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    Home » Cocktails

    Easy Cocktails with Cranberry Juice that taste amazing!

    Published: Apr 13, 2023 · Updated: Dec 6, 2023 by Tammilee · This post may contain affiliate links

    Easy Cocktails with Cranberry Juice that taste amazing! These cranberry juice cocktails are perfect year-round.

    Four cranberry juice cocktails in a collage

    Cranberry Juice Cocktails to Enjoy All Year Round

    Contents show
    Cranberry Juice Cocktails to Enjoy All Year Round
    Does Cranberry Juice Go Bad?
    Is Cranberry Juice Gluten-Free?
    Cranberry Juice Recipes
    Cranberry Mimosa
    Woo Woo Drink
    Bay Breeze Cocktail
    Forty Is the New 20 Alchemy Bar Cocktail
    Caribbean Sunset Martini
    Boozy Cosmopolitan Popsicles
    Curative Peach Cosmopolitan
    Melon Crush Martini
    Copy Cat Chevy’s, Sunburn Margarita
    Raspberry Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
    Pomegranate Breeze Martini
    The Perfect Storm Cocktail
    Washington Apple Drink
    Seven Seas Martini
    Cranberry Moscow Mule
    Copy Cat Carnival Cruise Cruiser Cocktail
    Bama Breeze Cocktail
    Cranberry Juice Shots
    Red Snapper Shot
    Vegas Bomb Shot
    Recipe Tips
    Cocktail Tools
    Additional Recipe Collections

    The cranberry is a tiny, red berry whose bright, slightly bitter tang has probably made it to your stomach through Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

    Cranberry juice, on the other hand, imparts a sweet-tart flavor and a vibrant red hue to cocktails and mocktails. Here are answers to your most-asked questions about cranberry juice, followed by cranberry juice recipes that will make you fall in love throughout the year with this festive berry.

    Garnish with Sugared Cranberries for a delicious cranberry cocktail.

    Does Cranberry Juice Go Bad?

    Yes, cranberry juice doesn’t last forever. As with all fruit-derived products, it eventually spoils and should be stored accordingly to maintain the best quality for the longest time possible.

    Cranberry juice cocktail, an artificially-sweetened beverage derived from cranberries, is the kind of cranberry juice you’ll likely encounter in the cocktail world. This kind is usually sold in unrefrigerated plastic bottles or cans in the freezer aisle.

    Shelf-stable cranberry juice should be kept in the refrigerator after opening and consumed within two to three weeks. Unopened bottles of cranberry juice can surprisingly remain at room temperature for up to two years past the printed date.

    We don’t recommend drinking opened cranberry juice that has gone unrefrigerated for more than a few hours, as temperatures between 40° to 140°F mean breeding grounds for bacteria.

    Cranberries have many health benefits, from improving immune health and stalling the effects of aging to reducing the risk of UTIs. The most nutrient-dense and true-to-form cranberry juices are fresh and free of artificial preservatives.

    Cranberry juice purchased refrigerated has a significantly shorter shelf life of seven to ten days after opening. It’s easy to tell fresh cranberry juice from the sweetened cocktail variety, as it will be labeled as “100 percent juice,” will not contain added sugars, and may be sold in cartons or glass bottles.

    Homemade cranberry juice lasts three to five days in the refrigerator.

    Here are the tell-tale signs that your cranberry juice is past its prime:

    • Color Changes
    • A Sour Aroma
    • Signs of Fermentation (air bubbles, bottle expansion)
    • Sediment
    • Mold

    Cranberries are hardy berries that preserve well, so there’s no need to worry if you purchased too many during the holidays and couldn’t turn them all into cranberry juice. They can be canned, frozen, or dried. Dried cranberries add a chewy and acid-sweet bite to savory and sweet meals. They work particularly well in baked goods.

    According to Penn State University’s PennState Extension, canning berries into sauces, jams, salsas, and chutneys are all research-backed ways to preserve them. Any cranberries that can’t be reappropriated should be frozen to maintain their quality.

    Are you looking for cranberry recipes? We’ve got a Cranberry Salsa and a Cranberry Orange Relish.

    Freezing cranberry juice also turns out to be the best way to store it for longevity. Unopened and opened cranberry juice kept in the freezer at a consistent temperature of 0°C remains drinkable for eight to 12 months.

    Prepare your cranberry juice for the freezer by pouring it into an airtight container or a secured ice tray. The liquid will expand during the freezing process, so leave at least a half-inch of clearance at the top of your vessel.

    Cranberry juice can be thawed in the refrigerator, the microwave, or by running the container under water. Once defrosted, consume your cranberry juice within three to five days, and keep it refrigerated when not in use.

    Is Cranberry Juice Gluten-Free?

