Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail: made with cranberry raspberry juice, ginger ale and vodka, add easy sugared cranberries as the perfect garnish.
This Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail with sugared cranberries is the perfect easy, festive cocktail to enjoy at Christmas. Make a non-alcoholic version for non-drinkers or kids, and add some vodka for the adults. The sugared cranberries take this drink to the next level, and they're quite easy to make. We love having a signature drink for a get together and these are sure to be a hit with all your guests.
Options
I love a sweet fizzy drink, especially at Christmas and there's nothing more festive than cranberries during the holidays. And I love the combination of cranberries and raspberries, since cranberry juice can have a slight bitterness at times, and the raspberries really add a little sweetness. If you prefer though, you can also make this drink with just cranberry juice and ginger ale, or try any of the other cranberry juice combinations like cranberry apple juice, or cranberry strawberry juice/
Look for cranberry raspberry flavor cocktail or juice at the grocery store. The cocktail will have sugar added and be sweeter than the pure juice. You can use whichever you prefer.
We like ginger ale in this drink because it adds sweetness and flavor. If you like a stronger ginger flavor you could also try using ginger beer instead. If you prefer though, you could use club soda or soda water for a less sweet drink, or if using the cranberry raspberry cocktail drink which is a little sweeter than the juice.
Drink Garnish
The sugared cranberries are very easy to make and they're the perfect combination of sweet and tart. They're a wonderful garnish for this festive cocktails. A cinnamon stick makes a great stir stick for this drink during the holidays and adds natural flavors as well.
If you're serving this as part of your summer cocktails, you might substitute the sugared cranberries for fresh raspberries and a fresh lime slice in the drink or on a skewer as garnish.
Keep these simple ingredients on hand during the festive season and enjoy this easy cocktail all holiday season long.
Non-Alcohol Version
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version of this drink, simply leave out the vodka and enjoy.
Recipe
Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail and Sugared Cranberries
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup cranberry raspberry juice or cocktail
- ⅓ cup ginger ale
- 1 oz. vodka
- ice cubes
- ½ cup sugar -divided
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cranberries
Instructions
- To make the sugared cranberries, combine ¼ cup of sugar with a ¼ cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until sugar is fully dissolved, and water has come to a simmer.
- Remove from the heat and add the fresh cranberries and stir. Let the cranberries sit in the sugar water for an hour and up to 8 hours.
- Drain the cranberries, and let them sit for 5 minutes, then roll the sticky cranberries in ¼ cup sugar to coat them completely. Leave them spread out on a plate to dry slightly and set.
- To make the drink, fill a highball glass ⅓ full with cranberry raspberry juice or cocktail. Next, fill the glass another ⅓ with ginger ale. Lastly add 1 oz of vodka and ice to fill the glass.
- Skewer three sugared cranberries and add to the glass as a garnish.
Nutrition
With a Cranberry Raspberry Cocktail to enjoy, life really is a party!
More Drink Inspiration
You might also like our Homemade Gingerbread Latte here.
Also check out Easy Blackberry Sparklers Mocktail recipe here.
You might also enjoy our DIY Hot Chocolate Mix here.
Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist says
So easy to make and so delicious, especially during the holidays when you're entertaining.
Danielle says
This recipe sounds lovely!