Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail - easy holiday drink!

If you are looking for the perfect bourbon drink for the holiday season, you have to make this bourbon cranberry cocktail. It is so easy to make and it is perfect for this time of year! 

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You'll love this bourbon cranberry cocktail

It's so easy to make. This cranberry bourbon cocktail recipe requires absolutely 0 mixology skills, so it is a fool-proof recipe that you can whip up for yourself or to impress your guests! 

It's perfect for the holidays. I mean, cranberry just screams the holidays, and so does bourbon, in my opinion! This cocktail is just like a warm holiday hug in a cold, delicious cocktail. 

It can be made into a batched cocktail! This cocktail has no fizzy ingredients which means it is perfect to make as a batched cocktail for holiday parties! I've included batched cocktail directions below.

Does cranberry and whiskey go together?

Yes, it does! Cranberry and bourbon make for the perfect drink, not to mention it is a great holiday cocktail. The warmth of bourbon paired with the tangy sweetness of cranberry juice makes for such a deliciously warm, spicy yet sweet drink. 

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Ingredients

Cranberry Juice. Of course, for a cranberry bourbon cocktail, you need cranberry juice. Some recipes call for unsweetened cranberry juice, however, I like to make this cocktail with cranberry juice cocktail. It avoids having to add and/or make simple syrup, which is far easier, in my opinion! 

Orange Juice. To offset the tart sweetness of cranberry juice, and to take advantage of citrus season, I love adding a little splash of fresh orange juice into this cocktail recipe! 

Bourbon. I prefer bourbon to this recipe because it is a bit sweeter, but any type of whiskey will work for this cranberry cocktail. 

What is the best bourbon to use?

I really like Laws Bourbon, Elijah Craig, or Bulleit bourbon when I am making delicious bourbon cocktails. No matter what your price range is, you can find quality whiskey at your liquor store or grocery store. 

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How to make this bourbon cranberry cocktail

With a few simple ingredients and minimal steps, this delicious cranberry bourbon cocktail is so easy to make. Here's how to make 1 cocktail.

1. In a cocktail shaker, add 2 ounces of bourbon, .5 ounces of fresh orange juice, and 2 ounces of cranberry juice. 
2. Add ice cubes and shake until the shaker is frosted.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a big ice cube.
4. Garnish with fresh cranberries and enjoy!

How to make this a batched cocktail

If you are looking for a signature cocktail for a holiday party, this is so easy to make as a big batch cocktail! This recipe makes for 10 cocktails.

1. In a pitcher, combine 2.5 cups of bourbon, 5 ounces of orange juice, and 2.5 cups of cranberry juice. 
2. Stir, cover, and place in the fridge until you are ready to serve. 
3. Once you are ready to serve, pour 6.5 ounces into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 
4. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish and cheers!

If you want to water this down a bit more, you can add a splash of ginger ale, ginger beer or soda water. This festive cocktail is a great addition to any holiday occasion! 

Garnish ideas

A drink needs a garnish! Here are some ideas.

1. Rosemary Sprig
2. Cranberries
3. Orange Twist
4. Orange Slice
5. Orange Wheel

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Substitutions and variations

Cranberry Juice. If you don't have cranberry juice, you can add in 1 oz. of pure cranberry juice, which is very tart, and 1 oz. of simple syrup. 

Sage Simple Syrup.​ If you want to add a bit of a flair to your cocktail, you can make homemade sage simple syrup or even homemade rosemary syrup and add half an ounce for every cocktail. 

Orange Juice.​ If you don't have orange juice, you can use fresh lemon juice instead. 

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

Yes! You can make this cocktail up to 1 day in advance. Because you are using fresh orange juice, this won't keep for too long in the fridge. 

FAQs

What's the best drink to mix with bourbon?

I love mixing apple cider, cranberry juice, or lemonade. 

What alcohol can you mix with cranberry juice?

You can mix vodka, tequila, whiskey, or gin with cranberry juice. 

What is cranberry cocktail?

Cranberry juice cocktail is cranberry juice with added sugar. 

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