3 Delicious Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup

My homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup recipe is the perfect celebratory mixer for holiday cocktails.  Scroll down to learn how to make 3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup!

Ever since I started cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I have only used whole cranberries to make homemade cranberry sauces and chutneys.  This year, I fell down a creative rabbit hole and came up with two fabulous recipes for Cranberry Simple Syrup and Candied Cranberries.  After that, I could not stop my creative juices from flowing.  As such, I came up with 3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup.

Whether I am hosting dinner, a small gathering or a party, I will have at least one signature cocktail for guests.  If you prefer to have a variety of cocktails during your holiday dinner or party, my Cranberry Simple Syrup is a great base for three fantastic cocktails.  Each cocktail is not only made with a different spirit, but it should also be served in its own vessel.

Following are 3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup, my suggested garnishes and recommended cocktail glasses.

 

3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup

 

Cranberry Caipirinha

 

One of my favorite things about international travel is experiencing the cuisine.  The scent and taste of the food and drink always stays with me.  When I fall in love with a dish or drink from another country, I do my best to identify the ingredients to reengineer the native dishes at home.  If I am lucky, I will find a local to help with the recipe.  When I first tried Brazil’s Caipirinha,  I fell in love with the cocktail and immediately asked an expert how to make Brazil’s national cocktail.  The Caipirinha gets most of its flavor profile from Cachaça’s floral, grassy and herbaceous notes.  While a traditional Caipirinha only uses sugar, lime and ice as a mixer, my Cranberry Caipirinha recipe still honors the recipe’s traditional ingredients.  The Cranberry Caipirinha should be served in a low ball or old-fashioned glass and garnished with skewered Candied Cranberries.  Click here for the Cranberry Caipirinha recipe.

 

Cranberry Orange Margarita

 

Is it REALLY a party without a tequila based cocktail?  It’s not, in my opinion.  Any time I mention tequila in conversations, there is always one or two people that grimace.  They also have multiple stories to share about bad experiences with the Mexican liquor.  Tequila is a beautiful spirit.  Quality does matter and like any liquor, it should be drank in moderation.  While there are five types of tequilas, I stick to three: Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo.  A good rule of thumb is to make cocktails with a Reposado.  Añejo and Extra Añejo are also beautiful in cocktails, but some connoisseurs believe these two tequilas are best for sipping.  I do not have one absolute favorite tequila, however, I do enjoy using the following in cocktails: PATRÓN, Corralejo, Don Julio, 1800 and Herradura.

This Cranberry Orange Margarita cocktail is a tequila based cocktail.  That said, it can be served in a traditional Margarita glass.  However, I like serving it in a sexy coupe glass garnished with a Dried Orange Slice and skewered Candied Cranberries.  Click here for the Cranberry Orange Margarita recipe.

 

Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule

 

There is something incredibly festive about a mule cocktail.  I can’t pinpoint if its the beautiful copper mug that the cocktail is traditionally served in or the versatility of the cocktail.  I have tried a good amount of mules incorporating Mezcal, Tequila, Whiskey and Gin and none of them have disappointed me.  While my favorite mule is a Mezcal Mule, this Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule is made with Vodka.

Out of the 3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails, this Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule took the longest to create.   In addition to determining the exact ratio of the mixers in this cocktail, I also had to test several ginger beers in this recipe.  Although I enjoy different brands of ginger beers, not all are ideal contenders for this recipe.  Click here to read the full details of this Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule, including which ginger beer to use in the recipe.

Although some cocktails can pass getting served in any glass, a mule is not a mule unless served in a beautiful copper mug.   For an added festive touch, garnish this Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule with sliced oranges and skewered Candied Cranberries.

 

 

I hope that you enjoy these 3 Cranberry Holiday Cocktails with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup as much as I do!

Cranberry season may be short, but this simple syrup can be canned properly and used year-round.  Click here for the step by step details on how to make this Cranberry Simple Syrup.  Even though I have offered three recipes, the Cranberry Simple Syrup can be used to create many other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  Two ounces of Cranberry Simple Syrup mixed with six ounces of sparkling water makes a festive non-alcoholic drink.  The mixer can also jazz up a classic lemonade or iced tea.  These are just a few ideas of how the mixer can be used in other drinks.

In addition to this Cranberry Simple Syrup, my pantry is stocked with other simple syrups.  I love having them readily available to gift to friends and for impromptu cocktail nights.  If sterilized and canned properly, these simple syrups can be preserved for months.  One of my all time favorite cocktail mixers is my Homemade Grapefruit Simple Syrup recipe.  Click here for the step by step details.