    Yes! Cranberry juice is made from cranberries, a naturally gluten-free food, and none of its usual preservatives, if applicable, are gluten-containing. Gluten-containing products have traces of wheat, barley, rye, oats, or a combination of these grains.

    Ocean Spray, the cranberry brand behind Craisins, confirms that none of its products contain gluten.

     

    Cranberry Juice Recipes

    green champagne bottle pouring into a champagne flute with cranberry mimosa

    Cranberry Mimosa

    Ingredients: Champagne, Cranberry Juice, Cranberries for Garnish

    Toast to good times with this cheery, holiday brunch-ready mimosa.

    Two red Woo Woo Drinks in tall glasses wtih lime wedges next to a cloth napkin

    Woo Woo Drink

    Ingredients: Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Lime Wedge for Garnish

    Although its origins remain unclear, some accounts say that the Woo Woo drink was served to fans at bars each time the New York Mets scored in a game.

    Two Bay Breeze Cocktails with lime circles next to a few limes

    Bay Breeze Cocktail

    Ingredients: Vodka, Pineapple Juice, Cranberry Juice, Lime Wedges

    Pineapple juice transforms the Cape Cod cocktail into a sweet highball drink perfect for brunch or relaxing with friends.

    Pink 40 is the new 20 Cocktail with a lime wheel on an Alchemy Bar napkin

    Forty Is the New 20 Alchemy Bar Cocktail

    Ingredients: Skyy Vodka, Pomegranate Liquor, Pomegranate Syrup, Lemonade, Cranberry Syrup

    Cocktail aficionados who sail aboard Carnival Cruise Ships will love the Alchemy Bar’s solid drink offerings. This charming pomegranate-cranberry cocktail is bright, tart, and dangerously easy to sip.

    Red martini with a lemon wedge in a martini glass

    Caribbean Sunset Martini

    Ingredients: Absolut Raspberri, Malibu Coconut Rum, Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice

    This coconut and raspberry martini, another stellar creation from the Alchemy Bar, has vacation written all over it.

    Pink popsicles in zipzicle bags on ice with limes

    Boozy Cosmopolitan Popsicles

    Ingredients: Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice, Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec

    There’s nothing like cooling off with a cold treat on a hot day. Adult popsicles offer the best of both worlds - the nostalgia of reliving carefree summer days and the rush of tasting your favorite boozy beverage in a refreshing format.

    This cranberry juice recipe makes four adult cosmopolitan popsicles. Keep them out of reach of anyone under 21, and add labels so that it’s clear these are for grownups only.

    Alchemy Bar Curative Peach Cosmopolitan cocktail on a white napkin

    Curative Peach Cosmopolitan

    Ingredients: Absolut Citron Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Lemonade, Cranberry Juice

    This peach-citrus-cranberry spin on the classic cosmopolitan is a favorite from Alchemy Bar, the resident cocktail venue on Carnival Cruise Ships.

    Pink martini in a martini glass with lime wedge

    Melon Crush Martini

    Ingredients: Absolut Vodka, Monin Watermelon Syrup, Lemonade, Cranberry Juice, Lime for Garnish

    Sampling cocktail creations is one of our favorite travel activities. We enjoyed this watermelon-cranberry gem while cruising in Mexico on the Carnival Splendor.

    Red margarita in a margarita glass with salt and a lime wedge

    Copy Cat Chevy’s, Sunburn Margarita

    Ingredients: Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, Sweet and Sour Mix, Cranberry Juice

    This copycat recipe from Chevy’s Fresh Mex features the complementary flavors of cranberry and orange.

    Dark red martini in a martini glass with grass in the background

    Raspberry Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

    Ingredients: Smirnoff Sorbet Light - Raspberry Pomegranate, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lime Juice

    This raspberry and pomegranate twist on Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite libation is made with Smirnoff Sorbet Light, a flavored vodka that adds less than 100 calories to any drink.

    Bright red martini with a lime wedge in a martini glass on a white napkin

    Pomegranate Breeze Martini

    Ingredients: Stoli Orange Vodka, Monin Red Passion Fruit Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Orange Juice

    The candy-red Pomegranate Martini is all dressed up for your next Valentine’s Day or Christmas gathering. This fruity martini is another favorite we’ve discovered aboard a Carnival Cruise.

    red martini in a stemless martini glass on a white napkin

    The Perfect Storm Cocktail

    Ingredients: Bacardi Rum, Bacardi Spiced Rum, Monin Strawberry Syrup, Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice

    Claiming perfection may be a tall order, but this strawberry syrup-sweetened cocktail lives up to its name. We discovered the Alchemy Bar’s rum-infused take on the classic Dark ’N’ Stormy after deciding to explore as many Alchemy Bar offerings as possible on one of our Carnival Cruises. The premium onboard cocktail venue’s creations are part of the Carnival Cheers Drink Package.

