Elevate your holiday gatherings with this Cranberry Bourbon Smash! Unleash the magic of fresh cranberries, bourbon, cinnamon syrup, and a citrusy kick. Shake things up and let the festive vibes flow
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Fresh Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a drink that embodies the spirit of festivities? Enter the Cranberry Bourbon Smash – a delightful and seasonal concoction that's perfect for both lively holiday gatherings and quiet, cozy evenings by the fireplace.
This exquisite blend of fresh cranberries, rich bourbon, cinnamon-infused simple syrup, and a splash of lemon juice promises to create a perfect harmony of flavors that will dance on your taste buds.
This cocktail is for all the people who have a desire to skip the cranberry cocktail juice and use fresh cranberries in your drink!
Fresh cranberries muddled create a wonderful flavor addition to bourbon and make a great sipping drink!
I like to garnish this cocktail with sugared cranberries making it as festive looking as it tastes.
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail Shaker
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring tools
- Hawthorne Strainer Affiliate Link + Fine Mesh Strainer Affiliate Link for a double strain
- Ice cubes
- Rocks glass
Bar Equipment
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Ingredients
- Bourbon - Use a good quality bourbon here, one you would enjoy sipping on, something with a little bit of a sweeter profile will pair well against the tart cranberries.
- Cranberries -Fresh or thawed from frozen.
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup - If you want more details on how to make it, simple click to learn more.
- Lemons - For fresh lemon juice
- Sugared Cranberries for a Garnish
Instructions
Make Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
Before you make your drink you will want to make some cinnamon simple syrup.
To prepare the cinnamon simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan. Add a couple of cinnamon sticks and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool before incorporating it into your cocktail. This is best made ahead of time.
Muddle the Cranberries:
Begin the creation of your Cranberry Bourbon Smash by adding the fresh cranberries to your shaker.
Add the Cinnamon Simple Syrup.
Gently muddle the cranberries to release their juicy goodness, the more they are muddle and broken down the more they will flavor the drink.
Add Bourbon:
Pour in 2 oz of your favorite bourbon.
Lemon Juice:
Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
Shake and Strain:
Fill your shaker with ice cubes, secure the lid, and shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This ensures that all the ingredients meld together.
Strain into Glass:
Double strain using a Hawthorne strainer Affiliate Link and a fine mesh strainer Affiliate Link for the best result. By double straining this drink you will catch all of the small cranberry seeds that get released.
Garnish (Optional):
For a visually appealing cocktail make a batch of sugared cranberries and add a few to a cocktail pick. This will be very impressive to any guests you are serving.
Optionally if you aren't making sugared cranberries place a cinnamon stick in the glass.
Serve and Enjoy:
Your Cranberry Bourbon Smash is now ready to be savored. Sip slowly and relish the unique blend of flavors that will undoubtedly evoke the cozy warmth of the season.
Tips, Tricks and Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes! Frozen cranberries make an excellent substitute for fresh ones. Just ensure they are thawed before muddling. (I tested this with thawed cranberries and I absolutely loved it, so if you have them use them!)
What makes a drink a smash?
A smash is a type of cocktail that typically consists of fresh fruit or juice, herbs, sugar, and spirits. The name "smash" comes from the idea of "smashing" or muddling the ingredients together to release their flavors.
If you like Cranberry Bourbon Smash you might also like:
- Gold Rush Cocktail
- Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail
Cranberry Bourbon Smash
A fresh Cranberry Bourbon Smash, a perfectly festive holiday drink featureing cranberries, bourbon, cinnamon cimple syrup, and lemon juice.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cranberries
- 1 ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- ¾ lemon juice
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Optional: Sugared Cranberries for Garnish
Instructions
- Add the cranberries and cinnamon simple syrup to the shaker. Muddle the cranberries well until they are very broken down, the more muddled the cranberries are the more the flavor will come across in the cocktail.
- Add the bourbon and lemon juice to the shaker along with a handful on ice. Cover the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Use a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass. If you are unable to double strain that is okay just note you might get a few cranberry seeds in the drink. Add ice to the cocktail and garnish with sugared cranberries.
Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Bring your saucepan over medium heat. Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir gently as the water heats up until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add three cinnamon sticks to the mixture, gently breaking them in half if your saucepan isn't large enough for full sticks. Allow it to gently simmer for 5 minutes (turn down the heat in needed). Keep a watchful eye to prevent boiling.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer it into a glass jar or bottle, you can remove the cinnamon stick if you are happy with the flavor or leave them in to continue infusing while it is stored. Makes about 12 ounces.
Notes
You can use cranberries that have been frozen in this drink you will just want to make sure they have thawed out before using them. I actually preferred using previously frozen cranberries in this drink, they seemed to seep more flavor since they are more mushy, so if you have them use them!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1 drinkAmount Per Serving: Calories: 714Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 189gFiber: 20gSugar: 156gProtein: 2g
Nutritional data is automated and might not be 100% accurate, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
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