At first glance, this Cran Apple Smash seems like it should be served around the holidays and that’s it.
After all – cranberries!
But I’m telling you – cranberries or no, this drink is delicious and refreshing, with flavors suitable for almost any time of the year!
Drink a Cran Apple Smash Year Round!
You see…there is much more to this Cran Apple Smash than cranberries.
Which, of course, is obvious by the name – there’s apple, too.
But there is also this wonderful citrus component to it, so this drink tastes like you added a splash of sunshine into the mix.
And suddenly, you see how refreshing this drink could be on a hot summer day!
I also love how easily you can switch the Cran Apple Smash from cocktail to mocktail and back again.
Simply replace the citrus bitters with orange juice and you’re good to go.
This is a drink that everyone can enjoy, and to me, those are always the best drinks of all!
Enjoy a 70 calorie Cran Apple Smash
Our cran apple smash is a great low-calorie drink.
It only has 70 calories, so you can enjoy it without the guilt.
You can further reduce your calories in this drink if you substitute lite or diet cranberry juice.
And if you serve it without the alcohol, it’s even lower calorie!
Ingredients you need to make the Cran Apple Smash
- 5 Cranberries
- 2 oz. Sparkling Ice Cranberry Frost
- 1 ½ oz. Cranberry Juice
- 2 ½ oz. Apple Cider
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
- Orange Peel
Note: If you can’t find the Sparkling Ice Cranberry Frost in your area, you can substitute cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail.
If you’re interested in keeping the calories low, you may also substitute for the diet cranberry juice cocktail.
If you would like to serve the cranapple smash with more alcohol, we suggest adding 1 or 2 ounces of your favorite whiskey or bourbon.
The flavors combine really well together.
Make it a Mocktail instead
It is so easy to make this drink without alcohol.
To enjoy the the cran apple smash without alcohol, omit the bitters and add a splash of orange juice.
How to make the Cran Apple Smash
In a highball glass, muddle cranberries.
Pour in Sparkling Ice Cranberry Frost and cranberry juice.
Add 4 dashes of citrus bitter sand top with apple cider.
Finish with ice and an orange peel garnish.
Can I serve this drink like a cran apple punch?
You can easily serve this drink as a punch.
Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need.
And it’s a delightful drink to serve in a pitcher or a punch bowl.
If you’re serving in a punch bowl, we recommend adding the Sparkling Ice prior to serving so that it will retain its fizz.
You can also make a cranberry flavored ice ring or ice cubes for your punch bowl.
Having a flavored ice ring helps keep your drink cold, and it also helps keep it from the flavor being diluted.
More delicious cranberry drinks
Why not give some of these a try:
Cranberry Apple Cider Bourbon infused in the Instant Pot
Sugared Cranberry Cocktail Garnish
Cheery Christmas Cocktails Recipe Roundup
Cranberry Ginger Beer Mocktail
Cran Apple Long Island Iced Tea
Cranberry and Orange Vodka Fizz
Prosecco with Sweetened Cranberries
Sugared Cranberry Cocktail Garnish
Sparkling Honey Cranberry Ginger Punch
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Cranapple Smash recipe.
If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.
If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.
You may enjoy following our Pinterest Boards, Cranberry Recipes and Christmas Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes.
Cran Apple Smash
Equipment
- Measuring cup or jigger
- Muddling Stick
- Beverage Glass
- Citrus Peeler
Ingredients
- 5 Cranberries
- 2 oz Sparkling Ice Cranberry Frost
- 1 ½ oz Cranberry Juice
- Citrus Bitters
- 2 ½ oz Apple Cider
- Orange Peel
Instructions
- In a highball glass, muddle cranberries.
- Pour in Sparkling Ice Cranberry Frost and cranberry juice.
- Add 4 dashes of the citrus bitters and top with apple cider.
- Finish with ice and an orange peel garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.
This is my third time making this drink. It’s so good and refreshing. It kind of reminds me a bit of a Seabreeze for fall and winter. They have started bringing the apple cider out in the stores, so it was a good time to try it. This time I used Diet Cranberry Juice in place of the Sparkling Ice, and it was really good too!