Sweet, spicy and flavorful, this large batch Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktail will be the sip of the season at your very merry holiday cocktail celebration.
So, why was Rudolph’s nose really red? I think it was too many holiday cocktails. Makes sense right? It’s hard not to imbibe when you’re surrounded with boozy hot chocolate, brandy-infused candy cane eggnog and these wonderful Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktails.
This is BY FAR my favorite holiday cocktail recipe. It’s colorful, festive and absolutely mouth-watering and delicious….which can be dangerous. There is nothing more fun than infusing flavors of the season into the bar menu. In fact, the Happy Elf Cocktail and these Pumpkin Pie Martinis might also add to the merry.
I think the magic is in the spiced simple syrup, it encompasses what the holidays should taste like; sweet, spicy, flavorful.
I guarantee a homerun when you start your party off with a pitcher of these. And the simple syrup can be made a day ahead, so no last minute rushing!!
The simple syrup is made in a large saucepan on the stove to help dissolve the sugar.
Red sanding sugar adds a decorative touch to the rim of your glasses.
I like garnishing the glasses with cranberries for a festive touch.
Enjoy these festive cocktails throughout the season!
If you are looking for other seasonal cocktail recipes these very GREEN Glowing Geckoes are the perfect drink for a Grinch themed party. If blue and festive for Hanukkah is what you need, these Hpnotiq Breeze beauties are going to fit the bill. Christmas Sangria is always a good idea as far as I’m concerned. This Gingerbread Latte Martini sounds and looks like dessert. And raise your hand if you need an Eggnog Mudslide this season.
Two years ago I made these Italian Cookies and they are STILL the best Christmas Cookies around.
Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 3 cups water
- 1-1/2 cups vodka, divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise pod
- fresh cranberries
- red sanding sugar
- orange juice
Directions
- In a large saucepan combine the water, cranberry juice cocktail, sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise and whole cloves; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the spices and cool completely. This may be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated, which is perfect since it can get nice and cold.
- Dip the rim of your glasses in some extra cranberry juice and then in red sanding sugar for a decorative touch. Put cranberries on festive toothpicks and freeze for garnish.
- To a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, add ½ cup of spiced-cranberry simple syrup, ¼ cup vodka and a splash of orange juice. Shake and strain into martini glasses and garnish with frozen cranberry skewers.
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Lisa Jerrier says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 11:58 amBy the time December arives we are Turkeyed out so we do BEEF,Prime rib fancy dinner all the fixings. My daughter (26) will Love this drink
Susan at The Spice Garden says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 12:34 pmThese cocktails looks so festive … and def tasty! Like New Year’s Eve ordered up! Happy Holidays! Salut!
Banana Wonder says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 6:43 pmMmmmmmm I love the cranberry and spice! I will have to make this – yum!
Shirley L says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:54 pmYUMMY!!! This drink not only sounds delicious they are beautiful too!
Pam says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 8:10 pmGorgeous. We tried a Cranberry Margarita…not worth the effort…at least with the recipe we had. We all thought we would love them since we love cranberry limeades. But this looks amazing.
Rachel the SdOC says
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 8:19 pmYum! This is like the best kind of homemade cranberry sauce made into a cocktail!
the urban baker says
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 2:59 pmI love cranberries and who could turn down a martini? Not I. This looks mouth watering!
Suzy says
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 9:27 pmWow this looks amazing! I love the idea of a spiced winter drink that is served cold. Not a big fan of hot drinks with booze.
Judy Yaillen says
Friday, December 3, 2010 at 1:10 amThese look so good! Where did you get the cool festive picks?
Elaine Sulkey says
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 9:14 amHow many people does this recipe serve?
Cathy says
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 9:22 amAbout eight but that will vary with the size of your glasses.
Phil says
Friday, December 3, 2010 at 12:53 pmSounds wonderful! Can’t wait to try it. I second on Judys question, where did you get those fabulous martini picks?
Tom Saaristo says
Friday, December 3, 2010 at 2:50 pmI have no doubt those taste delicious, but it is their stunning beauty that has me drooling!
Camille says
Friday, December 3, 2010 at 11:17 pmThese look gorgeous and I love cranberries so I can’t wait to try them. I have to ask, who makes those beautiful olive (or in this case,cranberry) picks? Love them! So much prettier than the everyday plastic pick. Have a happy holiday!!
Cassie says
Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 6:11 pmOMG I might have the biggest girl crush on you right now! I LOVE martinis and this looks awesome!
Angela says
Monday, December 6, 2010 at 4:08 amThe red color is magnificent as is the holder of the cranberries. I could drink a few of these for sure.
suzan-in-nc says
Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 6:09 pmI made this last night for a holiday get together and it is wonderful! Everyone LOVED it, and I am sharing your website w/ them. The star anise, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks impart such a wonderful flavor. Many thanks, Cathy, this is a definite repeat for my household during future holiday gatherings. I have some left over and am thinking about warming it up and trying it as a hot toddy. I feel a cold coming on!
Joanna says
Monday, December 29, 2014 at 7:45 pmI just made a small batch of this to sample as a possibility for our NYE party: absolutely perfect. The spices add warmth for a cold night and adds great flavor. I did infuse the vodka with Thai chili’s and used diet cranberry juice to cut the sweetness. Really glad I found this recipe.
suzan-in-nc says
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at 11:44 amI like your substitutions/additions. I’m going to try them next time I make this.
Nancy says
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 7:48 pmHosting book club of 15 for a “cookies & cocktails” and this recipe looks perfect. But how do I make 15 drinks to serve at once? Do they sell shakers that large? I do like how your recipe is for 8 and not less. Thanks. Cheers.