Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (2024)

ByLisa

Christmas Recipes Drinks Holiday Recipes Recipes

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This cranberry martini is fun holiday version of the vodka martini classic co*cktail. With a pretty red color and boozy cranberry taste, it’s an easy and delicious drink that you’ll want to make all season long!

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (1)

I love a good martini, especially for the Christmas. This Peppermint White Chocolate Martini is a hit at any holiday party but if you’re looking for a drink with all the classic holiday flavors, you can never go wrong with a delicious Cranberry Martini!

The sweet tart flavor pairs perfectly with all kinds of desserts and co*cktail recipes this time of year. This festive co*cktail starts with cranberry juice and vodka, then triple sec adds sweetness and a hint of orange flavor.

It’s also incredibly simple to make, so there’s no need to wait for a special occasion or a co*cktail party to enjoy one. Skip the pricey bars this holiday season and make this delicious cranberry martini recipe for a happy hour or an after-dinner drink any time you want.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Recipe

It’s Easy – With just a few simple ingredients and very little prep time, making this cranberry co*cktail is just as easy as pouring a glass of wine!

Perfect for the Holidays – The addition of festive cranberry flavor is a great way to turn a basic martini into the perfect holiday co*cktail.

Great for Parties – With its beautiful red color and a delicious sweet and tart flavor, this easy drink is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a great choice for your next party.

Ingredients

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (2)
  • Vodka
  • Triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
  • Cranberry juice
  • Ice
  • Sugar for the rim
  • Corn syrup for the rim
  • Sugared cranberries for garnish
  • Orange slices or fresh orange zest for garnish (optional)

How to Make Cranberry Martinis

Step 1: Add ice cubes and vodka to your co*cktail shaker.

Step 2: Add cranberry juice and triple sec. Shake well.

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (4)

Step 3: Pour a layer of sugar into a shallow saucer, then add a shallow layer of corn syrup to a second saucer. Dip the rim of the martini glasses into the corn syrup, then into the sugar.

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (5)

Step 4: Strain the co*cktail into a chilled martini glass and garnish with sugared cranberries. Optional – add an orange slice or additional fresh cranberries.

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (6)

Tips & Tricks

  • There are a variety of cranberry juice mixes (such as cranberry apple) that you can use in place of the plain cranberry juice. Or if you don’t have cranberry, pomegranate would also be delicious and is perfect for the holidays.
  • If you don’t have corn syrup, you can rim the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim of each glass before dipping it in the sugar.
  • You can buy a cranberry juice that has been sweetened with sugar or with other fruit juices like apple or pear. Just don’t use unsweetened cranberry juice in this recipe, as it will be too tart.
Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (7)

What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?

I used Pinnacle brand, but you can choose any mid-priced band of vodka that you prefer. A vanilla or cranberry vodka would also work in this recipe.

Can I Make these in Advance?

For best results, your co*cktails should be mixed well and chilled. I recommend serving them right out of the shaker, rather than trying to make them in advance.

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (8)

More Holiday Drinks

  • 12 Days of Christmas co*cktails
  • Peppermint Shot Recipe
  • Apple Cider Jello Shots
  • Vanilla Pomegranate Holiday Punch
  • Vanilla Spiced Eggnog
  • Grinch Punch
  • Christmas Jello Shots

Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (9)

5 from 1 vote

Cranberry Martini


Course Beverage, co*cktail

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

This cranberry martini, with it's pretty red color and boozy cranberry flavor, is the perfect easy co*cktail for all your holiday parties!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add ice cubes and vodka to your co*cktail shaker.

    2 oz. vodka, 1 cup Ice

  • Pour cranberry juice and triple sec over the ice, then shake well.

    2 oz. cranberry juice, ½ oz. triple sec

  • Pour a layer of sugar into a shallow saucer, then add a shallow layer of corn syrup to a second saucer. Dip the rim of the martini glasses into the corn syrup, then into the sugar.

    Sugar for the rim, Corn syrup for the rim

  • Strain the co*cktail into a chilled martini glass and garnish with sugared cranberries. Optional – add an orange slice or additional fresh cranberries.

