Cranberry Gin Cocktail (A Holiday Drink Recipe)

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Add a unique twist to your holiday festivities with this cranberry gin cocktail! With notes of rosemary, orange, cranberry and woodsy gin, it’s like the holiday season in a glass.

The holidays are, for many of us, the best time of year. Each year we host various Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. It goes without saying that November and December are rockin’ around here. 

And festive cocktails are a big part of our holiday traditions. At the start of every holiday party, I like to offer a signature classic cocktail to get everyone into the festive mood.

This cranberry cocktail is a great way to kick off the party, and I bet you’ll be pouring it all winter long!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious cocktail:

• Quality gin
• Fresh cranberries
• Ginger beer
• Sugar

How to Make This Cranberry Gin Cocktail

It only takes a few simple steps to create this delicious cocktail:

Make the Cranberry Simple Syrup

Making cranberry simple syrup is very similar to how we’d make homemade cranberry sauce. 

Bring the fresh cranberries, sugar and water to a boil on the stove. When the cranberries start to pop, lower the heat and use a wooden spoon to mash them up. 

Then, let the cranberries sit until they cool to room temperature. Strain the simple syrup out, making sure to press down on the cranberries to squeeze as much syrup out as possible for maximum cranberry flavor.

See the recipe card for full instructions.

This recipe will give you about 1 cup of cranberry simple syrup. Use it in all of your favorite holiday cocktails, drizzle it over ice cream or pancakes or stir it into a cup of tea.

It’s great to have on hand during the season of all things cranberry! 

Mix the cocktail

You won’t even need a cocktail shaker to make this easy cocktail – we’ll be gently stirring everything together instead. 

Start by stirring the gin and cranberry syrup together in a rocks glass. Then, fill the glass with ice and top it off with ginger beer. 

Serve with a sprig of fresh rosemary, orange peel and/or sugared cranberries. 

What’s the best gin to use for cocktails? 

Gin is a super versatile spirit that’s also very nuanced. Here are some points to consider when choosing a good quality gin for this holiday cocktail recipe:

1. London Dry Gin: A classic gin known for its clean profile, London dry gin is a versatile choice for any cocktail. Unlike regular gin that is often sweetened after it’s distilled, London dry gin is not sweetened at all. Its stronger herbal essence makes it a great option for various holiday cocktails. Examples of London dry gin are Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray.
2. Plymouth Gin: With a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor profile, Plymouth Gin is less dry than London and pairs really well with herbal and citrusy components.
3. New American or American Dry Gin: These gins have a more pronounced focus on botanicals, giving your cocktail a more dynamic flavor profile. Quality New American gins include Bluecoat and Leopold’s.

Variations on this recipe

Experiment with these ideas to make the perfect holiday cocktail for your tastes:

1. Cranberry Juice:  If you’re not making the homemade simple syrup, use pure cranberry juice or even pomegranate juice instead. Because unsweetened cranberry juice will be more tart than the syrup, consider adding plain simple syrup, honey, tonic water or orange juice to balance out the tartness. 
2. Try Different Herbs: Rosemary is a classic, but sage and thyme are also awesome herbs for holiday cocktails. They add amazing aromatics with every sip. 
3. Ginger Ale: The spicy bite of ginger beer offers the perfect balance to this drink. But if you’re looking for a sweeter fall cocktail, go with ginger ale instead. 
4. Change up the Juice: Swap out the cranberry altogether and try apple cider instead. You’ll still want to add a little sweetener like honey or maple syrup with this variation, but you’ll end up with a delicious concoction with an autumnal feel that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. Garnish with fresh herbs, cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

How to Make a Big Batch of Cranberry Gin Cocktails

To make a party pitcher of this cranberry gin drink, use these measurements:

• 8 cups (64 oz.) of gin
• 4 cups (32 oz.) of cranberry syrup
• 6-7 12 oz. bottles of ginger beer

Combine everything in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Be sure to offer ice and garnishes like rosemary sprigs, orange peels and sugared cranberries so that your guests can create their very own beautiful cocktails. 

When you make this cranberry gin cocktail, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, try these:

• Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Cocktail with Ginger and Orange
• Ultimate Thanksgiving Sangria
• Fig Old Fashioned Cocktail

For more Christmas cocktail recipes, try these:

• Holiday Manhattan Cocktail
• Pomegranate Bellini
• Holiday Moscow Mule with Pomegranate and Sage