    Two red brown martinis with apple slices in a martini glass next to green and red apples

    Washington Apple Drink

    Ingredients: Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey, Sour Apple Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Apple for Garnish

    As a native Washingtonian, I always wonder why this recipe wasn’t one of my first shares on the site. The apple comes from sour apple schnapps, the whisky comes from our northern neighbors across the border, and the cranberry juice adds a pleasant apple color to the cocktail. Garnish this fall-ready drink with halfway-cut apple slices.

    layered white and blue martini

    Seven Seas Martini

    Ingredients: Bacardi Limón Rum, Patrón Citrónge Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, White Cranberry Juice, Blue Curaçao

    The citrusy Seven Seas Martini is a staple at the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse on Carnival Cruise Ships. It is made zesty with Bacardi Limón Rum and Patrón Citrónge. Bacardi Limón Rum is flavored with lemon, lime, and grapefruit, while Patrón Citrónge is an orange-flavored tequila.

    cranberry mules in copper mugs with a bowl of cranberries and lime slices

    Cranberry Moscow Mule

    Ingredients: Ice, Fresh Lime Juice, Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Ginger Beer; Lime Wheel, Cranberries, and Rosemary Sprig for Garnish

    Tart cranberry pairs beautifully with spicy ginger beer in this holiday-friendly play on the classic Moscow mule. Orange bitters add even more festivity.

    Check out these other great Moscow Mule Variations.

    pink orange cocktail in a hurricane glass with a cherry in front of a pool

    Copy Cat Carnival Cruise Cruiser Cocktail

    Ingredients: Skyy Vodka, Malibu Coconut Rum, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice

    The refreshing Carnival Cruiser cocktail will have you dreaming of turquoise waves and warm sandy beaches in no time.

    Red cocktail with lime slices in a tall glass on a green picnic table

    Bama Breeze Cocktail

    Ingredients: Lime, Simple Syrup, Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka, Coconut Rum, Cranberry Juice

    The rum-based Bama Breeze comes from the pages of Gumbo Love, Lucy Buffett’s cookbook guide to Gulf Coast cooking and entertaining. Equally tart grapefruit vodka and cranberry juice seamlessly complement the coconut rum in this beachside sipper.

    Upcoming cocktails include a cranberry margarita, poinsettia champagne cocktail, sea breeze cocktail, madras cocktail, vodka cranberry cocktail, cranberry martini, cranberry whiskey sour, and so many more cranberry cocktail recipes.

    Cranberry Juice Shots

    Two red cocktail shots on white coasters.

    Red Snapper Shot

    Ingredients: Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey, Amaretto, Cranberry Juice

    This deceivingly named cranberry-almond-whiskey shot didn’t involve harming any fish.

    Glass shot dropping into a tall glass with brown orange liquid

    Vegas Bomb Shot

    Ingredients: Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, Peach Schnapps, Malibu Coconut Rum, Cranberry Juice, Red Bull

    This party-ready, Sin City-inspired shot is a must for your next casino-themed event.

     

    Recipe Tips

    Printable recipe card instructions are below.

    Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.

    Cocktail Tools

    2 ounce shot glasses - We love these 2 oz shot glasses especially for layered shots.

    Bar Spoon - Bar spoons help to create layers in the cocktail shot. They fit perfectly into the cocktail shot glass.  Perfect to stir your favorite cocktail.

    Cocktail Shaker – This cocktail shaker comes with a fantastic set of tools to shake and chill your drink.

    Stemless Martini Glasses - These stemless martini glasses are fantastic.

    Martini Glass - We like the look of the classic martini glass

    Additional Recipe Collections

    Christmas Cocktails - Epic Christmas Cocktails everyone will love! Make these great drinks for your holiday party and celebrate the holiday season with these great cocktail recipes!

    Thanksgiving Cocktails - Easy cocktails perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

    Funny Drink Names - From Duck Farts to Nutty Irishmen, this funny drink names collection will have you giggling and finding tons of great new cocktails to enjoy!

    Easy Layered Shots - Complete Guide to Layered Shots and how to pour them perfectly! These layered shot recipes are great for parties, holidays, or when you want to try a new cocktail shooter.

    Ginger Beer Cocktails - Easy ginger beer cocktails that tastes amazing.

    Blue Curacao Drinks - Epic Guide to Blue Curacao Drinks, including bright blue martinis, cocktails, and shots!  All of our favorite Blue Curacao Recipes and info on how to store and use this great orange liqueur.

    Triple Sec Drinks - Epic Triple Sec Drinks you will want to make at home!

    Check out all of our Cocktail Recipes

    Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

    Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, for all of our recipe posts.

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    About Tammilee

    Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
    You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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