Elevate Your Holiday Celebrations with a Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail
This Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail is destined to be the star of every holiday toast this year. Bursting with bright cranberry and warm spices, this sparkling cocktail embodies the very essence of seasonal celebrations.
As the holiday season draws near, our schedules often fill up faster than we can say “cheers!” Between shopping, decorating, and planning festive gatherings, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. But amidst the hustle and bustle, there’s always room for a moment of sparkling joy. And what better way to find that joy than with a truly special holiday cocktail?
Forget the stress and embrace the sparkle with this irresistible Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail. It’s the kind of drink that instantly transports you to a cozy, festive wonderland, making it perfect for your next Thirsty Thursday or any holiday event you’re hosting or attending.
Note: This is an updated version of the original recipe published on November 12, 2015, featuring enhanced details and tips for an even better holiday cocktail experience.
Why This Cranberry Spice Sparkler is Your Go-To Holiday Drink
For many, the holidays are synonymous with toasts and clinking glasses. Growing up, champagne was a staple at every festive meal, a tradition that etched itself into my memory. This year, I’m elevating that beloved bubbly tradition to a whole new level with this Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail.
What makes this sparkling wine cocktail so special? It’s all about the synergy of flavors. The heart of this drink is a homemade cranberry spice syrup, infused with potent seasonal aromatics. A little goes a long way, ensuring each sip is perfectly balanced. The effervescence of champagne (or any quality sparkling wine) then harmonizes these flavors, preventing them from being too intense. Instead, you get a wonderfully subtle yet distinct holiday cheer that prepares your palate for all the delicious feasting to come.
It’s more than just a drink; it’s an experience. This Cranberry Spice Sparkler delivers that warm, fuzzy feeling we all crave during the festive season – a feeling that’s particularly welcome when navigating the joys (and occasional challenges) of family gatherings.
The Perfect Blend of Holiday Flavors
This Cranberry Spice Sparkler cocktail is a symphony of classic holiday flavors. Let’s break down the magic:
- Cranberry: The vibrant, tart notes of cranberry are quintessential for the holidays. They provide a beautiful color and a refreshing counterpoint to richer festive foods. We’re using cranberry juice infused with spices to create a potent, flavorful base.
- Cinnamon Stick: Warm, aromatic, and comforting, cinnamon is the backbone of many holiday treats. In this cocktail, it adds a subtle sweetness and a wonderfully fragrant spice that lingers pleasantly.
- Star Anise: This unique spice offers a distinct licorice-like flavor with warm, sweet undertones. Visually stunning as a garnish or infused into the syrup, star anise elevates the cocktail’s complexity and festive appeal.
- Crystallized Ginger: A touch of ginger introduces a gentle warmth and a slightly spicy kick, complementing the other spices beautifully and adding a layer of sophisticated flavor.
- Vodka: A neutral spirit like vodka serves as the perfect canvas, allowing the spiced cranberry flavors to shine without interference.
- Champagne or Sparkling Wine: The effervescence is what makes this drink a “sparkler”! Choose your favorite dry or semi-dry champagne, prosecco, or Cava to top off this festive concoction. The bubbles add a celebratory feel and a delightful texture.
Essential Tools for Your Cranberry Spice Sparkler
Making this elegant cranberry cocktail is surprisingly straightforward, and you don’t need a professional bar setup. Here are a few must-have tools that will make the process even smoother:
- Measuring Beaker Set: When mixing any cocktail, precision is key. A reliable set like the nesting measuring beaker set from OXO is invaluable for accurately portioning your liquids, ensuring consistent flavor every time.
- Small Saucepan with Lid: To create the aromatic spiced cranberry juice base, you’ll need a small saucepan. The lid is crucial for steeping the spices, allowing them to infuse their flavors deeply into the juice. Any saucepan will do, as long as it has a tight-fitting lid.
- Fine Mesh Strainer: After steeping, you’ll want to remove the whole spices from your cranberry juice. A set of fine mesh strainers will efficiently filter out all the bits, leaving you with a smooth, clear, and perfectly spiced liquid for your cocktails.
- Champagne Flutes: While not strictly a “must-have” for making the drink, elegant champagne flutes are essential for serving this sparkler. They enhance the visual appeal, showcase the beautiful color, and help preserve the bubbles.
