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Classic Vodka and Cranberry Recipe for Your Holiday Party

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A Vodka and Cranberry recipe may just be 2 ingredients but it’s delicious, and one of the easiest vodka recipes you can make!

With a sprig of sugared rosemary, this classic drink becomes perfectly festive for fall and winter parties, holiday gatherings and beyond!

Vodka and Cranberry in a cocktail glass with rosemary garnish.
The color of this vodka cranberry is bright and the flavor is bold!

A Cranberry Vodka cocktail you’ll love

While you can drink Vodka and Cranberry any time of year, it’s especially wonderful around Christmas. With that gorgeous color, this 2-ingredient cocktail is one of my favorites.

Like my Vodka and Coke, this Vodka Cranberry recipe is barely a recipe. Just the way I like it.

My cocktail mission statement is to use basic ingredients in delicious ways that don’t require any special skills or tools.

Classic cocktails, like this one sometimes called a Cape Cod, are sometimes overlooked but for their simplicity and taste they shouldn’t be!

Why This Recipe Works

Cranberry juice is a classic cocktail ingredient. And I hear it works wonders for your urinary tract health. Bonus!

Vodka is a bar staple that you probably have hanging around. It’s versatile in flavor and color and pairs well with just about anything you put with it (apple juice, orange juice, tea, etc).

Related post: Christmas Cosmo with Rosemary Cinnamon Simple Syrup

The color of the juice creates a pretty drink that looks extra celebratory. You can easily make the drink suit any occasion depending on when you are serving it.

Serve this drink at Friendsgiving, your Holiday Cookie Exchange, or any time you’re having a holiday happy hour.

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

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients to make a Vodka Cranberry cocktail.
What you need to make a Vodka Cranberry.

In my opinion, a squeeze of fresh lime makes any cocktail better.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

A jigger next to a bottle of Tito's vodka and a cocktail glass with ice.

Step 1

To a short cocktail glass with ice, add vodka.

A cocktail glass full of ice next to a jigger with cranberry juice.

Step 2

Next, add the cranberry juice.

A cocktail glass with cranberry juice and vodka on a tray next to a piece of lime.

Step 3

A squeeze of fresh lime really does wonders to brighten this Vodka and Cranberry and give it another layer of flavor.

I don’t consider lime another ingredient really. It’s like salt and pepper in a recipe.

You can skip this if you don’t have it. Or use a splash of Rose’s Lime Juice if you have it.

Give it all a quick stir.

A sprig of sugared rosemary on a tray next to a plate of sugar with a sprig of rosemary.

For the holidays, garnish with fresh herbs (rosemary looks like super tall skinny pine trees) and whole fresh cranberries.

Any other time of year, slap a lime wheel on top and you’re good to go. Or browse more garnish ideas.

Hint: The perfect holiday garnish for Vodka and Cranberry is sugared rosemary with a few fresh cranberries skewered on the stem.

How to Make Sugared Rosemary

To create the sugared rosemary, simply dip the sprig in a bowl of water. Shake to remove excess water.

Dip the moistened rosemary into sugar poured on a shallow plate. Let sit to dry before adding as a garnish.

Overhead view of a bundt cake topped with powdered sugar next to cranberry vodka in glasses.

This cranberry cocktail pairs perfectly with my Christmas Cranberry Cake by the way.

Variations

While it’s delicious to sip as is, by adding just one more or a few ingredients you can really level up the flavor and create many more cocktails.

This super simple Cranberry Vodka and make it into a handful of other delicious drinks.

  • Cosmopolitan – Add Cointreau and you’ve got the signature drink of Sex and the City.
  • Madras – Orange juice gives this cocktail some sweetness and a delicious kick of citrus.
  • Sea Breeze – The addition of grapefruit juice makes this vacation worthy.
  • Cranberry Mimosa – Make it brunch-worthy with the addition of some sparkling wine.
  • Bay Breeze – Pineapple juice makes this version sweet and perfect for people who aren’t big drinkers.
  • Cranberry Mule – A little ginger beer makes this into one of my favorite Moscow Mule cocktails.
  • St. Germain and Cranberry – Skip the lime and use lemon instead. A splash of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur gives this a delicious floral update.

Top Tips

  • If you want this Vodka and Cranberry recipe to be a bit sweeter, you can use a little bit of simple syrup (or a flavored simple syrup like Vanilla Cinnamon Simple Syrup).
  • You can play around with the ratio of vodka to juice to suit your taste preferences. Some people just like a splash of juice.
  • Want to make this even more holiday-friendly? Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice and use that in place of plain juice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vodka and cranberry juice taste good?

YES! Vodka and cranberry taste good. Cranberry juice is refreshing but not overly sweet. This is a good drink for people who don’t like sugary cocktails.

Does vodka and cranberry get you drunk?

Yes. Depending on how many you drink, how quickly you drink them and how much vodka you put in the cocktail you can absolutely get drunk. This is currently my favorite hangover supplement if you need it (not intended as medical advice).

Is vodka and cranberry a girly drink?

Nope. There’s no such thing as a “girly” drink. Guys and girls can drink whatever they want.

What type of vodka should I use?

To keep this vodka and cranberry juice cocktail as classic as possible, you should use plain vodka. I prefer Tito’s. It’s reasonably priced and has a nice taste. But you can also swap out for flavored vodka. Something with citrus would be delightful!

Overhead shot of two cocktail glasses with cranberry juice and vodka and garnished with rosemary and cranberries.

This quick and easy Vodka Cranberry drink makes the perfect simple cocktail for the holidays and beyond.

More easy cranberry recipes

More easy cocktails

A cocktail glass with vodka and cranberry garnished with lime and cranberries on a table.

Vodka and Cranberry

This super easy vodka cranberry juice cocktail is full of flavor and might just be the easiest drink you can make. Try out different garnishes to make it suited for a specific holiday or time of year.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Calories: 142kcal
Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

Instructions

  • To a short cocktail glass with ice, add vodka.
  • Add cranberry juice.
  • Add the juice of 1/4 of a lime.
  • Stir. Garnish and enjoy.

Notes

  • If you want this Vodka and Cranberry recipe to be a bit sweeter, you can use a little bit of simple syrup (or a flavored simple syrup like Vanilla Cinnamon Simple Syrup).
  • You can play around with the ratio of vodka to juice to suit your taste preferences. Some people just like a splash of juice.
  • Want to make this even more holiday-friendly? Make my Spiced Cranberry Juice and use that in place of plain juice.
  • See the post for flavor variations by adding one more ingredient.
To make sugared rosemary: Dip a fresh rosemary sprig into a small bowl of water. Gently shake off excess. Dip wet rosemary in a shallow plate of sugar. Let dry for a few minutes before using to garnish a drink. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
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8 Comments

  1. I love finishing up work on Friday and starting the weekend off with a vodka cranberry. Such a refreshing drink and it’s so easy to make!

  2. Vodka cranberry is one of my go to drink orders. You can’t go wrong with is combination!

  3. Vodka cranberry is a classic combination that is hard to beat. I really like the fresh herbal garnish idea.

  4. 5 stars
    The rosemary garnish, against the fresh cranberries, is EVERYTHING! This vodka cranberry drink is festive, especially in pretty copper Moscow mule mugs!

    1. Right? A vodka and cranberry is so classic and totally refreshing. That rosemary pairs so well.

  5. My aunt always serves cranberry vodka at family gatherings! It’s such an easy crowd pleasing recipe.

    1. Yes! I something try to make elaborate cocktails but something simple like Vodka and Cranberry is always a favorite!

4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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