Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail that’s flavorful, perfectly sweet (but not overly sweet), and has just the right amount of ginger beer kick! The tart cranberry and acidic orange juice are balanced by sweet, warm bourbon, the depth of bitters, and fizzy ginger beer. Make this easy cocktail for a drink that’s full of festive holiday cheer!
Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail
Whether you’re looking for a festive cocktail to wind down with, a fun drink for the winter, or a holiday punch that you can serve at parties and gatherings, this Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail is always a favorite!
There are 2 methods for making this drink recipe: the single-serving cocktail method (which can also make 2 servings), or the holiday punch method (which serves 4). Both methods are easy, flavorful, and perfect for the season!
RELATED: Spiced Cranberry Gin Fizz
Ingredients
Cranberry Syrup
- Granulated Sugar
- Water
- Cranberries
Cocktail
- Cranberry Syrup
- Oranges
- Bourbon
- Angostura Bitters
- Ice
- Chilled Ginger Beer
RELATED: How Much Is a Dash of Bitters?
How to Make a Cranberry Orange Cocktail (2 Methods)
Both of the methods for this Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail recipe are quick and easy to make! The single-serving drink method can also be doubled to make 2 drinks, if desired. However, the amount of cranberry syrup in both methods in the same and makes 4 servings total!
Method 1: Single-Serving Drink
- Make the cranberry syrup.
- Muddle the cooled cranberry syrup and oranges in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, bourbon, and bitters.
- Shake together!
- Pour into a glass filled with ice and add ginger beer.
Since this method leaves leftover cranberry syrup, feel free to place the leftovers in a mason jar and store in the fridge for a future cocktail!
Method 2: Holiday Punch
- Make the cranberry syrup.
- Muddle the cooled cranberry syrup and oranges in a large mixing glass.
- Pour into a punch bowl or pitcher.
- Mix in the bourbon and bitters, then chill in the fridge.
- When ready to serve, add in ice and ginger beer!
Tips/Garnish Ideas
- The cranberry syrup is almost like a sauce! It’s very thick and has big pieces of cranberries in it.
- This cocktail is sweet, but not overly sweet. Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the cranberry syrup to taste!
- Strain to taste – feel free to fully strain the drink, or leave in some of the cranberry syrup and muddled orange slices/peel.
- This recipe is made with bourbon, but it also works great with gin!
- Don’t have ginger beer on hand? Ginger ale works as well (although it’s less flavorful)!
- Garnish with fresh thyme, fresh cranberries, orange peel twist, or orange slices.
- You can also garnish with rosemary a sugared cranberries for a fun, festive idea!
More Holiday Drinks You’ll Love
- Chocolate Espresso Martini
- Maple Pecan Latte
- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
- Crockpot Hot Chocolate
- Blackberry Mint Mojito
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Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
Cranberry Syrup (makes enough for 4 drinks)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup cranberries
Cocktail Method (makes 1 cocktail)
- 2 ounces Cranberry Syrup
- 1/2 large orange cut into quarters
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2-4 dashes Angostura bitters
- ice
- 2 ounces chilled ginger beer
Punch Method (makes 4 cocktails)
- 8 ounces Cranberry Syrup
- 2 large oranges cut into quarters
- 8 ounces bourbon
- 8-12 dashes Angostura bitters
- ice
- 8 ounces chilled ginger beer
Instructions
Make the Cranberry Syrup
- Whisk the granulated sugar, water, and fresh cranberries together in a medium pot over medium heat until the cranberries begin to soften and pop.
- Remove from heat, lightly mash the cranberries, and set aside.
Cocktail Method
- Muddle the cooled cranberry syrup and orange quarters together in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill with ice, then add in the bourbon and bitters.
- Shake vigorously.
- Fill a glass with ice and use a spoon to semi-strain the drink as you pour.
- Add ginger beer to the glass, garnish, and enjoy!
Punch Method
- Muddle the cooled cranberry syrup and orange quarters in a large mixing glass.
- Pour the mixture into a punch bowl or pitcher, straining out to the desired consistency (or leave it all in – your choice).
- Stir in the bourbon and bitters, then chill in the refrigerator.
- When to ready to serve, add in the ice and ginger beer.
- Garnish the punch as a whole or individual glasses, enjoy!
I loved the flavor combination of cranberry, orange, and ginger beer. My guests said it tastes like the holidays in liquid form!
Amazing combinations. This drink will make my day festive. I am drooling with your presentation.
This was delicious and refreshing. Loved the flavor from the cranberry syrup – I’d be happy with that in club soda too! A great drink that tastes fantastic.
Sent this recipe right to my husband (he makes all our cocktails) because it sounds AMAZING! I love the cranberry-orange combination!
We made these cocktails for a friend dinner and they were a huge hit! Great cranberry ginger flavors!
So glad you enjoyed this cocktail recipe, Kim! Thanks for giving it a try!
What a lovely cocktail. So bright and festive! Love that you made the syrup. Aldo yhe berries on top really make this a show stopper!
Well done! May need to get the punch bowl out!
This is such a refreshing cocktail! I love the ginger beer as it adds a little spice. Making this again for happy hour 🙂
This drink is beautiful! Now if only I weren’t pregnant.. saving this recipe for the week after I get back from the hospital 😉
I e made this drink for new years and it was so good! I’ve had cranberry margarita before but I think I like it with bourbon even more!