Best 2 Holiday Cranberry Cocktails Recipes

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about festive cocktails to serve at your gatherings. Cranberry cocktails are a classic choice, offering a tart and refreshing flavor that is perfect for the holidays. Whether you prefer a simple cocktail or something more elaborate, there are plenty of cranberry cocktail recipes to choose from. In this article, we will explore some of the best holiday cranberry cocktail recipes, so you can find the perfect drink to serve at your next party.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY COCKTAILS

Holiday Cranberry Cocktails image

This cranberry cocktail is a swirl of favorite flavors: maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and red wine. Serve it with a stirrer beaded with poached cranberries. Our Santa Swizzle Sticks clip art is affixed to a sphere of honeycomb paper and topped with his signature hat.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Drink Recipes Cocktail Recipes

Yield Makes 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
1 cup pure maple syrup
2 cups dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
Thin strips of zest from 1/2 lemon
2 teaspoons pink peppercorns, crushed
Pinch of coarse salt
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups seltzer

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put cranberries into a large, high-sided skillet; set aside. Bring syrup, wine, brown sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, lemon zest, peppercorns, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan, whisking occasionally.
Pour over cranberries. Cover tightly with foil, and bake until cranberries are soft but have not burst, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a bowl; cover with 1 cup cooking liquid. Let cool completely.
Bring 1/2 cup cooking liquid and the granulated sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to low; simmer until liquid has reduced and barely coats the back of a spoon, about 6 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; let cool completely.
Reserve 40 cranberries. Puree remaining cranberries and liquid in a blender.
To serve, place 10 reserved cranberries on each of 4 decorative skewers. Pour 1/4 cup puree and 1/4 cup syrup into each of four 12-ounce glasses; stir to combine. Add skewers, and fill glasses with ice. Top with seltzer, and serve.

CRANBERRY COCKTAILS

Cranberry Cocktails image

Create two different cocktails using our Cranberry Simple Syrup as a base. Make one with vodka and the other with white or sparkling wine. Pair them with Spinach, Bacon, and Onion Dip for a simple appetizer at your next holiday gathering.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Drink Recipes Cocktail Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

3 tablespoons Cranberry Simple Syrup
2 tablespoons vodka
1/2 cup seltzer
1 tablespoon Cranberry Simple Syrup
1/2 cup dry white or sparkling wine

Steps:

For the vodka cocktail, stir together cranberry simple syrup, vodka, and seltzer. Add ice and garnish with lemon.
For the wine cocktail, add cranberry simple syrup to wine.

Tips:

Use fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries have a brighter, tarter flavor than frozen or dried cranberries. If you can't find fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries will work just fine.
Make your own cranberry simple syrup: Cranberry simple syrup is easy to make and adds a delicious cranberry flavor to cocktails. To make cranberry simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of fresh cranberries. Let cool completely.
Use a variety of juices and mixers: Cranberry juice is a classic, but there are many other juices and mixers that can be used to make delicious cranberry cocktails. Try using orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, or even ginger ale.
Add some sparkle: A splash of sparkling water or club soda can add a refreshing fizz to cranberry cocktails. You can also use sparkling cranberry juice or prosecco for a more festive touch.
Garnish with fresh cranberries: Fresh cranberries make a beautiful garnish for cranberry cocktails. You can also use rosemary sprigs, orange slices, or lime wedges.

Conclusion:

Cranberry cocktails are a delicious and festive way to enjoy the holiday season. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a cranberry cocktail that everyone will love. So gather your friends and family, and raise a glass to the holidays!