Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail

The blend of ingredients in this bourbon cranberry cocktail recipe makes for a fun and satisfying drink! The tartness of the cranberry juice perfectly balances the combined flavors of bourbon, simple syrup and ginger beer.

Closer view of the cranberry cocktail with cranberries on skewers and on the table with the other drinksPin

This cocktail is the perfect drink to serve to guests who love bourbon. Not your typical bourbon blend, it offers a novelty that will inspire their taste buds. The sweetness of the bourbon melds wonderfully with the tartness of the unsweetened cranberry juice and the spicy flavor of ginger beer. Add a dash of simple syrup and you have the perfect cocktail blend.

But you don’t have to wait for a dinner party to make this delicious cocktail. I bet you’ll love it, too.

Helpful tips

  • I almost exclusively use mid to premium alcohol. The higher quality (and cost) make for a smoother taste.
  • Where it is most important to use higher quality is when the cocktail is mostly alcohol, like a martini or Manhattan; but when you are using mixers such as the cranberry juice in this cocktail, you can go with a lower quality brand. (Though I still recommend mid to premium.)
  • I like using a pure cranberry juice that hasn’t been sweetened. That way, I can control the amount of sugar I deem appropriate instead of having to settle for the amount of sugar in most cranberry juices on the market.
  • If you can’t find unsweetened cranberry juice and use the sweetened version, OMIT the simple syrup.
  • I love a more tart cocktail so the amount of simple syrup I use may not be enough for you. I say follow the recipe as written, taste it and if the cocktail isn’t sweet enough, then add simple syrup by half ounce increments.
  • I use a cocktail shaker because I love making my cocktails that way, but you can build this cocktail directly in the glass if you prefer.
  • When cranberries are available in the store, I buy an extra bag and freeze it for garnish or if I feel like making cranberry infused vodka.

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How to make a bourbon cranberry cocktail

Pre-step

Get a cocktail shaker, measuring glass, 3 double old fashioned glasses and 3 martini picks. Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice.

After measuring out the ingredients, pour into the cocktail shaker.

Step one

Gather the ingredients –  bourbon, cranberry juice, simple syrup and ginger beer.

Bourbon, cranberry juice, simple syrup and ginger beer on a black tablePin

Step two

Measure out 4 ounces of bourbon.

Bourbon poured out with the bottle, glassware and shaker in the backgroundPin

Step two

Measure 4 ounces cranberry juice.

Cranberry juice poured out with the bottle, shaker and glass in the backgroundPin

Step three

Measure 1 ounce of simple syrup.

Simple syrup poured out with the shaker, bottle and glasses in the backgroundPin

Step four

Add extra ice to glasses. Cap shaker, shake for 15 seconds and divide the contents between the three glasses.

Step five

Spear 3 cranberries on each martini pick.

Frozen cranberries on skewers for the garnish with the ginger beer, and glasses in the backgroundPin

Step six

Pour ginger beer in each glass all the way to the top and place the garnish on the glasses.

Short glass of the bourbon cocktail in front of two other glasses. Each have skewers of cranberries on themPin

Vertical view of the bourbon cranberry cocktail.

Vertical view of the bourbon cocktail with cranberries as garnishPin

Delicious!

I hope you enjoyed this bourbon cranberry cocktail recipe.

Other cocktails made with cranberry juice

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

Square photo of the three glasses of bourbon cocktailPin

Bourbon Cranberry Cocktail

The sweetness of the bourbon and simple syrup melds perfectly with the tartness of the cranberry juice and spiciness of the ginger beer, making the perfect cocktail.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bourbon cranberry cocktail, bourbon cranberry fizz, cocktails made with bourbon, cranberry cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 3 Cocktails
Calories: 141kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces bourbon (I used Knob Creek)
  • 4 ounces cranberry juice (unsweetened if you can get it – if not, OMIT the simple syrup)
  • 1 ounce simple syrup (I love a more tart/sour cocktail but if you like a sweeter cocktail, adjust to your liking)
  • 3 ounces ginger beer (approximate – just pour it out of the can into the glass)

Garnish

  • 9 cranberries

Instructions

  • Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice and spear 3 cranberries on each martini pick
  • Add bourbon, cranberry juice and simple syrup if using unsweetened cranberry juice
    4 ounces bourbon, 4 ounces cranberry juice, 1 ounce simple syrup
  • Cap shaker and shake for at least 15 seconds
  • Add extra ice cubes to the glasses
  • Divide the liquid between each of the glasses
  • Pour enough ginger beer to the top off the glasses
    3 ounces ginger beer
  • Add garnish to each glass
    9 cranberries
  • Sip
  • Smile
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Helpful Tips
  • I almost exclusively use mid to premium alcohol. The higher quality (and cost) make for a smoother taste.
  • Where it is most important to use higher quality is when the cocktail is mostly alcohol, like a martini or Manhattan; but when you are using mixers such as the cranberry juice in this cocktail, you can go with a lower quality brand. (Though I still recommend mid to premium.)
  • I like using a pure cranberry juice that hasn’t been sweetened. That way, I can control the amount of sugar I deem appropriate instead of having to settle for the amount of sugar in most cranberry juices on the market.
  • If you can’t find unsweetened cranberry juice and use the sweetened version, OMIT the simple syrup.
  • I love a more tart cocktail so the amount of simple syrup I use may not be enough for you. I say follow the recipe as written, taste it and if the cocktail isn’t sweet enough, then add simple syrup by half ounce increments.
  • I use a cocktail shaker because I love making my cocktails that way, but you can build this cocktail directly in the glass if you prefer.
  • When cranberries are available in the store, I buy an extra bag and freeze it for garnish or if I feel like making cranberry infused vodka.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
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10 Comments

  1. I am planning to organize some girls’ party. LOVE your recipe!!! The only thing I worry about is that a bourbon-based cocktail might be too strong for us. What do you think about?:)

    1. I think you’re fine the way it is as it’s not that much bourbon but you can lessen it to 1 ounce per cocktail if you prefer a lighter drink. Thanks Irina!