Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.
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.

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. 😉
What You Need
- Bourbon
- Cranberry orange simple syrup
- Ginger liqueur
- Orange bitters
- Orange peel
- Cranberries (for garnish)
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.
Garish with a twist of orange peel and fresh cranberries.
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
How to Make 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 for Cranberry Orange Syrup
Tips on Cranberry Old Fashioned
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.
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.
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.
Don’t Miss These Old Fashioned Cocktails
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
Print the Recipe
PrintCranberry Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
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.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry orange simple syrup
- ½ oz ginger liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Twist of orange peel
Instructions
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.
Garish with a twist of orange peel and fresh cranberries.
Notes
Make your syrup ahead of time so it has time to cool completely before using.
Keywords: cranberry old fashioned, christmas old fashioned, bourbon cocktail, holiday cocktail
Leave a Reply