Crafting Your Delicious Cranberry Spice Sparkler
This recipe is designed for ease, allowing you to focus on enjoying your guests rather than slaving over complex drinks. The key is preparing the spiced cranberry juice in advance, so all that’s left is a quick assembly.
Make Spiced Cranberry Juice
The infused cranberry juice is the heart and soul of this cocktail. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of cranberry juice with one cinnamon stick, two whole star anise, and two 1-inch pieces of crystallized ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to begin releasing those wonderful aromas. After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it tightly with a lid, and let the spices steep for at least 30 minutes. This steeping process is crucial for extracting maximum flavor. Once steeped, strain the mixture to remove all the whole spices and ginger. Transfer the spiced cranberry juice to an airtight container and chill it in the refrigerator until thoroughly cold, which typically takes about an hour. You can prepare this spiced juice several days in advance, making holiday entertaining a breeze!
Assemble the Sparkler
Once your spiced cranberry juice is chilled and your guests are ready to toast, assembly is quick and simple. For each cranberry spice sparkler cocktail, pour 1 ounce of the chilled spiced cranberry mixture and 1/2 ounce of vodka into a champagne flute. Top the remaining space in the flute with your chosen champagne or sparkling wine. For a beautiful and festive touch, garnish each glass with a few fresh cranberries and, if you like, another whole star anise for visual appeal and a hint more fragrance. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful effervescence and holiday cheer!
Need some more inspiration for cocktails? Check out my booze recipes page for a variety of festive drinks!
Cranberry Spice Sparkler
5 mins
20 mins
25 mins
12 cocktails
Equipment
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Libbey Stemless Champagne Flute Glasses
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Cocktail Stirring Spoons
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Copper Hammered Finish Jigger
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 1- inch pieces of crystallized ginger
- 6 oz vodka
- Champagne or other dry sparkling wine (Prosecco, Cava)
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
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In a small saucepan, combine cranberry juice, cinnamon stick, star anise, and crystallized ginger. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cover the saucepan, allowing the spices to steep for at least 30 minutes. Once steeped, strain the liquid into an airtight container to remove all solid spices. Chill the spiced cranberry juice in the refrigerator until it is thoroughly cold, approximately 1 hour or more. This step can be done up to 3 days in advance.
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To assemble each cocktail, pour 1 ounce of the chilled spiced cranberry juice and 1/2 ounce of vodka into a champagne flute. Fill the remainder of the glass with chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and, if desired, a whole star anise or a thin slice of orange peel for extra flair. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Cranberry Spice Sparkler!
Booze, Cocktails, Holiday Drinks
Tips for the Perfect Holiday Sparkler
- Choose Your Bubbly Wisely: While champagne is classic, don’t hesitate to use a good quality Prosecco or Cava. A dry (Brut) or extra dry sparkling wine will balance the sweetness of the cranberry juice perfectly.
- Chill Everything: Ensure your spiced cranberry juice, vodka, and sparkling wine are all well-chilled before mixing. This prevents dilution and keeps your cocktail refreshing.
- Batch the Cranberry Juice: The spiced cranberry juice can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making party prep incredibly easy.
- Garnish Creatively: Fresh cranberries and star anise make for a stunning presentation. You could also add a sprig of fresh rosemary for an evergreen touch, or a twist of orange peel.
- Non-Alcoholic Option: For guests who prefer not to drink alcohol, simply omit the vodka and top the spiced cranberry juice with sparkling cider or non-alcoholic sparkling wine for a equally festive mocktail.
This Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail is more than just a drink; it’s a celebration in a glass. It’s simple enough for a casual get-together yet elegant enough for the grandest holiday dinner. So go ahead, mix up a batch, raise a glass, and toast to a season filled with joy, warmth, and delicious sips!
This recipe was originally part of the annual Blogsgiving Dinner, a wonderful virtual potluck where dozens of food bloggers come together to share their favorite holiday recipes. If you’re looking for more delicious inspiration for your holiday table, be sure to check out the full Blogsgiving menu!
A huge thank you to Susannah from Feast + West for her incredible work in helping to organize this fantastic event each year. Her dedication helps bring so many amazing holiday recipes to life for everyone to enjoy.
P.S. If you’re a blogger interested in joining the Blogsgiving fun next year, we’d love to have you! Everyone is welcome at our festive table. 🙂