellar recipe rating across various platforms, and for good reason!

Whats in a Cranberry Martini


A cranberry martini typically contains vodka, cranberry juice (which can be 100% cranberry juice, unsweetened, or sweetened), triple sec (an orange-flavored liqueur), and simple syrup. It’s often garnished with fresh cranberries and sometimes a twist of orange peel.

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice vs Sweetened

Unsweetened cranberry juice is pure cranberry juice without any added sugars or sweeteners, offering a tart and natural flavor. Sweetened cranberry juice, on the other hand, contains added sugars or other sweeteners, making it less tart and more palatable for those who prefer a sweeter taste.

Which one to use for this Cranberry Martini

For a cranberry martini, the choice between unsweetened and sweetened cranberry juice affects the cocktail’s sweetness and tartness. Unsweetened juice offers a sharper, more authentic cranberry flavor, making the martini less sweet and more tart.

Sweetened cranberry juice, however, adds extra sweetness and a milder tartness, creating a smoother, sweeter drink. The selection depends on your taste preference for either a sweeter or more tart cocktail.

Other Holiday Cocktails You’ll Love

Hosting a crowd? Make a pitcher of easy Cranberry Martini! It’s a sure bet to get the party started!

If you want to take this delicious Cranberry Martini to the next level, use some of my easy Cinnamon Simple Syrup. 

Cranberry Martini Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz of gin or vodka
  • 1 oz of orange liquor, like Triple Sec
  • 1 1/2 oz of Cranberry Cocktail juice
  • 1/2 oz of plain simple syrup or Cranberry Simple Syrup
  • sugar, for rimming your glass, optional
  • fresh cranberries for garnish, optional

Garnish your cocktail with a lime wedge, orange slice or strips of orange zest. 

Directions

Step 1

Add a sugar rim to your coup glass or your martini glasses. Rub a lime wedge on the rim of each glass and drip it into a shallow bowl or plate with sugar. Set aside.

Step 2

In a cocktail shaker; combine the vodka (or gin), Triple Sec, Cranberry Cocktail, simple syrup and a handful of ice cubes. Shake for 15-20 seconds.

Step 3

Strain the cranberry mixture into your chilled martini glass and garnish!

When to serve this Cranberry Martini

This cranberry martini is ideal for serving during the holiday season, especially at Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Its festive color and flavors make it a perfect choice for gatherings, dinners, or as a special drink to enjoy during cozy winter evenings. The cocktail’s elegant presentation and seasonal ingredients also make it a great choice for any holiday-themed event or as a sophisticated drink option at winter weddings or formal gatherings.

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