Cranberry Vodka Spritzer is a fun and festive holiday drink to get everyone in the spirit! With vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, a splash of seltzer, an easy cranberry simple syrup, and sugared cranberries.
Have you ever done a white elephant gift exchange? It is a fun game you play with your family, friends, or coworkers during Christmas. Each person brings a wrapped gift with a determined monetary value. Then each person receives a number that determines who goes first, second, and so on. The first person unwraps the gift. But hopefully, they don’t get too attached to the gift because it may get stolen. The second person can either choose a new gift to unwrap or steal the first person’s gift. If there is a desirable gift it may get stolen several times throughout the game. It is a fun game to play during the holidays and would be extra fun while drinking some Cranberry Spritzers!
Ingredients
How to Make Cranberry Simple Syrup and Sugared Cranberries
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir and heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add in the cranberries. Cook for approximately 5 minutes.
- Take the cranberries out of the syrup using a slotted spoon.
- Gently toss cranberries in coarse sugar ( I like to sugar rim my glasses first then use the leftover sugar to coat the cranberries). String 3-4 sugared cranberries through each cocktail pick.
- The liquid in the saucepan is now cranberry simple syrup and will be used in the cocktail.
How to Make a Cranberry Spritzer
Sugar Rimmed Glass
- Dip the rim of each glass in water than spin the rim into the coarse sugar.
Assemble the Drink
- Fill the glasses about halfway with ice.
- First, pour 1 shot of vanilla vodka into each glass. Next, pour in cranberry juice followed by a spoonful of simple syrup. Then a splash of seltzer water.
- Finish with a sprig of rosemary and some sugared cranberries for the garnish. I love how the sugared cranberries and rosemary spring adds an extra festive element and I love the touch of rosemary flavor you get while drinking!
Variations
If vanilla vodka is not available, you can use regular vodka. I made my husband this drink with gin and he loved it both with vanilla vodka and with gin.
Storage
Store leftover sugared cranberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For leftover cranberry simple syrup, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Products Used/Similar Products
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More Cocktails
Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
Equipment
- small saucepan
- lowball or short glasses
- 2 small bowls or plates
- cocktail picks
Ingredients
Cranberry Simple Syrup and Sugared Cranberries
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2-3 tbsp coarse sugar
For each Drink
- 1 shot vanilla vodka
- ½ cup cranberry juice
- 1 spoonful cranberry simple syrup
- 1 splash seltzer water
- fresh rosemary spring and sugared cranberries garnish
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium-low heat. Stir and heat until the sugar is dissolved.Once dissolved, add cranberries. Cook for approximately 5 minutes. (The cranberries will be used for garnish and the syrup will be used in the drink).
- Pour coarse sugar into one small bowl then pour a small amount of water into the other. Dip each rim of the glass first in water then spin into the coarse sugar.
- Remove the cranberries out of the saucepan using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the bowl of coarse sugar. Gently roll the cranberries through the sugar to coat (add more sugar if needed).String 3-4 sugared cranberries through a cocktail pick.
Assemble the Drinks
- Fill glasses about half full of ice. Pour into each glass; vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and a splash of seltzer water. Garnish with a spring of rosemary and sugared cranberries. Serve.
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