Cranberry Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail

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Cranberry, orange, and ginger are the ultimate holiday trio. Pair them with bourbon, and you have the ultimate holiday drink in this Cranberry Old Fashioned.

Cranberries get the spotlight during the holiday season, showing up everywhere from Thanksgiving tables to Christmas tree garland. And because the flavor pairs so well with so many spirits, cranberries are also featured in all kinds of drinks, including a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour.

This cranberry bourbon cocktail skips the cinnamon sticks and dials up the simple syrup with a cranberry orange version that’s super easy to make.

It’s a spin on a classic cocktail that’ll have you making it an Old Fashioned Christmas with a Christmas Old Fashioned. Or rather, a Cranberry Old Fashioned. 😉

Ingredients

Bourbon - Pick your favorite quality bourbon for this cocktail.
Cranberry orange simple syrup - My favorite syrup to have on hand during the holidays, this homemade cranberry orange simple syrup takes 10 minutes to make and keeps in the fridge for weeks. Make it ahead of time to be ready for your cocktail hour.
Ginger liqueur - Sweet ginger liqueur adds just the right amount of ginger flavor.
Orange bitters - Balance out the sweetness in this old fashioned with orange bitters. (Read: Elevate Your Cocktails with Bitters)
Orange peel - A squeeze of orange oil fresh from the peel adds a lot of this cranberry old fashioned cocktail.
Cranberries (for garnish) - Totally optional, but fun to add.

How to Make a Cranberry Old Fashioned

In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine bourbon, cranberry orange syrup, ginger liqueur and orange bitters.

Stir for 10-15 seconds to chill your drink.

Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

Pouring a Cranberry Old Fashioned into a glass.

Garish with a twist of orange peel and fresh cranberries.

A hand garnishing a glass of cranberry old fashioned cocktail.

Sip and enjoy!

Make your own Cranberry Orange Syrup

You’ll want to make your cranberry orange syrup a few hours in advance of making your cocktail so you have time for it to chill. Get the recipe over on my Cranberry Orange Syrup recipe page.

Easy Happy Hour Snack Recipes

Easy, homemade bar snacks are my go-to for any happy hour. Both these Barbecue Oyster Crackers and Savory Spiced Nuts can be made days ahead of time to have on hand in the pantry any time you need a snack with your drink.

BBQ Oyster crackers in a bowl — BBQ Oyster Crackers

FAQs and Substitutions

What kind of bourbon should I use?

Your favorite bourbon will work great in this recipe. Don't have a favorite? New to bourbon? Try Bulleit Bourbon or Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Both are widely available in the U.S. and will be delicious in this cocktail.

What can I use instead of orange bitters?

If you don't have orange bitters on hand, you can use Aromatic Bitter instead. However, this will give the drink more of a spiced flavor.

Don't have a mixing glass?

Use a wide mouth, pint mason jar instead of a mixing glass! Set the flat lid of the mason jar slightly askew and hold it down firmly to pour your drink without a hawthorne strainer.

A glass of cranberry old fashioned bourbon cocktail.

Looking for more Old Fashioned Cocktails?

I love taking a traditional cocktail like the classic Old Fashioned and giving it a new spin. My Coffee Old Fashioned adds in cold brew coffee while this Peach Old Fashioned cocktail leans on the delicious pairing of smoky bourbon and sweet peach syrup. Feeling festive? Mix up a Gingerbread Old Fashioned with homemade gingerbread syrup.

Glasses of Peach Old Fashioned cocktail. — Peach Old Fashioned

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