Cranberry Spritzer

Celebrate the holiday season with a refreshing Cranberry Spritzer! This easy holiday recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday festivities. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply looking to enjoy a festive drink, this cranberry spritzer is sure to impress. 

cranberry spritzer with a cherry and rosemary garnish

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Bursting with the vibrant flavors of fresh cranberries and a hint of sweetness, it will leave your taste buds craving for more. Get ready to spread holiday cheer at your next holiday party with this delicious and festive cocktail!

What is a Cranberry Spritzer?

A cranberry spritzer is a refreshing and festive beverage that is perfect for the holiday season. Made with a combination of cranberry juice, sparkling water, and a hint of citrus, this drink strikes a delightful balance between sweet and tangy flavors.

It’s a popular choice among both adults and kids, as it can be enjoyed as a non-alcoholic option or mixed with a splash of vodka for those looking for a little kick. 

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Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply want to treat yourself to a flavorful drink, the cranberry spritzer is a surefire way to spread cheer and brighten up any occasion.

spritzer in a glass with text delicious cranberry spritzer recipe

What to Serve with a Cranberry Spritzer

This drink recipe can be served with many different dishes. I love to meal plan and here’s what I usually serve with this refreshing drink:

Appetizer: Mini Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Glaze

Main Course: Cheesy Spinach Quiche with Cherry Tomatoes and Stuffed Shells

Side Dish: Roasted Mediterranean Potatoes

Dessert: Cranberry Crisp Bars

Specialty Ingredients

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Remember, these aren’t all the ingredients you need to make this Cranberry Spritzer, just the ones that might be a little hard to find. 

How to Make a Cranberry Spritzer Mocktail

To make this drink recipe into a mocktail, simply skip adding in vodka in the juice mixture. You don’t need to add anything additional to it to make up for it!

Recipe Tips and Variations

This recipe is best made a day in advance. This lets all the flavors blend together so you get the most out of your holiday drink. If you don’t have time to make it advance, make sure you have a few hours 

a glass of cranberry spritzer with ice cubes

The best way to serve this drink is in champagne flutes. I like to fill them with about 1/3 of the juice and then top the glasses with sparkling water. You can garnish with a little rosemary sprig, fresh cranberries, lime slices or even cinnamon sticks! If you’d like the drink a little sweeter, you could add in a little more honey to the glass. 

If you’re serving this at a party, you could fill a punch bowl or large pitcher with the sparkling water and the juice mix and guests can help themselves. The only thing with this method is that the fuzziness of the sparkling water will be lost over time.

cranberry spritzer with fresh cranberries

Alternatively, you could add the sparkling water to each glass individually before pouring in the juice mix. This will help retain the fizziness of the sparkling water, but it may take a bit more time and effort on your part.

If you like really chilly drinks, freeze some of the juice mix into ice cubes and use those to cool your drink. 

overhead of a glass of spritzer

Best Holiday Drinks

Craving more fun holiday cocktails? Here are some of the best holiday drinks:

Cranberry Spritzer

a glass of cranberry spritzer with ice cubes
This delightful beverage is a delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. Here, the classic flavor combination of cranberry, orange, and cinnamon is complemented by the unexpected addition of cumin. Add a little vodka for a fun adults-only treat, or skip it for a pleasant mocktail everyone can enjoy. Cheers! 
Ali Van Straten
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

  • 1/4 c. honey

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 T whole cumin seeds

  • 4 cinnamon sticks

  • 3 cup unsweetened cranberry juice

  • 2 medium organic oranges each cut into 8 wedges

  • 3 cups sparkling water
  • optional: 1/2 cup vodka

Instructions

  • Add cranberries, honey, water, cumin seeds, and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the honey is melted and the spices are intensely fragrant.
  • Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass or other non-reactive bowl. Add cranberry juice, orange wedges, and vodka, if using. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight.
  • Once thoroughly chilled, remove from refrigerator and firmly squeeze each orange wedge into the bowl to capture the juice before discarding. Strain mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
  • To serve, fill serving glasses with ice and add enough of the seasoned cranberry juice mixture to fill each glass about 1/3 full. Top off each glass with sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and sweeten with additional honey, if desired. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and/or rosemary skewers and serve immediately. 

Notes

Add a garnish of extra cinnamon sticks, or 6 long rosemary sprigs, lower leaves removed, and threaded with fresh cranberries

Author

  • Ali Van Straten

    Ali Van Straten is the founder and journalist of Champagne and Coffee Stains. She is a Peloton expert, certified running coach and certified nutrition coach. Champagne and Coffee Stains provides information and resources on Peloton Interactive, running and recipes.

    View all posts https://www.champagneandcoffeestains.com

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