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    Home » Cocktails » Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    Published: Sep 29, 2022 · Updated: Nov 15, 2022 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Recipe in a glass with greenery along side.
    Close up of a cranberry cocktail in a glass of ice with grated nutmeg floating on top.

    This Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail can also be called Christmas in a glass! With just four simple ingredients, this flavorful, slightly fizzy drink is ready in moments, perfect to serve at all your upcoming holiday parties.

    Overhead view of a Cranberry Bourbon cocktail in a glass.
    The perfect bourbon Christmas drink!

    With a tart flavor and a bright pinky red color, this bourbon Christmas cocktail is one to sip and share while you’re waiting for Santa to arrive!

    A few years ago I had a delicious spiced cranberry cocktail at Mozza and I had to figure out how to recreate it. It tasted like the holidays and I had to figure out how to get that flavor at home.

    So I played around in the kitchen and came up with this recipe which I think is pretty dang close to the original.

    The magic in this Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is in the Spiced Cranberry Juice. Bottled juice is infused with seasonal spices to create the perfect base for a delicious bourbon cocktail.

    I love the vibrant color and the yummy, yummy flavor.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Directions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • A few more easy recipes you might also enjoy!
    • Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    Once you make a batch of flavored juice, you can easily make several of these cocktails at one time which means this is THE drink to serve at all your holiday parties.

    I also use that to make my Cranberry Moscow Mule. And this Cranberry Vodka Slush. It’s pure holiday magic.

    This is the perfect holiday party beverage. Or for a cozy night by a fire.

    Also, this is basically a Moscow Mule thanks to the ginger beer. It would be absolutely delicious in a copper mug.

    Candy cane martinis on a table with text next to it.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for a Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail.

    You simply start with store-bought cranberry juice and then jazz it up by infusing it with warm holiday spices. I shared this Spiced Cranberry Juice recipe in a separate post so be sure to check that out too.

    With fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg, the cranberry juice has all of your favorite flavors of the holiday season.

    And with just a little bourbon and ginger beer, this Spiced Cranberry Cocktail comes together really quickly.

    Directions

    Cocktail shaker on a table with cocktail ingredients.

    Make a batch of the Spiced Cranberry Juice.

    Add the infused cranberry juice and bourbon in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake it up.

    Cranberry cocktail on a table next to a bottle of ginger beer.

    Strain the cocktail into a glass over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer and give it a little stir.

    Related: Bar Tool Essentials

    Woman grating fresh nutmeg over the top of a cocktail.

    Grate some fresh nutmeg right on top of the Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail. Your nose will thank you.

    If you can’t find fresh whole nutmeg, you can use the ground. But fresh nutmeg is exceptional.

    Close up of a bourbon Christmas cocktail on a table.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Freshly grated nutmeg is THE best. If you can’t find it in the regular spice aisle, find the ethnic foods section in your supermarket. They often have whole nutmeg and it’s usually cheaper than name brand!
    • Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice ahead. It’s delicious, easy to make, and you’ll definitely want to have it on hand for entertaining all season long.
    • Need a mocktail? Just leave out the bourbon! It will still be super tasty and refreshing.
    2 glasses of a cranberry cocktail as eyes for a happy face on a table.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a cranberry juice cocktail instead?

    Normally, I would tell you to play with your food (or in this case a cocktail), but the Spiced Cranberry Juice really adds a depth and warmth that you just won’t get from a bottled and very sweet cranberry juice cocktail.

    What brand of bourbon works best?

    You can use whichever bourbon you love or have on hand. Two of my favorites are Four Roses and Bulliet.

    Can I make a large batch of bourbon and cranberry for Christmas parties?

    I recommend making a large batch of my Spiced Cranberry Juice and then making individual cocktails. You could easily use this recipe as a signature cocktail for your holiday party and have the recipe available for guests to do their own mixing!

    2 cocktail glasses with a cranberry drink in them.
    Opt In form for a New Year's Eve Party Planner.

    A few more easy recipes you might also enjoy!

    • Warm Winter Sangria
    • Easy Pear Martini Recipe
    • Best Cranberry Moscow Mule for Christmas
    • Blood Orange Moscow Mule (with a twist!)
    • Pine Old Fashioned Drink

    Save this and Pin it for later!

    If you want to save this recipe make sure you Pin it for later! If you are not already you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. If you make this recipe make sure to tag me in your photos and leave a star rating below!

    Close up, square image of a bourbon Christmas drink.

    Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    With ginger beer, bourbon and a spiced cranberry juice, this delicious cocktail tastes like Christmas. It's tart and is infused with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. It's perfect for sharing with friends.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 serving
    Calories: 173kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker
    • Cocktail Jigger or liquid measuring cup
    • Bar spoon

    Ingredients

    • 3 oz spiced cranberry juice See full directions in separate post.
    • 1.5 oz Bourbon
    • 3 oz. Ginger Beer
    • Nutmeg, grated fresh is best if possible!

    Instructions

    • Make the Spiced Cranberry Juice and allow it time to cool completely.
    • Add spiced cranberry juice and Bourbon to a cocktail shaker.
    • Add ice and shake well.
    • Strain into a glass with ice.
    • Top with 3 oz. of ginger beer and give a quick stir.
    • Grate fresh nutmeg on top of each cocktail.

    Notes

    • If you had to, you could use plain cranberry juice and still get a delicious drink. But the spices really make it next level.
    • Freshly grated nutmeg is THE best. If you can’t find it in the regular spice aisle, find the ethnic foods section in your supermarket. They often have whole nutmeg and it’s usually cheaper than name brand!
    • Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice ahead. It’s delicious, easy to make, and you’ll definitely want to have it on hand for entertaining all season long.
    • Need a mocktail? Just leave out the bourbon! It will still be super tasty and refreshing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 14mg | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

    More Classic Cocktail Recipes

    • Refreshing Gin Cocktail with Basil and Lemon Recipe
    • 13 Amaro Cocktails to Make at Home
    • Coke and Rosé: A Real Housewife Twist on Kalimotxo
    • Refreshing Red Wine Spritzer Recipe

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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa says

      December 10, 2014 at 8:41 am

      This does look like holiday in a glass! Great job, friend.

      Reply
      • Sharon Garofalow says

        January 08, 2015 at 1:12 pm

        It’s SO good! Seriously try it!

        Reply

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    Welcome!
    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at [email protected]

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    Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

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