17+ Cranberry Cocktails & Mocktails to Make this Season

Cranberry provides cocktails with the perfect blend of tartness and sweetness — plus a beautiful ruby hue. These cranberry cocktails and mocktails can be served for Thanksgiving, Christmas and every day in-between.

Your ultimate guide to cranberry cocktails & mocktails

When it comes to the holiday season, there are a few flavors that can span the season. Cranberries are one of those flavors. These dark red beauties pack a punch of sweetness and tartness that pair with turkey just as well as they do with cookies.

Cranberries also pair well with a host of different liquors, making them a quintessential holiday ingredient. You can use their juice in a cocktail or the berries to make ​cranberry syrup​ for mixing into your favorite drinks.

The color also brings a festive touch to the table. It’s hard to beat that gorgeous red color — add in the fruit flavor and these will be staples of the season!

The best cranberry juice for drinks 

Before you pick up a bottle of cranberry juice, you should know what to look for — and what will work best in your drink. Although in many recipes I recommend fresh squeezed juice, both 100% cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktail both have their place.

• 100% juice usually contains less sugar and more tart cranberry flavor. It has a darker color.
• Cranberry juice cocktail is sweeter and more brightly colored. If you want your cocktail to be more red, opt for this since 100% juice can be darker or even a little bit brown.
• White cranberry juice white cranberry juice tastes similar to white grape juice (it can sometimes contain a mix of white grape juice and the juice of white cranberries). If you’re not looking for the deep red color, this can work in most recipes!

Ocean spray is a common brand, but as always use your favorite or find what’s available to you. Try different options to discover what you like best!

What to serve with cranberry cocktails & mocktails

Cranberries aren’t just meant for your glasses — put them on the plate too! Cranberry brie bites are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that feels elevated. Sugared cranberries are an amazing garnish, but can also round out a charcuterie board. Once you try bourbon orange cranberry sauce, you won’t want to go back to the canned stuff!

Don’t skip the sweet stuff! White chocolate cranberry oatmeal cookies are the perfect blend of crunchy and soft, plus a tart bite thanks to the red berries. Christmas jello shots bring the jiggly fun to any holiday party with treats dressed for the holidays.

The best cranberry cocktails & mocktails 

Guests are sure to be ‘berry’ excited when they see one of these drinks is on the menu:

1

Cape Codder (Vodka Cranberry)

Simple, classic and effortlessly refreshing, the Cape Codder blends vodka and cranberry juice for a crisp, tangy sip. It’s timeless yet cozy, especially when cranberry season rolls around. This recipe proves elegance doesn’t have to be complicated.

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2

Classic Cosmopolitan Drink

Stylish and spirited, the Cosmopolitan brings together bright cranberry, citrus and a splash of vodka for a cocktail that always feels like a celebration. Tart yet balanced, it’s equally at home at parties or a quiet night in.

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3

Yule Mule

A merry twist on the Moscow Mule, the Yule Mule adds cranberry for a burst of color and tart sparkle. Ginger beer keeps it lively while vodka stays clean and crisp. It’s the kind of drink that instantly feels like a party.

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4

Cranberry Lime Mocktail

Tangy cranberry and zesty lime come together in this bright, fizzy mocktail version of the Cape Codder. It’s refreshing, simple and perfect for anyone skipping the booze but not the fun. Great for brunch, parties or cozy nights in.

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5

Woodford Reserve Spire Cocktail

Rich bourbon meets tart cranberry and fresh lemon in the Woodford Reserve Spire. The result is smooth, sophisticated balance with just the right touch of sweetness. This recipe is refined without trying too hard.

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6

Cranberry Mimosas

Light, bubbly and full of cheer, the Cranberry Mimosa turns any morning into a celebration. Sparkling wine and cranberry juice create a festive hue and a refreshing finish — perfect for brunch or holiday toasts.

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7

White Christmas Margarita

Creamy, tangy and beautifully festive, the White Christmas Margarita turns tequila into a winter treat. White cranberry juice gives it a snowy hue and soft sweetness that play perfectly with lime. It’s pure holiday magic in a glass.

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8

Madras Drink

Easygoing and endlessly drinkable, the Madras mixes vodka with cranberry and orange juice for a fruity, refreshing balance. Bright but never too sweet, it fits any occasion from brunch to cocktail hour.

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9

Washington Apple Cocktail

Crisp and lightly tart, the Washington Apple Cocktail blends cranberry with apple and whiskey for a flavor that feels like fall in a glass. Juicy, smooth and perfectly balanced, it’s one you’ll keep making year-round.

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10

Cranberry Sauce Old-Fashioned Cocktail

A festive riff on the classic, this Old-Fashioned stirs cranberry sauce into bourbon for a tart-sweet punch. The whiskey still takes center stage, but the cranberry adds cozy, holiday depth. It’s a clever way to use leftovers — and tastes anything but.

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11

Sparkling Holiday Mocktail

Light, bubbly and full of cheer, the Sparkling Holiday Mocktail mixes cranberry juice with sparkling water for an easy, crowd-friendly sip. Bright and refreshing, it brings the party spirit without the proof.

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12

Christmas Mimosa

This white cranberry mimosa sparkles with winter charm. Bubbly and lightly tart, it’s elegant yet effortless — the kind of drink that instantly feels celebratory. Perfect for brunch or holiday toasts.

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13

Cranberry Vanilla Old-Fashioned

Smooth, aromatic and just sweet enough, the Vanilla Cranberry Old-Fashioned combines bourbon with cranberry and a touch of vanilla. The flavors meld into something cozy and layered, made for slow sipping by the fire.

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14

Pink Drink

With white cranberry juice as its base, this drink shows off soft strawberry and floral notes for a delicate, refreshing balance. Pretty and lightly fruity, it’s a crowd-pleaser any time of year.

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15

Poinsettia Drink

Elegant and effervescent, the Poinsettia pairs cranberry juice with sparkling wine for a vibrant, refreshing cocktail. Simple to make and instantly festive, it’s ideal for easy entertaining.

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16

Holiday Punch

Bright, bubbly and bursting with cranberry flavor, this punch brings effortless holiday energy. It’s simple to batch ahead and always a hit with guests — the definition of party-ready.

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17

Cranberry Gin & Tonic

A tart, botanical spin on the classic G&T, the Cranberry Gin & Tonic pairs crisp gin with cranberry juice for a refreshingly vivid finish. Fizzy, balanced and festive, it works as well in December as it does in July.

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