If you're looking for a fun holiday-inspired cocktail idea to serve at parties this season you need to make this frozen Cranberry Vodka Slush recipe! These Christmas cranberry cocktails are perfect for making ahead, ready to serve to guests at your next holiday party!
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About this alcoholic slush recipe with vodka
This Cranberry Slush with vodka would make a great signature cocktail for any get-together. You can easily serve them up as you need them. Just keep the slush in the freezer and top with soda as needed!
With seasonal spices and bright cranberry flavor, your friends and family will love this tasty frozen cocktail! I mean, it's essential a frozen vodka cranberry (sometimes called a Cape Cod) but a lot more flavorful.
Give yourself a few days to make this easy vodka recipe (there's some heating, cooling, freezing, etc.) but once it's prepped, these cocktails are a breeze to serve.
Like, give yourself a few days. You can probably make it a bit quicker than that, but you would need to be way more hands-on and you really just can't rush the freezing process.
Gather up the ingredients and make these this year for all your Christmas parties!
Why This Recipe Works
I know a frozen Cranberry Vodka Slush is probably not the first cocktail you think about when you think of cold-weather gatherings.
But it should be.
The color is so fun and festive and you're totally going to love the flavor!
The Spiced Cranberry Juice that you make as the base can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 weeks so you can really make it ahead of time! It's full of seasonal flavors that feel festive.
This would be so yummy for a fun girls' night in party (like a cookie exchange) or even on Christmas day!
If you're making the cranberry base, you may also want to try this yummy Cranberry Mule and Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail.
Ingredients
This frozen vodka slush for Christmas is probably going to end up a part of your holiday traditions. That gorgeous color would pretty up any party!
- Batch of Spiced Cranberry Juice
- vodka
- orange juice
- lime juice
- lemon-lime soda
This drink starts with my Spiced Cranberry Juice. If you aren't ready to click over and check out the cranberry juice post just know you will also need 64 oz. of cranberry juice, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and fresh ginger. And cheesecloth.
I used Tito's Vodka in my cranberry slush, but you can use whatever you have on hand. You can also try this by leaving the vodka out and freezing the spiced cranberry and citrus juices in ice cube trays.
Orange juice and lime juice are best when fresh-squeezed, but you can make it easier with store-bought.
You can blend those, with vodka, in a blender. Or make it similar to my Slushy Vodka Sunrise - over shave ice!
Top with Lemon Lime Soda. If you aren't a fan of lemon-lime soda, this would also be super tasty with ginger ale, ginger beer, and maybe even champagne! Get creative! (Note: I prefer generic brand lemon-lime soda for cocktails. I just like how the flavor pairs with other ingredients over name brand soda).
How to make vodka cranberry slush
Step 1
Make the Spiced Cranberry Juice per the directions in this post. (It would be best to make it the day before you need it at least as it needs to freeze 4 hours but is better overnight!)
Step 2
In a large pitcher, add cranberry juice, vodka, orange, and lime juice.
Mix well.
Step 3
Pour into double Ziplock bags or another freezer-safe container.
Step 4
Freeze overnight or at least 4 hours.
Step 5
Let thaw for 5-10 minutes before serving (depending on how slushy you want it). It will start to soften pretty quickly. And when you add the soda, it will begin melting even more.
Step 6
Place about ½ cup of frozen vodka slush into a glass.
Step 7
Top with lemon-lime soda.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Tips and Tricks
- Make the Spiced Cranberry Juice ahead of time. It can be stored in the fridge for up to three weeks.
- To get a good slushie effect, you'll need to freeze the cranberry vodka mixture overnight.
- You can use infused vodka if you'd like. You can even make your own. A citrus or orange flavor would be excellent with the cranberry juice.
- Don't want to make this with vodka? No problem! Just leave it out and you've created a mocktail your kids will love. Just keep in mind that the mixture will freeze all the way and will need more time to thaw out.
- You can also use tequila or bourbon if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vodka doesn't freeze. The Kitchn says that the vodka in your recipe should be 20% or less to get the perfect slush texture.
I love Tito's. It's reasonably priced, reputable and a very popular bottle.
A few more easy recipes you might also enjoy!
- Best Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Spiced Cranberry Ginger and Bourbon Cocktail
- Pineapple Orange Champagne Punch
- Spiced Pear Bellini Fall Cocktail
- Dairy Free Bourbon Milk Punch
- Christmas Cosmo Recipe
- Amaro Recipe
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Frozen Cranberry Vodka Slush
Equipment
- Blender
- Ziploc bags
Ingredients
- 4 cups spiced cranberry juice
- 2 cups Vodka
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup lime juice
- Top with Lemon Lime Soda
Instructions
- Make the Spiced Cranberry Juice per the directions in this post. (It would be best to make the day before you need the juice.)
- In a large pitcher, add cranberry juice, vodka, orange and lime juice.
- Mix well.
- Pour into doubled up Ziplock bags or another freezer-safe container.
- Freeze overnight or at least 4 hours.
- Let thaw for 10 minutes before serving (depends on how slushy you want it).
- Place about ½ cup of frozen vodka slush into a glass.
- Top with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
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