The Harvest Crisp Martini is a gin and elderflower cocktail with fresh orange, tart cranberry, and pinot noir shaken right in. It's bright, a little floral, and that deep red color makes it look like you hired a bartender for the night. If you need one cocktail that works for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and every fall dinner party in between, this is it.
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AT A GLANCE
The Harvest Crisp Martini is a fall gin cocktail made with gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh orange juice, cranberry juice, and pinot noir, all shaken together. It's for home hosts who want an easy, make-ahead Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving cocktail that looks impressive without any special syrups or tools. The pinot noir adds a dry, berry finish that balances the sweet elderflower and gives the drink a rich, deep red color. This post covers the single-cocktail recipe, a big-batch version for 10, brand recommendations, substitutions, and garnish ideas.
You'll love this Harvest Crisp Martini
It's such a fun twist on the Hillstone Crisp. I love the Hillstone Crisp Martini, so having a fun fall version for the holidays is perfect!
It tastes like fall, not dessert. Many Thanksgiving cocktails go heavy on cinnamon and sugar. This one stays crisp and fruity, with cranberry and orange up front and a soft, dry wine finish.
It uses ingredients you probably already have for Thanksgiving. Gin, orange juice, cranberry juice, and a bottle of pinot noir are all things that tend to be on hand in November. Pour the rest of the wine with dinner.
Harvest Crisp Martini Ingredients
Gin. Gin is the base of this martini, and its herbal, piney notes are what keep it from tasting too sweet. A London dry gin like Tanqueray or Beefeater is perfect here. If you like a softer, more floral gin, Hendrick's plays really nicely with the elderflower.
Elderflower Liqueur. Elderflower liqueur adds sweetness and a light floral flavor, kind of like pear and honeysuckle. St-Germain is the classic pick and my go-to. For a budget-friendly option, St. Elder works well too.
Fresh Orange Juice. Fresh orange juice brings brightness and a little natural sweetness. Squeeze it yourself if you can. One orange gives you more than enough for a couple of drinks.
Cranberry Juice. Cranberry juice adds that tart, festive flavor and helps give the drink its pretty red color. I like 100% cranberry juice here because the elderflower already adds plenty of sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter drink, cranberry juice cocktail (like Ocean Spray) works great.
Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir gets shaken right in with everything else, and it's what makes this drink. It's a light, fruity red wine with notes of cherry and raspberry, so it won't overpower the gin. You don't need anything fancy. Any bottle you'd happily drink with Thanksgiving dinner is the right one.
How to make this Harvest Crisp Martini
- Chill a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1 ½ oz gin, 1 oz elderflower liqueur, ½ oz orange juice, ½ oz cranberry juice, and 1 oz pinot noir.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into your chilled glass.
- Garnish and serve right away.
Why I shake the wine in: shaking the pinot noir with everything else blends that dry, berry flavor into every sip and turns the whole drink a rich, deep red. There's no spoon or steady hand involved, which makes it a lot easier when you're making drinks for a crowd.
Substitutions and variations
Bourbon. Swap the gin for bourbon for a warmer, cozier version with caramel and vanilla notes. It's a great pick if your Thanksgiving crowd leans whiskey. A bourbon version pairs really well with the orange and red wine.
Lemon juice. Use lemon juice instead of orange juice for a tarter, more classic sour style. Since lemon is more acidic, start with ¼ oz and add more to taste.
Try it with a wine float. For a layered, two-tone look, leave the pinot noir out of the shaker. After you strain the drink, slowly pour 1 oz of wine over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. It's the same trick bartenders use on a New York Sour.
Make it a spritz. Strain the shaken cocktail into a wine glass over ice, top with 2 oz of prosecco. It's lighter and great for a long Thanksgiving afternoon.
Garnish ideas
- A thin orange wheel or orange twist
- A few fresh or sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick
- A small sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme
- A dehydrated orange slice on the rim
- A sugar rim with a little orange zest mixed in
My go-to is three sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick laid across the glass. They look like little jewels against the deep red cocktail.
How to make a big batch of this Harvest Crisp Martini
The big batch version makes about 10 cocktails, and you can mix the base ahead of time. The wine goes right into the pitcher, so all you have to do is pour. For more crowd-friendly drinks, here are my best batch cocktails for Thanksgiving.
Big batch for about 10:
- 1 ¾ cups gin
- 1 ¼ cups elderflower liqueur
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 ¼ cups pinot noir (about half a bottle)
Mix the gin, elderflower liqueur, and cranberry juice in a pitcher or large bottle. Chill it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
On party day, stir in the pinot noir, orange juice, and cold water up to 4 hours before guests arrive. Fresh orange juice tastes best the day it's squeezed, so I always add it last.
