Holiday hosting always feels a little smoother when you have a signature drink ready, and this cranberry bourbon cocktail is the one I keep coming back to year after year. It is simple, delicious, and made with ingredients you may already have on hand, including leftover cranberry sauce.
As a Southern dietitian, I love recipes that feel connected to the season, especially when they help stretch ingredients you already have on hand. Cranberry sauce is always one of those holiday items that seems to linger in the fridge, and turning it into a simple cocktail is such a fun way to bring new life to it. I love the combination of seasonal flavors like cranberry, orange, and maple because they pair perfectly with bourbon's natural warmth.
If you love festive holiday drinks, you might also like my apple cider sangria or spiced apple whiskey cocktail.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Cranberry sauce reimaged: This cocktail uses leftover cranberry sauce, which helps reduce waste and gives the drink a naturally tart, seasonal flavor.
- Festive holiday drink: With the cranberry sauce mixed in, the drink gets a gorgeous bright red color that feels perfect for the holiday season.
- 5 ingredient cocktail: The ingredients are simple and familiar, so beginners can make it without having to buy specialty products like bitters or simple syrup!
Leftover cranberry sauce never has to go to waste! You can turn it into crowd friendly cranberry bbq meatballs, stir it into cranberry overnight oats, or whisk it into a simple cranberry barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
This maple cranberry bourbon cocktail uses a mix of simple ingredients that come together with warm holiday flavor.
- Bourbon: Choose something smooth that you enjoy sipping. A mid-range bottle works perfectly because the cranberry and citrus help balance the flavor. We like using Angel's Envy or Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey.
- Cranberry sauce:. This is the secret ingredient that gives the drink body, color, and natural tartness. Both canned and homemade cranberry sauce dissolve well when shaken.
- Orange juice: Fresh squeezed or bottled both work. The brightness helps round out the maple and cranberry.
- Maple syrup: A touch of sweetness ties everything together and brings a warm Southern flavor.
- Ginger beer or club soda: Ginger beer adds spicy-sweet bubbles. Club soda keeps the drink light and crisp. I like using a zero-sugar ginger beer for low sugar option!
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are easy ways to customize this bourbon cranberry cocktail based on what you already have at home.
- Use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry sauce if you are out of leftovers. The drink will be thinner but will give the same tart flavor
- Use honey instead of maple syrup if that is what you have in the pantry.
- Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice finish.
- Use non-alcoholic bourbon for a zero proof holiday version.
- Try pomegranate juice in place of orange juice for a deeper red color and extra tartness.
How to Make Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail
Shaking this cranberry cocktail makes it smooth and perfectly chilled.
Step 1: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2: Add bourbon, orange juice, cranberry sauce, and maple syrup.
Step 3: Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
Step 4: Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Step 5: Top with ginger beer or club soda.
Step 6: Garnish with orange slices or cranberries.
Tips For the Best Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
These simple tricks help the cocktail turn out smooth, balanced, and refreshing.
- Shake long enough for the cranberry sauce to fully dissolve, which helps the drink stay smooth instead of chunky.
- Add the fizz at the end by topping with ginger beer right before serving so the bubbles stay bright and crisp.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding a little extra maple syrup or more ginger beer for extra fizz.
Storage
Making this spiced cranberry bourbon cocktail ahead helps holiday hosting feel smoother and more relaxed.
- Refrigerate: Store leftover base in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, then shake again before pouring. I don't recommend storing once topped with ginger beer because the bubbles will fade.
- Prep ahead: Mix the base ahead of time by combining the bourbon, cranberry sauce, orange juice, and maple syrup in a sealed jar. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
FAQ
You do not have to, but straining through a fine mesh sieve will give you a smoother finish if your cranberry sauce has whole berries or larger pieces.
Absolutely. Reduce the bourbon to 1 ounce and add more ginger beer or club soda. This keeps the flavor balanced while lowering the alcohol content.
Yes, this cocktail can work as a pitcher drink. Mix 1 cup bourbon, 1 cup orange juice, ¾ cup cranberry sauce, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup in a pitcher. Refrigerate until chilled, then pour over ice and top each glass with ginger beer so every serving stays bubbly and fresh.
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Thank you!
Jessie
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz bourbon
- 1.5 oz orange juice
- 2 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ginger beer or club soda to top
- orange slices or cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add bourbon, orange juice, cranberry sauce, and maple syrup.
- Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer or club soda.
- Garnish with orange slices or cranberries.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients, especially the orange juice and cranberry sauce, to help the cocktail stay extra refreshing.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve if you prefer a smooth texture without cranberry bits.
- Adjust sweetness by adding a little extra maple syrup or balance the flavor with more ginger beer.
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