Cranberry Gin Cocktail

The Cranberry Gin Cocktail is smooth, refreshing and a delicious addition to your holiday menu. Sweet and tangy cranberry juice is perfectly complemented with the fruity gin. Gorgeous and sophisticated, this elegant cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve!

Looking for more festive cocktails for the holiday season? Whip up a batch of Cranberry Mojitos, Cranberry Moscow Mule or this Vodka Cranberry Cocktail!

Gin Cranberry Cocktail

Cranberries are one of our favorite ingredients for fall and winter and grace our table and drinks throughout the extended holiday season. This simple to prepare Gin Cranberry Cocktail is a lovely option to serve with appetizers or at the holiday dinner table.

This recipe is written for two but can easily be doubled, tripled or whatever you need to make it for a larger group. Feel free to prepare in a pitcher or punch bowl to serve a crowd.

You’ll love the tanginess the cranberry juice and fresh squeezed lemon juice add to this cocktail. For a fun twist, try limes instead of lemons – I love it both ways!

This easy cocktail is a great way to relax and unwind during the long holiday season.

Make it a Mocktail Instead

Make a mocktail version of the Cranberry Gin Cocktail by skipping the gin (or use a nonalcoholic version) and add an extra splash of club soda to the mix.

Why I Love This Cranberry Cocktail

• The flavors! It’s a beautiful blend of sweet and tart – it’s like fall in a cup!
• Smooth and crisp. The gin blends so well with the cranberry juice and it’s so smooth you won’t even notice so sip responsibly! 
• You can make a single serving or a whole batch. This recipe is easy to increase so you can make a pitcher or several rounds for guests. Of course it’s also quick and easy to make just one for yourself. No muddling or extensive steps required.

More Cranberry Recipes To Try

1. Cranberry Fluff
2. Cranberry Bars
3. Crockpot Cranberry Citrus Apple Cider
4. Cranberry Sauce
5. Cranberry Orange Scones

Cranberry Gin Cocktail Ingredients

This crisp cranberry cocktail is an absolute delight! As always, you can find the full printable recipe with complete instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need…

For the Cocktail

• ice – For that perfectly chilled cocktail.
• gin – Use your favorite brand.
• lemon juice or lime juice – just a bit to really perk up the flavor profile of this cranberry cocktail.
• simple syrup – this adds the right amount of sweetness to the cocktail. The cranberry and lemon juice are very tart so you need the simple syrup to balance the flavors.
• cranberry juice – I like to opt for just the classic cranberry juice, but you could try a blend if you want to shake things up. Cranapple would be a great option!
• club soda – you can also use soda water, seltzer, sparkling water or ginger ale interchangeably in this recipe.

To Garnish

• cranberries – fresh or frozen work. Just a few to add a pop of color.
• lemon or lime – slices or wedges.
• mint sprigs – adds a bit of freshness and flair to this festive holiday cranberry cocktail.

How To Make Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is easily made and is great to have on hand for cocktails. You can make as much or as little as you like. Here’s how to make simple syrup:

1. Combine equal amounts of water and granulated sugar in saucepan and stir to combine. I frequently do 1 cup of each or 2 cups of each if I want to have some on hand for future drinks.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir just a few minutes or until sugar has dissolved.
3. Remove pan from heat and let cool.
4. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

How To Make a Cranberry Gin Cocktail

1. Fill each glass with ice and then add the gin.
2. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
3. Top with the simple syrup.
4. Add the cranberry juice and top with the club soda. Stir to combine.
5. Garnish each cocktail with fresh or frozen cranberries and a fresh sprig of mint.
6. Serve immediately!

Storage Information

As this recipe only makes two cocktails, you’ll likely not need to store it. Fresh is best!

However, If you are making a larger batch, mix in a pitcher and forgo the ice until ready to serve. Chill in the fridge for a few hours then pour over ice and add the cranberry and mint garnish.

Trish’s Tips and Tricks

• Fresh mint leaves can add a hint of flavor but try other herbs too such as basil or rosemary.
• Lemon and limes are interchangeable in this recipe so use whichever you prefer.
• You can make a mocktail version by skipping the gin (or use a nonalcoholic version) and adding a splash of club soda to the mix.
• You can make large batches of this drink for parties, just keep the ratio of ingredients the same when increasing their amounts!
• Taste test before serving and add more simple syrup if needed.

More Holiday Drinks

1. Vodka Cranberry
2. Mulled Wine
3. Cranberry Moscow Mule
4. Christmas Punch
5. Midori Sour
6. Cranberry Mojitos

How To Make Cranberry Gin Cocktail