Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
This Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail recipe can also be called Christmas in a glass! With just four simple ingredients, this flavorful, slightly fizzy drink is ready in moments, perfect to serve at all your upcoming holiday parties.
Why you’ll love this Chistmasy Bourbon Cocktail recipe
This Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is quick and easy and full of the delicious seasonal flavor that you crave this time of year.
It’s the perfect bourbon cocktail for a holiday party. But is just as good for a cozy night by a fire.
With a tart flavor and a bright pinky-red color, this spiced bourbon cocktail is one to sip and share while you’re waiting for Santa to arrive!
A few years ago I had a delicious spiced cranberry cocktail at Mozza and I had to figure out how to recreate it. It tasted like the holidays and I had to figure out how to get that flavor at home.
So I played around in the kitchen and came up with this recipe which I think is pretty dang close to the original.
Related: Christmas Bourbon Cocktails
The magic in this Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is in the Spiced Cranberry Juice. Bottled juice is infused with seasonal spices to create the perfect base for a delicious bourbon cocktail. I love the vibrant color and the yummy, yummy flavor.
Once you make a batch of flavored juice, you can easily make several of these cocktails at one time which means this is THE drink to serve at all your holiday parties.
I also use that to make my Cranberry Moscow Mule. And this Cranberry Vodka Slush. It’s pure holiday magic.
Also, this is basically a Moscow Mule thanks to the ginger beer. It would be absolutely delicious in a copper mug.
Ingredients
- Spiced Cranberry Juice (which needs cranberry juice, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg)
- Bourbon
- Ginger Beer
You simply start with store-bought cranberry juice and then jazz it up by infusing it with warm holiday spices. I shared this Spiced Cranberry Juice recipe in a separate post so be sure to check that out too.
With fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg, the cranberry juice has all of your favorite flavors of the holiday season.
And with just a little bourbon and ginger beer, this Spiced Cranberry Cocktail comes together really quickly. You can use whiskey if you don’t have bourbon.
Directions
Step 1
Make a batch of the Spiced Cranberry Juice.
This is best done the day before since you will need to let the cranberry juice cool completely.
Step 2
Add the infused cranberry juice and bourbon in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake it up.
Step 3
Strain the cocktail into a glass over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer and give it a little stir.
Related: Bar Tool Essentials
To Serve
Grate some fresh nutmeg right on top of the Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail. Your nose will thank you.
If you can’t find fresh whole nutmeg, you can use the ground. But fresh nutmeg is exceptional.
I wish I had one of these bourbon and cranberry cocktails right now! The flavor is so yummy!
Tips and Tricks
- Freshly grated nutmeg is THE best. If you can’t find it in the regular spice aisle, find the ethnic foods section in your supermarket. They often have whole nutmeg and it’s usually cheaper than name-brand! You can use ground if you have to.
- Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice ahead. It’s delicious, easy to make, and you’ll definitely want to have it on hand for entertaining all season long.
- Need a mocktail? Just leave out the bourbon! It will still be super tasty and refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Normally, I would tell you to play with your food (or in this case a cocktail), but the Spiced Cranberry Juice really adds a depth and warmth that you just won’t get from a bottled and very sweet cranberry juice cocktail.
You can use whichever bourbon you love or have on hand. Two of my favorites are Four Roses and Bulliet. You don’t need to use something super pricey. But you should like flavor of it on its own (even if you don’t usually drink it that way).
I recommend making a large batch of my Spiced Cranberry Juice and then making individual cocktails. Or you can make the the cranberry juice then add the bourbon and keep in the fridge. But you’ll need to wait to add the ginger beer until serving. You could easily use this recipe as a signature cocktail for your holiday party and have the recipe available for guests to do their own mixing!
You need to give this spiced bourbon cocktail a try!
More easy cocktail recipes perfect for fall
- Warm Winter Sangria
- Easy Pear Martini Recipe
- Best Cranberry Moscow Mule for Christmas
- Blood Orange Moscow Mule (with a twist!)
- Pine Old Fashioned Drink
- Fireball Sour
- Easy Whiskey Sour Recipe
- Bourbon Sidecar Recipe
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Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Equipment
- Bar spoon
Ingredients
- 3 oz spiced cranberry juice See full directions in separate post.
- 1.5 oz Bourbon
- 3 oz. Ginger Beer
- Nutmeg, grated fresh is best if possible!
Instructions
- Make the Spiced Cranberry Juice and allow it time to cool completely.
- Add spiced cranberry juice and Bourbon to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain into a glass with ice.
- Top with 3 oz. of ginger beer and give a quick stir.
- Grate fresh nutmeg on top of each cocktail.
Notes
- If you had to, you could use plain cranberry juice and still get a delicious drink. But the spices really make it next level.
- Freshly grated nutmeg is THE best. If you can’t find it in the regular spice aisle, find the ethnic foods section in your supermarket. They often have whole nutmeg and it’s usually cheaper than name brand!
- Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice ahead. It’s delicious, easy to make, and you’ll definitely want to have it on hand for entertaining all season long.
- Need a mocktail? Just leave out the bourbon! It will still be super tasty and refreshing.
I love having something fun and new to serve each year, and this is perfect! (p.s. not waiting until the Christmas party to make more either hahaha)
This cranberry bourbon cocktail would pair nicely with a good charcuterie board! Yum!
I want to serve this cranberry bourbon cocktail at the very end of Thanksgiving dinner to ring in the holiday season!
This cranberry bourbon cocktail looks like such a festive holiday drink!
I’m always on the lookout for jazzy holiday cocktails and I also love anything with ginger beer. This cranberry bourbon cocktail is just what the doctor ordered!
Oooh! I just found this year’s holiday drink! This cranberry bourbon cocktail will look so festive on the table!
You’ll love the spiced cranberry juice!
I can’t wait to add this cranberry bourbon cocktail to our drinks list this holiday season! I love that I can make the spiced cranberry juice ahead of time; that’s going to be a lifesaver!
This bourbon cranberry cocktail recipe is gorgeous! It’s definitely going on my holiday cocktail list… thanks!
This does look like holiday in a glass! Great job, friend.
It’s SO good! Seriously try it!