It’s the time of year when I love to make a classic cocktail, but give them a Holiday or winter twist. And there’s nothing quite like a warming glass of this Easy Cranberry Whiskey cocktail to embrace the holiday spirit. This recipe is a delightful twist on the classic whiskey sour, incorporating the tartness of cranberry for a Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktail that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re a veteran mixologist or just starting your cocktail journey, this recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for the November to January festive season.
Why You’ll Love This Whiskey Cranberry Cocktail
- Seasonal Flavor: This cranberry whiskey sour is a perfect November cocktail, capturing the essence of the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas and beyond.
- Versatility: The recipe can be easily modified. Try adding a twist of orange peel or a splash of lemon juice for a citrusy note, or swap in apple juice for a different fruity dimension.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: The combination of whiskey and cranberry creates a cocktail that is both easy to make and sophisticated in taste.
Whiskey Cranberry Cocktail Essentials
Creating the perfect Whiskey Cranberry Cocktail involves having a few essential ingredients and tools on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Whiskey or Bourbon: Choose a quality whiskey or bourbon that you enjoy. The flavor of the whiskey will significantly influence the overall taste of the cocktail.
- Cranberry Juice: Opt for cranberry juice cocktail for a balance of sweet and tart flavors. You can also experiment with 100% cranberry juice for a tarter profile.
- Cranberry Simple Syrup: Homemade or store-bought, this adds a unique, sweet cranberry flavor. Check out my Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe.
- Fresh Cranberries and Lime: For garnish. The cranberries add a festive touch, while a lime wedge enhances the drink with a citrus note.
- Aromatic Bitters (Optional): A dash can add complexity and depth to your cocktail.
- Ice: Crucial for chilling the drink.
Tools
- Cocktail Shaker: Essential for mixing your ingredients thoroughly.
- Jigger: For accurate measurement of the whiskey, juice, and syrup.
- Strainer: If your shaker doesn’t have one, a strainer is useful for pouring the cocktail while leaving the ice behind.
- Bar Spoon: Useful for stirring, especially if you prefer your cocktail stirred, not shaken.
- Cocktail Glass: A traditional rocks glass or an old-fashioned glass is ideal for serving a whiskey cranberry cocktail.
Optional Enhancements
- Orange Peel or Twist: For an aromatic garnish that adds a hint of citrus.
- Cinnamon Stick: For a seasonal twist, especially around the holidays.
- Herbs like Rosemary or Mint: For an aromatic garnish and a touch of freshness.
With these essentials, you can easily whip up a delicious Whiskey Cranberry Cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual gathering or a festive holiday party.
Other Holiday Cocktails You’ll Love
- Cranberry Whisky Cocktail
- Cranberry Prosecco Fizz
- Decadent Raspberry and Irish Cream Cocktail
- Maple and Rosemary Cocktail
- Cranberry and Elderflower Spritz
- Whisky Ginger Ale Cocktail
- Hot Toddy
Ingredients to Make This Cranberry Cocktail
- 1 1/2 oz of your favorite whiskey or bourbon
- 3 oz of cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 oz of cranberry simple syrup
- Lime wedge, for garnish
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
- Dash of aromatic bitters (optional)
How to Make the Perfect Cranberry Whisky Cocktail
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail glass, add your whiskey or bourbon, cranberry juice cocktail, and cranberry simple syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, a dash of aromatic bitters can add an extra layer of flavor.
- Add Ice: Place one large ice cube or 2-3 regular-sized ice cubes in the glass. The choice of ice cube size can affect how quickly your drink dilutes – larger cubes melt slower, keeping your drink strong over time.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lime wedge and a few fresh or frozen cranberries. The lime adds a refreshing twist, complementing the cranberry’s tartness.
If you like your cocktails shaken, simply combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice. Shake for 20 seconds and strain into your rocks glass.
Cranberry Whisky Cocktail
Discover the perfect Whiskey Cranberry Cocktail recipe - a simple blend of whiskey, cranberry juice, and syrup, ideal for any festive occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz of your favorite whiskey or bourbon
- 3 oz of cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 oz of cranberry simple syrup
- Lime wedge, for garnish
- Fresh cranberries, for garnish
- Dash of aromatic bitters (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail glass, add your whiskey or bourbon, cranberry juice cocktail, and cranberry simple syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, a dash of aromatic bitters can add an extra layer of flavor.
- Add Ice: Place one large ice cube or 2-3 regular-sized ice cubes in the glass. The choice of ice cube size can affect how quickly your drink dilutes – larger cubes melt slower, keeping your drink strong over time.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lime wedge and a few fresh or frozen cranberries. The lime adds a refreshing twist, complementing the cranberry’s tartness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 768Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 182gFiber: 6gSugar: 166gProtein: 1g
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
