Cranberry Vodka Spritzer

This pretty Cranberry Vodka Spritzer cocktail recipe yields a refreshing cocktail for all of your holiday entertaining. 

If you need a festive cocktail to celebrate any occasion, this refreshing Cranberry Vodka Spritzer is the perfect option! This fruity and vibrant cocktail will add a splash of color and sparkle to any gathering.

I am a sucker for cranberry vodka drinks that will tickle your tastebuds with winter flavors. 

 

Whether you’re serving it as a wintertime pick-me-up or as a cold beverage to beat the heat in the summer, this spritzer is so simple to make and hits the spot every time! It combines the tangy sweetness of cranberry juice with the smooth kick of vodka, topped with the effervescence of delightful sparkling water.

Garnished with fresh cranberries and some rosemary, this drink not only tastes incredible but also looks stunning.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a girls’ night in, or simply unwinding after a long day, this yummy and simple Cranberry Vodka Spritzer is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the season.

Planning a Thanksgiving party? You’ll want to check out our pretty printable Thanksgiving Cocktail Menu, with a great assortment of Thanksgiving drinks.

Serve this cranberry cocktail alongside a Blood Orange Vodka Cocktail  and this Santa Clausmopolitan for a trio of delicious and subtly fruity cocktails with gorgeous colors and elegant presentations!

Another of our favorite Christmas cocktails is this delicious recipe for a classy Pomegranate Mimosa, perfect for holiday parties and brunches.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Vodka Spritzer

Looking for easy holiday cocktails to make? This Cranberry Vodka Cocktail is the perfect choice for your Christmas cocktail party, but don’t save it just for the holiday season or December.

A harmonious blend of tart cranberry juice, smooth vodka, and bubbly sparkling water, this refreshing and vibrant drink is perfect for any season!

It also makes a tasty refreshing drink for hot summer afternoons – serve along side cold snacks and appetizers for a cocktail hour your guests will enjoy.

Five simple ingredients is all it takes to whip up this pretty cocktail – just look at those colors! How festive and perfect to serve your guests on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

A delicious Cranberry Pie from Baked by an Introvert is another fantastic way to add some delicious holiday flavor to any occasion!

Five ingredients are all that’s needed to make one of our favorite cocktails! And, if you’re looking for more drink recipes for holidays and cooler weather, check out our top Fall Cocktails!

These Butterscotch Schnapps Apple Cocktails are another sweet and festive drink for the colder months.

Vodka Cranberry Spritzer Ingredients

• Cranberry Vodka – gives you a refreshing burst of cranberry flavor, but can be substituted for regular vodka in a pinch.
• Cranberry Lime Seltzer Water – adds some carbonation for a fizzy effect and added cranberry flavor, as well as a tangy hint of citrus. You could substitute with club soda, although it will affect the flavor.
• Lime – the addition of extra lime ties all of the flavors together and gives your cocktail a refreshing and vibrant finish.
• Rosemary sprig – provides a holiday touch and makes these cocktails perfect for winter. Use mint instead to transition this cocktail into a more spring and summer friendly drink.
• Fresh Cranberries – a sweet and festive garnish that infuse the drink with authentic fruity flavor.

Instructions For Cranberry Spritzer Cocktail

1. If you like, start by dropping a few ice cubes into your cocktail glass. We’ve used a Hurricane glass—this cocktail looks so pretty in it! You could also use frosted glasses with cold vodka and juice—your choice!
2. Using a shot glass, measure one ounce of cranberry vodka and pour into your cocktail glass.
   

   Start with one ounce of Cranberry Vodka for an infusion of boozy fruity flavor.

3. Cut a fresh lime (you can use bottled lime juice in a pinch) and squeeze some lime juice into the glass.
4. Add cranberry lime seltzer water and fill almost to the top, then give it a stir.
   

   Top up your glass with Cranberry Lime Seltzer water.

5. If you have some pretty cocktail skewers (like these ones), pierce some fresh berries and add a sprig of rosemary (or two). Use as a garnish to add even more color. Or add some colorful cocktail umbrellas for an extra pretty touch, especially if you are whipping these up for a summer cocktail party.
   

   So pretty and so tasty, this vodka spritzer is a simple drink with incredible results!

Tips

• To make this drink non-alcoholic, simply eliminate the vodka! This makes a great drink to enjoy as a family.
• This spritzer is great any time of year, so don’t limit yourself to making it around the holidays!
• Use some lime juice to rim the glass and dip into coarse sugar to make these drinks an even sweeter treat.
• If you prefer to drink your cocktails without ice, you can combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker instead.
• Serve alongside tasty appetizers like these Easy Stuffed Mushroom Caps and Feta Garlic Dip.

Popular Variations and Substitutions

• For even more cranberry flavor, add a splash of cranberry juice or even a cranberry simple syrup for fresh cranberry flavor. I suggest avoiding the cranberry juice cocktail, a slightly different product with added sugars and corn syrup for extra sweetness.
• Better yet, make some cranberry puree with some honey and stir it into your spritzer!
• Fresh lime also makes a great garnish on the rim of your glass.
• Wet the rim and then roll the rim in sugar for a prettier presentation.
• If you’re looking for a little something extra, substitute some of the seltzer water for ginger beer or ginger ale, which will add a completely different dimension to your spritzers.
• Mint leaves are another cool and tasty garnish for this drink.
• If you want a more subtle drink, feel free to use plain vodka. Something sweet but versatile, like vanilla vodka, may also be a tasty choice!
• Don’t have vodka on hand? Change the liquor out for gin!
• Feel free to make this holiday drink in a shaker. Add ingredients, shake, strain, and pour into a highball glass.
• Multiply the recipe to serve as a punch for a holiday drink for a crowd. Serve in a pitcher or punch bowl.

This Cranberry Vodka Cocktail is a perfect signature drink for your next party!

Cranberry Vodka Drink FAQs

What drink is made with vodka and cranberry?

This drink is called a Cape Codder or Cape Cod, although it’s typically made with regular vodka and cranberry juice, whereas this spritzer is made with cranberry vodka and seltzer water.

What’s the difference between a Cosmopolitan and a Cape Cod?

A Cosmo typically has more to it than a Cape Cod and often includes lime juice and triple sec.

What is the lowest-calorie drink to have with vodka?

One of the lowest calorie vodka drinks is this Skinny Bitch – it comes in under 100 calories. If you want to mix vodka with something and keep it low-calorie, seltzer water is one of your best bets.

Even the flavored kinds typically have little to no calories per serving, so you can experiment with many combinations!

Can I make this cranberry spritzer nonalcoholic?

Absolutely! You can easily turn these into mocktails. Combine the cranberry lime seltzer with some cranberry juice, then garnish with rosemary and fresh cranberries as instructed. You could also use some lemon lime soda to accentuate the citrus flavor.

Is cranberry juice good for you?

Yes, cranberry juice is very healthy! It’s a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and protein and is low in sodium. So adding cranberry to your drinks is always welcome if you make sure not to buy one with a lot of added sugar. 

 

Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

If you enjoy this recipe for vodka cocktails, please rate it five stars below! You can also print it off or save it to your recipes folder! We’ve also made it easy for you to share it on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. For another sweet and tart drink, try out my cranberry Moscow mule. 

Originally published Oct 2021; latest update Oct 2024