Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe

This is an easy way to make your winter cocktails even more festive this holiday season, simply make flavored homemade simple syrup. This easy recipe is a cranberry version of a basic simple syrup recipe and is so easy to make. Simple Cranberry Syrup is my favorite way to infuse a festive flavor in all my homemade cocktails, especially holiday cocktails!

Suggested: The Top Substitutes for Simple Syrup

I love making my own simple syrups since the possibilities are endless. A few weeks ago, I shared a recipe for a Cinnamon Simple Syrup and I have been getting tons of amazing feedback on it, so I just had to share a homemade cranberry version.

What is Cranberry simple syrup?

This rich simple syrup can be used in many cocktails as a sweetener. A basic simple syrup recipe consists of equal parts of sugar to water. I always suggest the one-cup to one-cup ratio, which will give you a little over a cup of syrup. And trust me, that’s plenty of syrup since you will mostly use 1/2 oz to 1 oz of classic simple syrup on a cocktail. It comes together in a little time, about 5 minutes. On medium heat, simply allow the sugar to dissolve and then allow it to come to room temperature before using.

Ingredients for Homemade Cranberry Syrup

• 2 cups of fresh cranberries. Frozen will work too!
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of water

How to make Cranberry Simple Syrup

1. In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add 1 cup water with 1 cup of sugar and cranberries.
2. When you see a gentle simmer, turn down to medium heat and allow to simmer for about 6-8 minutes, or until sugar dissolves and cranberries start to burst. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
3. Allow to come to room temperature. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer.

How to Make a Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup

As I mentioned at the top of the post, the possibilities with variations of simple syrups are endless. Here are a few different ideas and unique ways to take your homemade spiced cranberry simple syrup to the next level.

• Add warm spices, like whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise or even a mulling spices blend when simmering the homemade syrup.
• Add citrus notes by adding a few strips of orange peel or orange zest. You can even add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or lemon juice.
• Add a deeper layer of flavoring by swapping out regular sugar with brown sugar.

How to use Cranberry Simple Syrup

Simply add 1/2 oz to 1 oz of the homemade simple syrup to your favorite cocktails, for example, this Cranberry Moscow Mule recipe or this Blood Orange Margarita.