Vanilla Cranberry Old-Fashioned Cocktail

The Vanilla Cranberry Old-Fashioned is a stunning, sweeter, seasonal take on the classic whiskey cocktail garnished with sugared cranberries. Serve up one of these drinks to your Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s guests for a festive addition to any holiday party. 

Vanilla Cranberry Old-Fashioned Cocktail recipe

Thanksgiving is one week away. My goodness. How did that even happen? Is it just me or has fall has seemed particularly busier this year than past ones?

I’m spending it away from home this year, and I’m looking forward to relaxing and having some lighter cooking duties for once. I love Thanksgiving so much, but this woman needs a break!

So what does a busy woman make for Thanksgiving when she’s away from home? Probably mini cranberry apple crisps. And orange bourbon cranberry sauce. And maybe my chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

That, and my friends usually put me in charge of cocktails. This year I’m planning to serve up some vanilla cranberry old-fashioned cocktails after dinner.

These festive cocktails are made with cranberry syrup, bourbon, lemon zest and vanilla bitters.

What is an old-fashioned?

The old-fashioned is a classic cocktail made with any type of whiskey — usually bourbon — or another strong spirit like mezcal or aged rum.

Old-fashioned cocktails are spirit-forward, meaning they are heavy on the booze. They don’t have any mixers like sour mix or soda. (Though sometimes bars do this, and they shouldn’t.)

Instead, they include small amounts of added flavor, usually in the form of orange zest, a cocktail cherry, some kind of bitters and a sugar cube or simple syrup.

This one uses bourbon, homemade cranberry syrup or a splash of cranberry juice, plus vanilla bitters. Every sip tastes like the holidays.

For the garnish, add a clear ice cube, a piece of lemon zest and a few sugared cranberries.

Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make this Cranberry Vanilla Old-Fashioned:

Sugared cranberries: These rutilant bejeweled beauties are muddled with the bourbon, plus more are added for garnish.

Cranberry simple syrup: Homemade cranberry syrup is perfect for cocktails like this. It’s so easy to make with fresh cranberries. You can also use cranberry juice instead, but it’s a little more tart. You can sweeten it up with plain simple syrup. Or you could use leftover cranberry sauce!

Bourbon: Your favorite bourbon whiskey will be perfect. My go-to’s are Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve and Wild Turkey 101. You could also use rye whiskey instead.

Vanilla bitters: These sweet vanilla-spiced bitters are the perfect match for cranberries. Don’t have vanilla? Use Angostura bitters or any fall flavor like cinnamon, clove or cardamom.

Lemon zest: Old-fashioneds usually call for orange zest, but lemon adds a brightness. The sour and acidic properties of lemon help to balance out the tartness of the cranberries and sweetness of the syrup and bourbon.

Ice cube: Don’t forget that ice is an ingredient! For a festive touch, you can pop cranberries or rosemary into the ice tray to make berry ice cubes or herb ice cubes.

How to make a Vanilla Cranberry Old-Fashioned

To make a this Christmas Old-Fashioned, you’ll muddle fresh cranberries and simple syrup.

Then, add a giant ice cube and your favorite whiskey or bourbon.

Add a few dashes of bitters on top and squeeze a piece of lemon zest over top and wave it around the rim of the glass to release the lemon essential oils for flavor and aroma.

Top with some homemade candied cranberries and you’re ready to serve this festive libation. Cheers!

Holiday menu ideas

• Blue Cheese + Bacon Cheesecake
• Crispy Pork & Sesame Slaw Sliders
• Apple and Caramelized Onion Tartlets
• Sparkling Cranberry Orange Cream Puffs
• Pear and Pecan Arugula Salad with Sparkling Cranberry Vinaigrette

More holiday cocktails

• Yule Mule: A Christmas Moscow Mule Recipe
• Cape Codder (Vodka Cranberry)
• Christmas Margaritas
• Gin & Ginger Fizzy Lifter
• Ginger Pomegranate Mule
• Cranberry Ginger Bourbon Fizz