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Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Drink

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
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, 6 oz of simple syrup, and 6 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.