Anyone who knows me knows that I love bourbon. It’s my go-to base for a holiday cocktail when I’m in charge of hosting friends and family. This sparkling bourbon and cranberry juice cocktail blends some of my favorite holiday flavors: orange liqueur, cranberry, lemon, and a touch of maple. The result is a festive and delicious winter cocktail perfect for every celebration.
If you like champagne cocktails, you’ll love this recipe! This festive drink gets a bubbly lift when you add a splash of champagne or dry sparkling wine. If you can find rosemary bitters, I highly suggest using them here. If not, don’t be discouraged—Angostura bitters work beautifully, too.
What is bourbon and cranberry called?
There’s really no specific, unanimous name for a drink that includes these two ingredients. You might hear the duo called a “bourbon cranberry cocktail,” and when you add bubbles, it becomes a “sparkler” or a “spritz.”
What is a sparkler cocktail?
It’s a cocktail topped with something bubbly—like champagne or prosecco—to make it extra festive. You might also hear drinks like this referred to as spritzes!
What juices mix well with bourbon?
Besides cranberry and lemon, I recommend apple cider, orange juice, or even pomegranate for seasonal twists. Bourbon has a very distinct flavor profile, so it doesn’t taste good with everything. One thing all of these suggestions have in common is that they have a bit of tartness or acidity that balances out the deep, rich taste of the bourbon.
Can you make this cranberry cocktail ahead of time?
You can batch a bunch of these ahead of your party. Just mix everything except the champagne and ice, and chill until you’re ready to shake and serve. Bonus points for rimming and freezing your glasses in advance!
I love a good drink after dinner, especially in the cozy winter months. Here are a few more of my favorite holiday bourbon cocktails for you to try!
Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail Recipe
If you're looking for a cocktail that's both cozy and celebratory, this holiday bourbon and cranberry cocktail recipe checks all the boxes. It’s a little sweet, a little tart, and topped with bubbles. I’ll raise my glass to that!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sprinkle the sugar evenly onto your small saucer or plate.
- Run the orange wedge halfway around the edge of your glass (a champagne flute works beautifully for this cocktail).
- Invert the glass over the plate and dip the rim of the glass into the sugar. Doing just half the glass allows your guest to choose whether to drink through the sugar or not—and it still looks irresistible!
- Chill your glassware in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the bourbon, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters, and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into your chilled glass.
- Gently top the cocktail with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Add your garnishes and serve immediately.
