Sometimes the simple drinks are the best, especially when they are as simply delicious as the Cranberry Vodka Tonic.
All you need is some vodka, tonic water, and fresh cranberries .
Then you have nearly everything you need to be these delightfully festive cocktails.
Enjoy a delicious Cranberry Vodka Tonic
There is a bit of prep involved, but it is super simple to do.
And when you see how wonderful these cocktails look and taste, you’ll know it was worth every bit of effort.
The combination of sweet and tart is a tantalizing delight.
Perfect anytime, but especially for holiday parties
Bright red and sparkling.
This beverage looks just like a Christmas gift when topped with a lovely garnish of fresh cranberries and a sprig of fresh mint.
Cranberry Vodka Tonic is festive enough to be a welcome addition at any holiday party.
But it’s also simple enough to enjoy one evening while watching Christmas movies.
And if you like to sip a cocktail while watching the kids unwrap their presents, this cocktail is a beautiful choice.
The Cranberry Vodka Tonic has a way of making every day just a little more festive all winter long!
It also makes cranberry simple syrup
Did you know that you can make homemade cranberry simple syrup?
You sure can, and it’s a lot easier than you may think.
And as a bonus, it makes more than you need for this recipe so you have it for future drinks.
It’s also great to give a bottle of the simple syrup as a delicious homemade gift too!
You will start by making homemade cranberry simple syrup.
You may store the extra in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for about two weeks.
How long does the cranberry simple syrup last?
As is, it lasts about two weeks.
If you want it to keep a little longer than that, add a splash of vodka to the cranberry syrup prior to sealing it up.
Then it may last up to 3 months if you keep it well sealed and refrigerated.
The vodka acts as a preservative and will add some more time to how long you can keep it refrigerated.
It won’t change the taste if you only add a little.
Ingredients to make Cranberry Simple Syrup:
- 2 C of water
- 2 C of sugar
- 1 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries
Ingredients to make the drink:
- 1/4 cup cranberry simple syrup, to taste
- 2 limes, sliced and squeezed
- 1 liter of tonic water
- 1-2 cups of Vodka
- Fresh Cranberries for garnish
- mint sprigs for garnish
- ice
Note: You may adjust the amount of homemade syrup based on how much cranberry flavor you desire.
If you’re serving guests with varying degrees of a sweet tooth, we recommend making the base recipe in the pitcher.
Then let them add an extra spoonful or two of the cranberry syrup to their personal drink.
How to make a Cranberry Vodka Tonic
You will first make your homemade cranberry syrup.
Make the homemade cranberry simple syrup:
Add water, sugar and cranberries to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain the cranberries into a separate bowl.
Then pour the syrup into another bowl and allow it to cool.
Once the syrup has cooled, pour it into a jar or bottle, reserving 1/4 cup.
Make the drink:
Slice your limes and squeeze into a large pitcher.
Combine the tonic water and vodka into the pitcher.
Once the syrup has cooled, stir it into the pitcher until it’s well-mixed.
Pour ice into the glasses.
Pour the mixture over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries and mint.
You may enjoy these recipes too:
If you love our Cranberry Vodka Tonic recipe, you may also enjoy some of these drinks too!
Skinny Cranberry Margarita Spritzer
Sparkling Honey Cranberry Ginger Punch
Blackberry and Peach Vodka Cooler
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Cranberry Vodka Tonic 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 Board, Cranberry Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes.
Cranberry Vodka Tonic with Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
Ingredients to make Cranberry Simple Syrup:
- 2 C of water
- 2 C of sugar
- 1 12 oz. bag fresh cranberries
Ingredients to make the drink:
- ¼ cup cranberry simple syrup to taste
- 2 limes sliced and squeezed
- 1 liter of tonic water
- 1-2 cups Vodka
- Fresh Cranberries for garnish
- mint sprigs for garnish
- ice
Instructions
Pre-Steps: Make the Cranberry Simple Syrup:
- Add water, sugar and cranberries to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil
- Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes
- Strain the cranberries into a separate bowl.
- Then pour the syrup into another bowl and allow it to cool.
- Once the syrup has cooled, pour it into a jar or bottle, reserving 1/4 cup.
Make the drink:
- Slice your limes and squeeze into a large pitcher.
- Combine the tonic water and vodka into the pitcher.
- Once the syrup has cooled, stir it into the pitcher until it’s well-mixed.
- Pour ice into the glasses.
- Pour the mixture over ice and garnish with fresh cranberries and mint.
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.
Oh wow! My vodka tonics just got a huge upgrade with these. Thanks so much for this amazing recipe!
Talk about classing up a vodka tonic! The fresh cranberries are such a great touch!
This looks super refreshing. Great for relaxing on a sunny evening.
This sounds so good, I’m so sorry to be a pain, I’m in New Zealand and can’t get fresh cranberries but we can get frozen unsweetened ones.. do you think I could defrost these for the syrup? Sorry I’ve never cooked with cranberries and you specified fresh so just wanted to check before I give it a go
Hi Stacey, I didn’t know you can’t get fresh cranberries in New Zealand! Yes, you can definitely use frozen cranberries. You’ll want to let them thaw before adding them to your saucepan. I also like to pat them dry if they have been frozen so that the melted ice and condensation doesn’t alter the water to sugar ratio in the simple syrup. I hope you enjoy them!