Gin and rosemary are an ideal flavor pairing for the holidays, and this cranberry rosemary gin fizz makes the most of both. The cranberry gives it a ruby red color, while a sprig of sugared rosemary looks like a tiny snow-covered Christmas tree.
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About this Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz recipe
Gin and I didn’t always get along. When I was younger, I couldn’t get past its piney flavor — I thought it tasted like Christmas trees. I’ve since learned to appreciate all the different flavors gin can offer, and around the holidays, those woodsy notes are just what I’m looking for in a festive cocktail.
This cranberry rosemary cocktail combines gin with tart cranberry juice, fresh lemon and homemade rosemary syrup. A splash of club soda gives the drink a refreshing fizz, and the cranberries and sugared rosemary are a holiday season favorite at my house. I love how the sugared rosemary looks like it’s been dusted with snow.
The red and green colors are perfect for Christmas. For Thanksgiving, you can skip the rosemary and use cranberries or a slice of dehydrated orange slices instead. Either way, it’s a lovely drink for celebrating with friends and family.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Beautiful for the holidays. The cranberry and rosemary garnishes give this cocktail a festive look perfect for any holiday party or winter celebration.
- Bright and refreshing. The tart cranberry and lemon flavors balance the sweetness of the rosemary syrup.
- Easy to customize. Choose your favorite style of gin, substitute another spirit or make a non-alcoholic version.
- Simple to prepare. Once the rosemary syrup is ready, each cocktail takes just a few minutes before it’s ready to serve.
Ingredients & essentials
The base of this holiday cocktail is gin. I used London dry gin, which has a distinctive juniper flavor that works really well with the rosemary.
If gin isn’t your favorite spirit, you can make this cocktail with tequila or vodka instead. Both pair well with these seasonal flavors. Vodka will let the fruit and herbs stand out. Tequila brings its own character to the drink. Whichever you choose to try, use the same amount as the gin in the recipe.
You’ll also need fresh lemon juice and cranberry juice for a bright, bold flavor combination. I like 100% cranberry juice because it has a more pure cranberry flavor. However, it can give the cocktail a more muted, brownish-red color. Cranberry juice cocktail has a more brilliant red color, so that’s what I reach for when presentation is especially important. It’s a great choice for a Christmas party when you want the red and green garnishes to stand out.
Rosemary simple syrup adds sweetness and an herbal flavor that complements the gin. It’s made with granulated sugar, water and fresh rosemary sprigs. You can follow the recipe below or make a batch of my rosemary simple syrup ahead of time.
A splash of club soda gives the cocktail its sparkle. You’ll also need ice, plus frozen or fresh cranberries and a sugared rosemary sprig for garnish.
Some gin fizz recipes include egg white for a silky texture and a foamy top, but it’s not required. (I didn’t use egg white in the photos of this cocktail.) If you’d like to include it, add about ½ ounce of egg white to the cocktail shaker *. My Ramos gin fizz is another delicious cocktail that’s made with egg white.
Best gin for a cranberry rosemary gin fizz
I made this cocktail with London dry gin, which has the classic juniper-forward flavor I love in a holiday drink.
For something a little more floral, try Hendrick’s gin. It’s one of my favorites for its softer, more delicate notes. Old Tom gin is another good option if you prefer a milder gin flavor.
There’s so much more variety in gin than I realized when I first tried it. If you’re interested in exploring the different styles, my gin 101 guide is a great place to start.
Mocktail version
It’s easy to adapt this recipe into a cranberry rosemary mocktail with the same festive flavors. Simply leave out the gin, or replace it with my homemade zero-proof gin or another clear, non-alcoholic spirit with herbal notes.
Keep the cranberry juice, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and club soda, then garnish as usual. The rosemary adds plenty of flavor even without the gin.
Instructions
For equipment, grab a cocktail shaker *, jigger and highball glass. You can also mix the drink directly in the glass if you prefer. A small saucepan is needed to simmer the syrup if you’re making it from scratch.
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- Add the gin, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. You can also stir everything together in the glass.
- Fill a highball glass * with ice and pour the drink over the ice.
- Top with the club soda.
- Garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries and a sprig of sugared rosemary.
Tips & tricks
- Make the syrup ahead of time. Prepare the rosemary syrup before your gathering so all you have to do is mix the drinks. It keeps for up to two weeks in a mason jar.
- Wake up the rosemary. Before adding the fresh sprigs to your syrup, give them a gentle clap between your palms. This helps release their aromatic oils.
- Add the bubbles last. Pour in the club soda after shaking or stirring the other ingredients so the drink stays fizzy.
- Adjust the sweetness. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweeter than unsweetened cranberry juice. Taste the drink before adding extra syrup if you’re using the sweeter variety.
Serving suggestions
This cranberry rosemary gin fizz looks beautiful in a highball glass * with a few cranberries floating among the ice and a sprig of sugared rosemary as a garnish. The sugar crystals give the rosemary a snowy appearance that’s especially pretty for Christmas.
You can make the sugared rosemary by dipping a sturdy sprig into simple syrup, letting it become sticky and rolling it in sugar. For more festive ideas, check out my Christmas cocktail garnishes.
If you’re planning a holiday drinks menu, my 17+ cranberry cocktails and mocktails roundup has even more ideas for putting this seasonal fruit to good use.
A more fall look for Thanksgiving
For Thanksgiving, skip the green rosemary garnish and use cranberries on their own. You can also add a slice of dehydrated citrus for a warmer, more autumn-inspired look.
My berry ice cubes are another fun way to incorporate cranberries into the presentation. Freeze a few berries into ice cubes ahead of time, then use them in the finished drinks.
FAQ
You can prepare the rosemary syrup in advance and measure out the gin, lemon juice and cranberry juice before guests arrive. Refrigerate the mixture, then add the club soda just before serving so it doesn’t lose its fizz.
No. You can add the gin, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and cranberry juice to a glass and stir until well combined, then add ice and top with club soda.
Yes! Store-bought rosemary syrup works just as well if you don’t have time to make your own. Start with the amount called for in the recipe, then adjust to taste since sweetness can vary between brands.
Yes! Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need, except for the club soda. Combine the gin, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and cranberry juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Pour into ice-filled glasses, top each with 3 ounces of club soda and add the garnishes.
DISCLAIMER
*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz
ingredients
Rosemary simple syrup
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Cranberry rosemary gin fizz
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup
- ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- 3 ounces club soda
- ice
- 3-5 whole cranberries fresh or frozen, for garnish
- 1 sprig sugared rosemary for garnish
instructions
Rosemary simple syrup
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Do not let boil.½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup water
- Remove from heat and add the rosemary sprigs. Let rest for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Leave in longer for a stronger flavor. Discard the rosemary.4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Store in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks.
Cranberry rosemary gin fizz
- Add the gin, lemon juice, rosemary syrup and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. You can also stir everything together in the glass.2 ounces London dry gin, 1 ounce lemon juice, ¾ ounce rosemary simple syrup, ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- Fill a highball glass with ice and pour the drink over the ice.ice
- Top with the club soda.3 ounces club soda
- Garnish with fresh or frozen cranberries and a sprig of sugared rosemary.3-5 whole cranberries, 1 sprig sugared rosemary
notes
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