Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

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This Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail recipe 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!

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Why you’ll love this Chistmasy Bourbon Cocktail recipe

This Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is quick and easy and full of the delicious seasonal flavor that you crave this time of year.

It’s the perfect bourbon cocktail for a holiday party. But is just as good for a cozy night by a fire.

With a tart flavor and a bright pinky-red color, this spiced bourbon 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.

Related: Christmas Bourbon Cocktails

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.

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.

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

Spiced Cranberry Juice (which needs cranberry juice, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks and nutmeg)
Bourbon
Ginger Beer

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. You can use whiskey if you don’t have bourbon.

Directions

Cocktail shaker on a table with cocktail ingredients.

Step 1

Make a batch of the Spiced Cranberry Juice.

This is best done the day before since you will need to let the cranberry juice cool completely.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

To Serve

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.

I wish I had one of these bourbon and cranberry cocktails right now! The flavor is so yummy!

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! You can use ground if you have to.
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. You don’t need to use something super pricey. But you should like flavor of it on its own (even if you don’t usually drink it that way).

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. Or you can make the the cranberry juice then add the bourbon and keep in the fridge. But you’ll need to wait to add the ginger beer until serving. 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.

You need to give this spiced bourbon cocktail a try!

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