It’s nearly impossible to make it through the winter holiday season without cranberries. But why would you want to? The tart yet sweet flavor—and undeniable versatility—make the robust berry a reliable backbone to many holiday dishes, desserts and drinks.
With a season as busy as the holidays, finding ways to keep stress low is crucial for celebration. In an effort to lower the stakes—without sacrificing an impressive and delicious cocktail menu—try serving these easy-to-make cranberry-powered holiday cocktails at your next party, cocktail hour, or gift exchange. Crafted by Sarah Morrissey, a former Punch Bartender in Residence, these creative and unique holiday cocktails will allow you to put the expected eggnog and spiked apple cider aside. Whether you have a bottle of aged white rum you’ve been saving to try or like to stick to a smooth bourbon, adding the bold flavor of cranberries is an effortless way to zhuzh up your holiday cocktail menu.
Bulldog Cooler
If bourbon is your liquor of choice, try Morrissey’s bittersweet Bulldog Cooler, featuring Ocean Spray®’s classic Cranberry Juice Cocktail.
Serving: 1
2 ounce Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1.5 ounces bourbon
2 dashes angostura bitters
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce triple sec or Cointreau
Garnish: orange twist, skewered brandied cherries, mint spring
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare a collins glass with ice.
2. Add Ocean Spray®, bourbon, bitters, orange juice and triple sec to a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice, then shake until chilled.
4. Strain into a prepared collins glass.
5. Garnish with an orange twist, skewered brandied cherries and a mint spring.
Pink Lady
If you’re a fan of a classic gin fizz, try this holiday twist.
Serving: 1
1/2 ounce Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 oz Ocean Spray® Pink Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 egg white
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Apple Jack
3/4 ounce lemon juice
Small bar spoon simple syrup
Garnish: Apple slice and Ocean Spray® Fresh Cranberry on a skewer
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare a chilled coupe glass with ice.
2. Add Ocean Spray®, egg white, gin, Apple Jack, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Add one piece of ice, then whip shake.
4. Dump ice out of the coupe glass, pour drink into the prepared coupe glass.
5. Garnish with the apple and cranberry skewer.
Paradise City
If you love a beachside cocktail, try this tropic-inspired drink to bring a warm feel to even the snowiest winter spot.
Serving: 1
INGREDIENTS
2 ounce Ocean Spray® CranᐧPineapple™ Cranberry Pineapple Juice Drink
2 ounce white rum
1 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup
Garnish: Pineapple wedge
DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare a chilled coupe glass with ice.
2. Add Ocean Spray®, rum, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice, then shake until chilled.
4. Dump ice out of the couple glass and strain drink into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge