25 Deliciously Refreshing Cranberry Cocktails for Holiday Parties

Sandra Walker

October 20, 2025

Giving you a reason to get festive during the holiday season, these delectable cranberry cocktails are sure to impress. Not only are they a delightful combination of flavors and colors, but they also add a personal touch to any gathering or celebration. The tartness of the cranberries pairs perfectly with the sweetness of other ingredients, making them an ideal addition to your favorite cocktails.

Whether you’re in the mood for something classic like margaritas and mimosas or prefer a more adventurous drink like sangrias and mojitos, this list has got you covered.

Cranberry Mojitos

Cranberry Mojitos

Raising the bar with festive cocktails has never been easier than with this vibrant cranberry mojito recipe. Requiring only a few simple ingredients, you’ll be sipping on this refreshing drink in no time. The perfect blend of sweet, tart, and minty flavors will transport you to a tropical paradise without breaking a sweat.

Don’t let the name fool you – creating this cocktail requires minimal bartending skills, as it’s surprisingly easy to prepare with just cranberry syrup, lime juice, white rum, and fresh mint.

Cranberry Margarita

Cranberry Margarita

Bringing a touch of festive cheer to your holiday celebrations, this cranberry margarita is a game-changer. Its popularity was evident at our New Year’s Eve party last year, where it was served as the official cocktail and received rave reviews from our guests. While traditional lime-flavored margaritas will always hold a special place in my heart, this unique twist on a classic recipe truly stands out.

The combination of cranberry flavor and a hint of rosemary, garnished with fresh berries, is nothing short of blissful.

Sea Breeze Cocktail

Sea Breeze Cocktail

Pour yourself a glass of sea breeze, a revitalizing cocktail that embodies the essence of summertime fun. Popularized in the 1980s and still adored today, it’s easy to see why this refreshing concoction has become a beloved classic. The perfect blend of vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice creates a taste experience that will transport you to a tropical paradise with every sip.

If you’re missing the beach just a little too much, one glass of sea breeze is all it takes to recapture some of that carefree spirit and nostalgia.

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Hoping to elevate the classic Moscow Mule, let’s infuse it with some sweet and tangy cranberry goodness. A traditional Moscow Mule typically consists of a combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, garnished with a slice of lime. This classic cocktail boasts a rich malt flavor and a hint of citrus from the lime, all wrapped up in a warm, spicy blanket of ginger beer.

However, when you add a splash of cranberry juice to the mix, not only does the color change, but so do the flavors – resulting in a delightful twist on the original that still retains its classic appeal.

Cranberry Mimosa

Cranberry Mimosa

Step into the world of effortless entertaining with our cranberry mimosa recipe, which tastes as good as it looks. This delightful drink is a snap to make, requiring just three ingredients and less than five minutes of preparation time.

The Blizzard Cocktail

The Blizzard Cocktail

Adding a twist to your traditional bourbon cocktail repertoire is a must-try for any aficionado. The harmonious blend of cranberry juice, bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup results in an exceptionally delicious concoction. While some cocktails can be overpowering and taste medicinal, this mix stands out for its exceptional balance of flavors.

By striking the perfect equilibrium between sweetness and tartness, this refreshing drink allows the subtle nuances of the bourbon to shine through, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Vodka Cranberry Cocktail

Vodka Cranberry Cocktail

Gathering flavors from across the globe, this cocktail is an expertly crafted blend of vodka, cranberry juice, orange, and lime juices. While the base ingredients might sound simple, the addition of these citrus elements creates a harmonious balance between sweet and tart.Its bold yet refreshing flavor profile makes it a standout drink that’s neither too sour nor overwhelming in its taste, but rather offers a delightful experience with each sip.

Bay Breeze Cocktail

Bay Breeze Cocktail

Wrapped in a refreshing package, the bay breeze cocktail is a delightful twist on its sea breeze counterpart. While retaining the vodka and cranberry juice combo, it swaps out the grapefruit for pineapple juice, resulting in a sweeter yet still tantalizingly tart blend that will leave your taste buds craving another sip.

Madras Cocktail

Madras Cocktail

Cranberry Zombie Cocktail

Cranberry Zombie Cocktail

Reflecting on my past experiences, I recall attempting to steer clear of zombie cocktails when I was younger. Fortunately, over time, I discovered that moderation is the key, and these cocktails can be enjoyable in small doses! The cranberry zombie, in particular, is a delightful concoction made from a combination of cranberry juice, lime juice, sugar, and three types of rum. Given its potent blend, it’s natural to assume that the zombie cocktail is too strong for most people.

However, as long as you drink responsibly, you’ll find that it’s actually quite enjoyable and can be a wonderful addition to your social gatherings.

Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Cranberry Gin and Tonic

Honestly, simplicity can be the key to creating something truly exceptional, as demonstrated by this gin and tonic recipe that showcases the perfect harmony of flavors. By combining gin with cranberry juice, lime juice, and tonic water, you get a refreshing drink that’s far from ordinary. The sweetness of the cranberry perfectly balances out the tartness of the lime, resulting in an extraordinary taste experience that’s nothing short of a culinary masterpiece.

While the cocktail itself may appear somewhat dull at first glance, adding a few fresh cranberries to the mix instantly adds a pop of color and elevates its visual appeal.

Cranberry Rosemary Champagne Cocktail

Cranberry Rosemary Champagne Cocktail

Happily, for those who prefer a balanced cocktail experience, this recipe offers an ideal solution. The flavor profile of the champagne cocktail is remarkably well-rounded, with sweet notes complemented by zesty citrus and tart berries, all tied together with warming cinnamon. What’s more, the drink’s stunning ombre red hue adds to its visual appeal, making it a beautiful addition to any festive gathering or Christmas celebration.

To enhance the overall aesthetic, simply add some fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs to the glass, completing the holiday look and inviting atmosphere.

Washington Apple

Washington Apple

Often, we think that certain ingredients just naturally go together, and for apples and cranberries, it’s a match made in heaven. This Washington Apple cocktail is a prime example of this perfect pairing. Whiskey, apple liqueur, and cranberry juice are combined to create the ultimate fall cocktail, with its sweet and tangy flavors blending together in harmony to produce one heck of a tasty autumn drink that’s sure to become a favorite.

Cranberry Sauce Bourbon Cocktail

Cranberry Sauce Bourbon Cocktail

Wrapped up in a festive spirit, this recipe is an ingenious way to breathe new life into Thanksgiving’s cranberry sauce leftovers. The harmonious combination of cranberry sauce and bourbon at the bottom creates a rich foundation, while the effervescent ginger beer on top adds a delightful contrast. The sweetness of the sauce and the warmth from the ginger beer complement each other beautifully, making this drink truly special.

You can enjoy the chunky texture of the cranberries as is, or if you prefer a smoother experience, simply puree the ingredients with ice to create a refreshing cocktail slushie.

Cranberry Whiskey Sour

Cranberry Whiskey Sour

Juicing up the classic whiskey sour cocktail involves adding a few key ingredients. The traditional recipe consists of whiskey, simple syrup, lemon juice, and ice, which creates a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors. To put a seasonal spin on this timeless drink, a splash of cranberry juice is added to give it a fruity twist reminiscent of the Thanksgiving holidays.

Whether you prefer your cocktail neat or served over ice, the whiskey sour with cranberry is sure to be a refreshing addition to any gathering.

Cranberry Apple Sangria

Cranberry Apple Sangria

Filling your home with the warm and cozy aromas of fall is easier than ever thanks to this delicious cranberry apple sangria recipe. Flavored with a medley of autumnal spices including cloves, cinnamon, and oranges, it’s sure to become a new favorite drink for the season. Fancying up this sweet and spicy combination is a splash of pinot grigio, but feel free to substitute club soda for a kid-friendly version that’s just as tasty.

Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail

Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail

Kick off the holiday season with a twist on traditional cocktails by trying out this refreshing cranberry orange bourbon concoction.

Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy

Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy

Revive your senses with the perfect wintertime refresher: the spiced cranberry hot toddy. Typically crafted with bourbon, hot water, and honey, the classic hot toddy is a tried-and-true remedy for warding off winter’s chill. However, its inherent warmth can be enhanced by infusing it with additional flavors. Enter the cranberry-flavored twist, where the sweet and tart notes of this fruit elevate the drink to new heights, making it an even cozier companion during the colder months.

Cranberry Vodka Punch

Cranberry Vodka Punch

Taking center stage at any social gathering or festive occasion, this cranberry vodka punch is an unbeatable choice. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, New Year’s celebrations to the 4th of July fireworks, its versatility knows no bounds. Simply gather four essential ingredients and one spacious bowl, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a truly remarkable drink.

With a harmonious blend of vodka, ginger ale, cranberry juice, and lemonade, this punch is sure to impress even the most discerning palates.

Poinsettia

Poinsettia

Beyond the realm of beautiful flowers, there’s a delightful cocktail that shares the name ‘champagne’. This refreshing drink is a harmonious blend of champagne, cranberry juice, and Cointreau – an orange-flavored liqueur. Beyond its alluring color, it’s the subtle sweetness that will leave your taste buds singing with joy.

20 Festive Cranberry Cocktails

Fancy cocktails made with cranberries are a delightful treat for the eyes and taste buds. Featuring an array of festive drinks such as mojitos, margaritas, and mimosas, they’re sure to be enjoyed regardless of the season or occasion.

Instructions

Instructions

Picking out a tried-and-true recipe is an excellent starting point, followed by gathering every necessary ingredient to avoid last-minute trips to the store. To ensure that everything comes together seamlessly, take some time to prep a delicious cranberry cocktail – it’s quicker than you think and can be ready in 30 minutes or less!

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