Enjoy a Cranberry Vodka Spritzer with hints of orange juice and just enough bubbles to make it fizzy. Vodka cranberry is a classic cocktail choice and one of my favorites! Add fresh orange juice and bubbly club soda, and now you have a vodka spritzer. It is a delicious drink with balanced flavors that is also beautiful. Perfect for the holiday season or any time of year.
Take your festive holiday cocktail over the top with garnishes. After all, who doesn’t love a pretty drink? Use frozen fresh cranberries instead of ice. The frozen cranberries keep your drink cold and from diluting down. The best part is that the frozen cranberries infuse extra cranberry flavor! For another garnish, add a slice of orange. The bright orange color goes well with the bright red cranberry color.
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Drink Ingredients
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail - Make sure you grab the cranberry cocktail version versus the 100% cranberry juice. If you look at the ingredients of the 100% cranberry juice, it has other fruit juices like grape and apple.
- Vodka - My favorite brand of vodka is Sky vodka. I think I am a sucker for the bright blue bottle. Use your favorite brand, choose a good vodka, or go with mine. It is a good one.
- Club Soda - I use this strictly for the bubbles. It is not sweet. It just adds the signature fizziness for a spritzer drink. If you have sparkling water you love or soda water - feel free to try it.
- Orange - Squeeze half of the orange into juice and use the other half as a garnish.
- Fresh Cranberries - Freeze fresh cranberries or use frozen cranberries as ice cubes. Optional but delicious.
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions. Selected ingredients are based on current serving sizes measured by the Monash University App at the time of publishing. As always, follow your gut and modify as needed.
How To Make a Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
On a small baking sheet, freeze fresh cranberries. It takes an hour or two.
Grab a cocktail shaker or a measuring cup and measure out the cranberry cocktail juice, vodka, and a bit of fresh orange juice. Stir.
In a pretty glass or a mason jar, whatever works. Add a handful of frozen cranberries to the bottom of the glass. Pour in the juice mixture about ¾ of a cup.
Next, add ¼ cup of club soda, just a splash of club soda. Feel free to add more club soda if you want more bubbles. Be aware it will dilute the drink down. It will be more like drinking a flavored water than a cranberry vodka drink.
Add a slice of orange and serve! With any luck, this will become your signature drink at holiday gatherings.
Cranberry Spritzer Variations
Cranberry Lime Vodka Spritzer: Instead of orange juice, add lime juice and a slice of lime. Not only is it a delicious option, but it is red and green - a classic Christmas holiday drink option.
Cranberry Lemon Vodka Spritzer: Another refreshing option is using lemon juice instead of orange juice. This is a classic summer choice!
Flavored Vodkas: In place of regular vodka, use vanilla vodka or a blueberry vodka to create a fruity vodka spritzer.
Mocktail Instructions
There is no need to exclude anyone from enjoying this pretty spritzer drink. Follow the recipe, and omit the vodka. For a sweeter mocktail drink option, use a lemon lime soda, like Sprite, 7Up, or ginger ale for the club soda. To keep the sugar low, use a diet version.
Garnish Options
Orange Slices - I love how pretty these are. It makes this a festive cocktail. Perfect for holiday parties.
Sprig of Rosemary - Add a fresh rosemary sprig. This will add a bit of herb element, plus it is beautiful. It makes it a very festive holiday drink.
Additional Drink Recipes
Recipe
Cranberry Orange Vodka Spritzer
Ingredients
- Handful fresh cranberries
- 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
- ¼ cup club soda
Instructions
- On a small baking sheet, freeze fresh cranberries. Do this days in advance or up to one hour in advance.
- In a cocktail shaker or an easy-to-pour container, add cranberry cocktail juice, vodka, and fresh orange juice. Stir.
- Add a handful of frozen cranberries to the bottom of the drink glass. Pour ¾ cup of the drink mixture into the cup.
- Next, add ¼ cup of club soda. Feel free to add more club soda if you want more bubbles. Be aware it will dilute the drink down. It will be more like drinking a flavored water than a cranberry vodka drink.
- Add a slice of orange and serve!
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