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.
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, and enjoy.
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