Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash
This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash is a bright, cozy cocktail that combines smooth bourbon with tart cranberry juice, fresh orange, lemon, maple syrup, and aromatic bitters. It has the warmth you want from a bourbon cocktail with enough fresh citrus and cranberry flavor to keep every sip crisp and refreshing.
Fresh cranberries, an orange peel, and a sprig of rosemary make this cocktail especially beautiful for fall and holiday entertaining. It’s festive enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas but simple enough to shake up whenever you’re craving a fruity bourbon drink with a seasonal twist.
Quick Recipe Facts
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
🍹 Total Time: 5 minutes
🥃 Servings: 1 cocktail
🍸 Course: Drinks
🇺🇸 Cuisine: American
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright cranberry flavor: Tart cranberry juice gives the cocktail a festive, fruity flavor and gorgeous color.
- Fresh citrus: Orange and lemon juice brighten the bourbon and balance its richness.
- Naturally sweetened: Maple syrup adds just enough sweetness along with a subtle warm flavor.
- Quick and easy: The entire cocktail comes together in about 5 minutes.
- Perfect for entertaining: Cranberries, rosemary, and orange peel make it beautiful for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday parties.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the maple syrup to make the cocktail sweeter or more tart.
🛒 Ingredient Notes
- Bourbon: Choose a smooth bourbon you enjoy drinking. Its warm caramel and vanilla notes pair beautifully with cranberry and orange.
- Cranberry juice: Unsweetened cranberry juice gives the cocktail its tart flavor and helps balance the maple syrup.
- Fresh orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice adds natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds acidity and keeps the cocktail crisp rather than overly sweet.
- Maple syrup: Adds gentle sweetness and a warm seasonal flavor that complements the bourbon.
- Angostura bitters: A couple of dashes add aromatic spice and extra depth to the cocktail.
- Fresh cranberries, rosemary, and orange peel: These make a beautiful seasonal garnish and give the finished drink a festive look.
💡 Kris’s Tip: Use freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice for the brightest flavor. Before garnishing, gently twist the orange peel over the glass to release its citrus oils, then add it with the rosemary and fresh cranberries.
🍽️ Garnish and Serving Ideas
Serve your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries, a rosemary sprig, and a strip of orange peel for a festive presentation. For holiday entertaining, you can lightly slap the rosemary between your palms before adding it to the glass to release its aroma.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the bourbon, cranberry juice, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bitters a few hours ahead and refrigerate until chilled. Wait to add the ice and garnishes until just before serving.
Can I make this cocktail sweeter?
Absolutely. Add a little extra maple syrup, starting with about ¼ teaspoon at a time. Cranberry juice can be quite tart, so taste the cocktail and adjust the sweetness to your preference.
Can I make this without bourbon?
Yes. For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the bourbon and add a little extra cranberry and orange juice. Top with club soda or sparkling water for a festive cranberry-orange mocktail.
📝 Recipe Tips
- Use fresh citrus juice: Fresh orange and lemon juice give the cocktail a brighter, cleaner flavor.
- Choose unsweetened cranberry juice: This gives you more control over the sweetness of the finished cocktail.
- Adjust the maple syrup: Cranberry juices vary in tartness, so taste and add a little more maple syrup if needed.
- Shake it well: Shake with plenty of ice until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled.
- Use fresh ice for serving: Strain the cocktail over fresh ice rather than using the ice from the shaker.
- Garnish just before serving: Fresh rosemary, cranberries, and orange peel give the cocktail its festive finishing touch.
Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Jigger
- Citrus juicer
- Strainer
- Rocks glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add the bourbon, cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until thoroughly chilled.
- Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass.
- Gently twist the orange peel over the cocktail to release its citrus oils.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries, a rosemary sprig, and the orange peel.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
For the best flavor: Use freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice.
Cranberry juice: Unsweetened cranberry juice gives the cocktail a more tart, balanced flavor; if using sweetened cranberry juice, reduce the maple syrup to taste.
For extra rosemary aroma: Gently clap the rosemary sprig between your palms before garnishing to release its oils.
Make it sparkling: Top the finished cocktail with a splash of club soda for a lighter, bubbly version.
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