This cranberry gin fizz is the perfect holiday cocktail! The bright red cranberries paired with the green thyme sprigs makes this festive cocktail guaranteed to spread joy. It’s fizzy, slightly botanical and has just the right amount of tang. The perfect combo!
This cranberry Christmas cocktail is popular from late November through January. The red and green color combination makes it especially festive! It is a great holiday cocktail to add to your Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s day.
If you’re in the mood for cozy holiday cocktails, I highly recommend my winter old fashioned, or chocolate peppermint martini. Both are great beverages to sip on while sitting fireside this winter.
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Why You Should Make This Cranberry Gin Cocktail
- It’s cute, festive and the perfect addition to any winter party!
- Gin and cranberry juice are an incredible duo of flavors.
- The homemade thyme simple syrup is what makes this drink so unique. You've got to give it a try!
Ingredient Notes
- Gin - use your favorite brand! I like to use Bombay Sapphire, Roku Japanese Gin or even Empress Gin for some added purple color.
- Thyme simple syrup - all you need is sugar, water and fresh sprigs of thyme.
- Cranberry juice - make sure to use 100% juice.
- Club soda - I like to buy the mini bottles from my local grocery store so it is easy to make individual drinks.
- Ice cubes - for a visually stunning cocktail try freezing cranberries into your ice cubes!
Substitutions and Variations
- Mock-tail - leave out the alcohol to make a light, botanical mock-tail.
- Vodka - swap in vodka instead of gin. Vodka has a more neutral flavor than gin which will allow the other flavors in the cocktail to shine through.
- Simple syrup - if you don’t like the flavor of thyme, you can leave it out and make regular simple syrup in the microwave instead.
- Cranberry seltzer - free free to use cranberry flavored seltzer instead of club soda for an extra boost of flavor
- Prosecco - add in a splash of prosecco (in place of club soda) for a slightly sweeter, boozier variation!
Step by Step Instructions
Make the thyme simple syrup. Combine sugar, water and fresh sprigs of thyme in a small saucepan. Bring it to a rapid simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Turn off the heat and let it stand for 15 minutes so the thyme infuses. Strain and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month.
Fill a glass about halfway with ice. Add the gin, thyme simple syrup and cranberry juice. Stir well.
Top it off with club soda. Give it another stir to combine the flavors. Garnish with sprigs of thyme and fresh cranberries. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
I like making the thyme simple syrup in advance either the day before or an hour before. It isn't necessary but it'll make things easier if you're making a few drinks!
Make sure the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature before adding to the drink. If it is not cool enough, it will cause the ice to melt faster in the cranberry thyme cocktail which will make it watered down.
How to Store
While I recommend making this cranberry gin fix to order, you can absolutely make it ahead of time. Make sure to leave out the club soda and ice if you want to make this in advance. Add ice and the club soda to the holiday cocktail right before serving it so it will be crispy and fizzy!
The thyme simple syrup will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. Store it in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes this cranberry gin fizz recipe does not require an egg. While egg whites can be used in a gin fizz it is not necessary in this holiday version.
Yes, this holiday cranberry cocktail can be made without the gin. I recommend adding another ounce or two of cranberry juice in place of the gin.
Cranberry Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz thyme simple syrup
- 1 ½ oz cranberry juice 100% juice
- 5 oz club soda
Instructions
- Combine sugar, water and fresh sprigs of thyme in a small saucepan. Bring it to a rapid simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved
- Turn off the heat and let it stand for 15 minutes so the thyme infuses. Strain and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month.
- Fill a glass about halfway full of ice. Add the gin, thyme simple syrup and cranberry juice. Stir well.
- Top with club soda and stir gently to mix together.
- Garnish with sprigs of thyme and fresh cranberries. Enjoy!
Notes
- I like making the thyme simple syrup in advance. It isn't necessary but it'll make things easier if you're making a few drinks! You can store the simple syrup in the fridge for up to one month.
- Make sure the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature before adding to the drink. If it is not cool enough, it will cause the ice to melt faster in the christmas cocktail which will make it watered down.
Kyle says
Some tang and not too sweet, the perfect holiday cocktail! 🍹
Emily Toshiko says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!