Why add water? When you shake a cocktail with ice, some of the ice melts into the drink. That's what makes it smooth. Adding water to the pitcher does the same job, so you can pour straight from the fridge.
To serve, stir the pitcher and pour about 6 oz into each chilled glass. I like to set up a little station with the pitcher and a bowl of sugared cranberries, so guests can garnish their own drinks. It turns into a fun party moment instead of a chore.
Harvest Crisp Martini FAQs
Can you put red wine in a cocktail?
Yes, red wine works great in cocktails. A light, fruity red like pinot noir adds color, a dry finish, and berry flavor. If you love it here, try my red wine Thanksgiving sangria too. You can shake it right in, like this martini, or float it on top, like the classic New York Sour (a whiskey sour topped with red wine).
What does elderflower liqueur taste like?
Elderflower liqueur tastes sweet, floral, and lightly fruity, with notes of pear, lychee, and honeysuckle. It's used to add sweetness and a soft floral flavor to cocktails, which is why it pairs so well with gin and citrus.
What is the best red wine for cocktails?
Pinot noir is the best red wine for cocktails like this one because it's light, fruity, and low in tannins. Other good picks are Beaujolais or a light Malbec. Skip big, heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, which can taste bitter in a cocktail.
Can I float the red wine on top instead?
Yes. Leave the pinot noir out of the shaker, strain the drink into your glass, then slowly pour 1 oz of wine over the back of a spoon. The juice and liqueur make the base heavier than the wine, so it settles on top in a separate, two-tone layer.
Can I make the Harvest Crisp Martini ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the gin, elderflower liqueur, and cranberry juice up to 2 days ahead. Add the pinot noir, fresh orange juice, and water up to 4 hours before serving, then stir and pour.
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More Thanksgiving Cocktails to Try
- Apple Cider Margarita
- Apple Cider Martini
- Caramel Apple Martini
- Make-Ahead Big Batch Thanksgiving Negroni Royale
- Thanksgiving Margarita
The Harvest Crisp Martini
The Harvest Crisp Martini is a gin and elderflower cocktail with fresh orange, tart cranberry, and pinot noir shaken right in. It's bright, a little floral, and that deep red color makes it look like you hired a bartender for the night. If you need one cocktail that works for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and every fall dinner party in between, this is it.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 1 oz elderflower
- ½ oz orange juice
- ½ oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz pinot noir
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1 ½ oz gin, 1 oz elderflower liqueur, ½ oz orange juice, ½ oz cranberry juice, and 1 oz pinot noir.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into your chilled glass.
- Garnish and serve right away.
Notes
Substitutions and variations
Bourbon. Swap the gin for bourbon for a warmer, cozier version with caramel and vanilla notes. It's a great pick if your Thanksgiving crowd leans whiskey. A bourbon version pairs really well with the orange and red wine.
Lemon juice. Use lemon juice instead of orange juice for a tarter, more classic sour style. Since lemon is more acidic, start with ¼ oz and add more to taste.
Try it with a wine float. For a layered, two-tone look, leave the pinot noir out of the shaker. After you strain the drink, slowly pour 1 oz of wine over the back of a spoon so it floats on top. It's the same trick bartenders use on a New York Sour.
Make it a spritz. Strain the shaken cocktail into a wine glass over ice, top with 2 oz of prosecco. It's lighter and great for a long Thanksgiving afternoon.
Garnish ideas
- A thin orange wheel or orange twist
- A few fresh or sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick
- A small sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme
- A dehydrated orange slice on the rim
- A sugar rim with a little orange zest mixed in
My go-to is three sugared cranberries on a cocktail pick laid across the glass. They look like little jewels against the deep red cocktail.
How to make a big batch of this Harvest Crisp Martini
The big batch version makes about 10 cocktails, and you can mix the base ahead of time. The wine goes right into the pitcher, so all you have to do is pour.
Big batch for about 10:
- 1 ¾ cups gin
- 1 ¼ cups elderflower liqueur
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 ¼ cups pinot noir (about half a bottle)
Mix the gin, elderflower liqueur, and cranberry juice in a pitcher or large bottle. Chill it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
On party day, stir in the pinot noir, orange juice, and cold water up to 4 hours before guests arrive. Fresh orange juice tastes best the day it's squeezed, so I always add it last.
Why add water? When you shake a cocktail with ice, some of the ice melts into the drink. That's what makes it smooth. Adding water to the pitcher does the same job, so you can pour straight from the fridge.
To serve, stir the pitcher and pour about 6 oz into each chilled glass. I like to set up a little station with the pitcher and a bowl of sugared cranberries, so guests can garnish their own drinks. It turns into a fun party moment instead of a chore.