    Sugared cranberries for garnish

Notes

  • Don’t have corn syrup? You can also rim the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim before dipping it in the sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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Classic Cranberry Martini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a vodka and cranberry drink called? ›

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of co*cktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink.

What alcohol goes well with cranberry? ›

Cranberry juice pairs best with orange juice and orange liqueur. In this recipe, we're pairing it with orange juice, so this co*cktail isn't too strong. Other great mixers are grapefruit juice and pineapple juice. As far as alcohol, it combines well with vodka, rum, gin, bourbon, whiskey, champagne, or red wine.

What's the difference between a cranberry martini and a Cosmopolitan? ›

The Martini has a strong, distinct flavour that is dominated by the botanical notes of the gin. The vermouth adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the drink. In contrast, the Cosmopolitan has a much lighter, sweeter flavour that is dominated by the fruit juices and triple sec.

What are the ingredients in ocean spray cranberry juice co*cktail? ›

FILTERED WATER, CRANBERRY JUICE (WATER, CRANBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE), SUGAR, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), VEGETABLE CONCENTRATE FOR COLOR.

What is the best vodka for vodka cranberry? ›

Corn vodka is the most popular type, known for its buttery, slightly sweet flavor profile and gentle finish. If we're talking cranberry co*cktails, the sweetness of corn vodka complements the tartness of cranberries, resulting in a harmonious balance.

What is the difference between a Cape Cod and a Sea Breeze? ›

The Cape Codder is one of a series of drinks featuring vodka and cranberry juice and named for nautical or coastal themes. The Sea Breeze, for example, combines vodka, cranberry and grapefruit juice, while the Bay Breeze is vodka, cranberry and pineapple juice.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

What does your drink say about you vodka cranberry? ›

Vodka Cranberry

These party animals like to dive straight in, and they don't mess around when it comes to having serious fun. These are the people who constantly want the music louder so they can dance on the tables.

What's the difference between cranberry and cranberry co*cktail? ›

Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.

What are the three types of martinis? ›

There are three main types of Martini: wet, dry and perfect. Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with botanicals, and it makes a Martini either sweet or dry, depending how much vermouth is used in the recipe. Wet means the drink is sweeter, so the ratio is normally 3:1.

What is a Dapper Martini? ›

The Dapper Martini at Eddie V's Prime Seafood is all about the drink's classic preparation. Its spare ingredients list adds to the appeal. It has nothing to hide, with three ounces gin or vodka and one half ounce dry vermouth. It's served shaken and icy cold.

What makes a drink considered a Martini? ›

What Is a Martini? The Martini is a classic co*cktail that has been ordered, mixed, and served all over the globe for many, many years. A classic Martini is made from gin and vermouth and garnished with either an olive or lemon twist. It has a reputation as one of the most popular mixed alcoholic drinks in the world.

Is it OK to drink Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Everyday? ›

Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes. In the past, it was believed that cranberry juice can slow the growth of bacteria and therefore is useful in treating urinary tract infections.

Is cranberry juice good for urinary health? ›

Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent bacteria from sticking on the walls of the bladder. This may help reduce bladder and other urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries (usually as cranberry juice) have been used to try and treat UTIs, particularly in high risk groups such as older people.

What is the sweetener in Ocean Spray cranberry juice? ›

Our Light Juice Drinks are sweetened with sucralose so they have just 50 calories and 10 grams of sugar.

How to order a vodka cran at a bar? ›

Ordering Drinks: Modifiers

If you've hung around in bars much, you've probably heard someone ask for a “Whiskey and co*ke” or “Gin and Tonic” or “Vodka Cranberry”. These are you Liquor and Mixers. First you name the liquor (Vodka, Rum, Gin, etc.), then you name the mixer (co*ke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic, etc..).

What is another name for the Cape Cod drink? ›

Of course, New Englanders proudly called it the Cape Codder or the Cape Cod. In Miami and Palm Beach, it was known as the Bog-Fog.

What does cranberry juice with vodka do? ›

Vodka is a low calorie alcohol choice and cranberry juice touts serious health perks; put them together and you've got one tasty drink. Cranberry juice helps fight off cardiovascular diseases, works as an anti-inflammatory in the body, and can even help improve skin.

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