Festive Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
This easy vodka cranberry cocktail (Cape Cod) is a festive holiday favorite! Mix vodka, cranberry juice, and lime for a bright Christmas party drink.
You may also love my cranberry sangria and Chambord and Prosecco recipes.
During the holidays, an easy cocktail with cranberry juice is always on my list. My vodka cranberry cocktail is super simple, looks pretty, and works for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the way through New Year’s.
This version uses cranberry juice and vodka, fresh lime juice, and homemade simple syrup. You can shake a single drink, mix a pitcher for a holiday party, or turn it into a mocktail for guests who are skipping alcohol.
How To Make Simple Syrup
I like to prep the simple syrup ahead of time so it has time to chill.
Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar to a small saucepan. Cook it over low to medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves and the liquid looks clear. When the sugar has fully dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Pour the cooled syrup into a jar with a lid and place it in the refrigerator. It will be ready to use once it is cold. This simple syrup sweetens the vodka cranberry cocktail without leaving grainy sugar at the bottom of the glass.
How To Make A Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
Here is how I like to mix one drink in a shaker.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and pour in the cranberry juice, vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice.
Give it a good shake for several seconds. Strain the cocktail into a small cocktail glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge or lime slice and a few whole cranberries. If you want a more festive drink for the holiday season, add sugared cranberries and a small sprig of rosemary on top.
Make a Pitcher of Vodka Cranberry Cocktails
For holiday gatherings, mix a pitcher instead of making one drink at a time. Start by scaling up the ingredients based on how many guests you’ll be serving.
Then stir the cranberry juice, vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice together in a large pitcher, then chill. Serve guests in individual glasses with ice.
Tips And Ingredient Swaps
- Adjust the ingredient ratio. For a stronger drink, use a little more vodka and a little less simple syrup. For a sweeter drink, add a touch more simple syrup.
- Swap the sweetener. You can use soda in place of the simple syrup. Try ginger ale, Sprite, or 7-Up.
- Make a mocktail. Skip the alcohol and mix cranberry juice, simple syrup, lime juice, and club soda.
- Make it bubbly. Top the drink with some prosecco, champagne, club soda, or carbonated water before serving.
Storage
This vodka and cranberry juice cocktail is best enjoyed right after preparation. Store leftover simple syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for about one to two weeks. Keep leftover cranberry and lime juice in the fridge.
More Holiday Drink Recipes
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How to Video
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Cocktail
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 ½ ounces simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, (juice from ½ medium lime)
Instructions
To Make the Simple Syrup
- Add the water and granulated sugar to a small saucepan and stir.1 cup water1 cup granulated sugar
- Heat over low to medium heat, while stirring, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture looks clear.
- Remove from the heat, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer to a jar and chill until cold.
To Make the Cocktail
- Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
- Add the cranberry juice, vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice.3 ounces cranberry juice1 ½ ounces vodka1 ½ ounces simple syrup½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Seal the shaker and shake until the outside feels cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge and cranberries.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
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We’d Love If You’d Rate It Leave a Review!Meet Kimberly
Hi, I’m Kimberly Vargo! Comfort food is at the heart of everything I make like easy dinners and sides to desserts, cocktails, and condiments. A lot of my inspiration comes from old family recipes, personal favorites, and vintage cookbooks.
