This easy-to-make syrup adds festive color and seasonal flavor to a variety of cocktails and mocktails. Makes a lovely gift too!
Taking a few minutes to prepare an infused simple syrup is an easy way to create the type of cocktail that garners big bucks at trendy restaurants.
And while I most often use this rose-hued syrup in cocktails, its sweet-tart flavor lends itself to other uses as well.
Mixed with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime, the cranberry syrup produces a simple yet thirst-quenching beverage, for an alcohol-free drink any night of the week. It can also be used as an all-purpose glaze for seasonal cakes and quick breads, adding moisture and sweetness.
Or stir it into yogurt, oatmeal (stovetop or overnight oats), lemonade, tea, smoothies, and homemade snow cones. (If it actually snows, however, I do recommend Snow Cream…so much fun for kids of all ages!)
In the cocktail department, cranberry syrup pairs especially well with bourbon, vodka, and gin. A squeeze of lime or orange plays well with these flavors too.
One of my favorite ways, however, to enjoy the cranberry syrup is in the Cranberry Bourbon Old Fashioned pictured below. (I’ve included the recipe at the bottom of the page.)
What is simple syrup?
It’s worth mentioning that traditional simple syrup consists of equal parts water and sugar. That’s it.
The syrup is made by heating the sugar and water long enough for the sugar to dissolve. It’s as easy as the name suggests and allows the desired amount of sweetness to be evenly incorporated into liquids of any temperature. No more gritty sugar sitting at the bottom of a glass of iced tea!
How do you make Cranberry Simple Syrup?
Fresh or frozen cranberries are required, but the process is similar. I like to add two slices of orange or clementine and a cinnamon stick to infuse the syrup with subtle but complementary flavor.
Because cranberries are naturally tart, this syrup, though sweet, is not as sweet as plain simple syrup. The sweet-tart flavor profile is where this syrup really shines.
A versatile recipe ingredient and a natural addition to a wide variety of cocktails, the cranberry flavor complements many liquors, including bourbon, vodka, gin, and tequila. Because cranberries play well with a variety of fruits, the syrup takes to liquors like grand Marnier, triple sec, and Chambord too.
To facilitate experimentation when using cranberry simple syrup, think to these complementary ingredients:
- Fruits – all citrus fruits (I especially like it with orange and lime), apples, apricots, peaches, raspberries, pears, pineapples, and pumpkin.
- Spices and herbs – cinnamon, rosemary, ginger, and vanilla
- Nuts – almonds, pecans, and walnuts
Cranberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8oz) water
- 1 cup (192g) sugar
- 1 cup (100g) cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 slices orange or clementine
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the cranberries are soft. (You will hear some of them pop as they split. This is fine.)
- Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool in the pan for approximately 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing lightly to extract the liquid.
- Transfer the syrup to a jar, and store in the refrigerator. The syrup will keep in an airtight container for several weeks.
Cranberry Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce cranberry syrup (see recipe card above)
- 1 dash cocktail bitters (like Angostura; may omit if you don’t have them)
- Splash of club soda or sparkling water
- Optional garnishes: orange twist or slice, maraschino or Luxardo cherry, sugared cranberries, and/or cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Place an ice cube or two in your glass. (An old fashioned glass, rocks, or lowball glass is traditional. A bourbon ball is fun for the ice cube if you have a mold).
- Add the bourbon, cranberry syrup, bitters, and a splash of club soda. Stir, and then add an orange twist, a cherry or several sugared cranberries, and/or a cinnamon stick. Cheers!
A fun nutrition fact from our dietitian Emily:
Though research is not entirely conclusive, some studies show that daily consumption of cranberry juice can reduce incidence of repeat urinary tract infections in women who suffer from them frequently. For those with diabetes or other conditions in which simple sugar consumption needs to be monitored, consider a handful of dried cranberries (which also contains fiber), the lower-sugar cranberry juices, or mix the juice half and half with water with a higher fiber or higher protein snack.
For those who are curious…
The reason we don’t list nutritional breakdowns next to each recipe is because the numbers can change significantly depending on brands people buy and how exact the measuring is. In saying that, if you email me separately, I can provide you with my best estimations on the nutrients you would like to know more about in this recipe. I’m happy to help!
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