Winter gets cozy with our easy Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail recipe! You'll love this perfect winter drink's mix of bourbon, cranberry juice, a squeeze of lime, and simple syrup.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
206
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice - preferably unsweetened
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel or twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.
- Squeeze a lemon and pour ¾ oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add ¾ oz simple syrup.
- Add 1 oz cranberry juice.
- Finally, measure out and add 2 oz Bourbon into the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain the mixture into the glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey or brandy can be used as a substitute. Both will give a different flavor profile but still work well with the cranberry and lemon.
- Cranberry Juice: Pomegranate juice is an excellent alternative if you're out of cranberry juice. It has a similar tartness and color.
- Simple Syrup: If you're out of simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat. Alternatively, honey or agave nectar can be used for a different sweetness profile.
Making a Pitcher of Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of cranberry juice, 6Â oz of simple syrup, and 6Â oz of lemon juice.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with a fresh lemon twist or wheel, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Simple Syrup: Ensure your syrup is not made with sugar processed using bone char, which is not vegan-friendly.
- Proceed As Usual: With this vegan-friendly sweetener, follow the original steps to enjoy a delicious vegan Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail.
What is a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail?
A Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail is a bourbon-based holiday cocktail made of cranberry juice, bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This drink is easy to make as it only requires the ingredients to be mixed in a shaker with ice and then strained into a glass. It’s not directly derived from well-known cocktails, but its fruity flavor profile may remind some of other classic drinks like Whiskey Sour with an added festive twist. The unique aspect of this cocktail is that it perfectly balances the tartness of cranberries with the warmth of bourbon, which makes it an ideal choice for winter holidays and celebrations.
What is a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Get these ingredients ready for your Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail:
- Bourbon: This is the base spirit of the cocktail, providing a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Cranberry Juice: Adds a tart and fruity element to balance out the sweetness of the bourbon.
- Lemon Juice: Gives the cocktail a citrusy kick, enhancing the flavor profile.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and helps to meld together the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Ice Cubes: Chill the cocktail to make it more enjoyable to sip on.
