A Cranberry Shrub Cocktail has become one of my favorite beverages to sip on during the holidays, and it's for good reason! Not only is it not too strong and has incredible flavor, but it has a wow factor. Between the garnishes and the choice of cocktail glass, you can create a truly show-stopping cocktail for your guests.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Cocktail
- ⏱️ Make Time: 15 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 1
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Bright, tart, and lightly sweet with a crisp, tangy finish.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Roasted meats, cheese boards, or holiday appetizers.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Make the cranberry shrub a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge.
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I have to admit that I make this often just for my partner and me to enjoy, too. I promise that it really is just that delicious. From the tart cranberries to the warm bourbon, and the subtle sweetness and depth of the maple syrup, each sip is cozy.
Try our white chocolate cranberry fudge and cranberry pretzel salad for more recipes featuring cranberries.
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you about one of our newest drinks to celebrate the holidays with. Our cranberry margarita is hands down one of the best I've tried in my life. Check it out and give me some feedback!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It tastes like the holidays: The tart cranberry flavor, mixed with the warm allspice and bourbon, creates a delightful flavor profile that perfectly suits Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
- It's customizable: You can switch ingredients to make this cranberry shrub recipe your own.
- It's great for parties: I love making this cocktail when entertaining guests. It not only tastes good, but the presentation is stunning!
Ingredients
These are the key ingredients for the homemade cranberry shrub and the cocktail. You'll find them at the grocery store and any liquor store.
- Cranberries: I like frozen cranberries for this because you don't have to worry about their freshness. Plus, it will be added to a saucepan and cooked down to make the cranberry shrub anyway!
- Allspice berries: Whole allspice berries provide the most authentic flavor, but you may use ½ teaspoon of ground allspice in a pinch.
- Apple cider vinegar: This is my favorite vinegar to use in this cranberry shrub recipe because it's sweet and the acidity provides balance. Balsamic or red wine vinegar works as a substitute, too.
- Bourbon: Any brand of bourbon is fine for this cocktail. It adds a lovely warmth and bold flavor to balance the sweet and tart syrup.
- Maple syrup: I like the depth and sweetness of maple syrup in this recipe, but honey works too!
- Bitters: Angostura bitters are my go-to choice for this drink because it has lovely herbal notes that work so well. Orange bitters are tasty as well.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Cranberry shrub mocktail: Make a non-alcoholic version by swapping the bourbon and bitters for apple juice and ginger beer. Club soda works great, too.
- Cranberry cherry shrub: Add frozen cherries to the shrub for extra tart flavor.
- Cranberry spiced apple: Infuse the cranberry shrub with a cinnamon stick and garnish the finished drink with apple slices.
How to Make a Cranberry Shrub Cocktail
Here are the instructions on how to prepare and serve your cranberry cocktail. Make sure you have plenty of ice for the cocktail shaker and cocktail glass.
Step 1: Prepare and strain the cranberry shrub. Add the ingredients to a saucepan and bring them to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce them to a simmer for 8-10 minutes. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and pour in the apple cider vinegar.
Step 2: Pour ingredients into the shaker. While the shrub chills in the fridge, pour the maple syrup, bitters, and bourbon into a cocktail shaker with ice. Then, add the chilled cranberry shrub syrup.
Step 3: Shake and pour. Shake your cocktail mixture until it chills, and then pour it into a cocktail glass.
Step 4: Garnish and serve. Top your drink with sugared cranberries, fresh rosemary, and an orange peel. Sip and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Chill everything: Keep the cranberry shrub, cocktail glasses, and even the alcohol in the refrigerator until you're ready to prepare and serve. This keeps the drink perfectly cold longer.
- Make the shrub ahead: Sometimes, I like to make the cranberry shrub a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge. Then, you can mix the cranberry cocktail when you want.
- Prepare a large batch: If you are serving it to a crowd, mix and pour it into a pitcher. Serve it over ice!
If you want another tasty cocktail to bring in the holidays, I highly recommend a winter sangria. Our Grinch cocktail is worth checking out as well.
Oh, and don't forget about one of our latest and greatest cocktails. It's the gingerbread martini and it's sure to be a hit at all holiday celebrations.
Serving Suggestions
- Prepare a delicious holiday dinner featuring bourbon-glazed ham or herb-garlic lamb rack to pair with this cranberry cocktail.
- Try adding this homemade cranberry syrup to make it even sweeter.
- Another cranberry recipe that you can pair with this drink is cranberry sauce muffins.
- Keep it simple with pumpkin chili as a comforting meal and finish with a cocktail!
If you enjoy showing off your bartending skills with drinks like this, you may want to try serving our love potion cocktail. It's tasty and mysterious in an oh so special way. A definite hit with the masses.
Recipe FAQs
Cranberry shrub is a concentrated homemade cranberry syrup used in a variety of cocktails. It typically consists of sugar and vinegar for sweetness and tang.
Low-quality cider vinegar can have a strong sour taste. Plus, if you don't cook the cranberry shrub long enough, it can be more tart and sour than sweet.
Of course! Add an extra splash of bourbon or dark rum to make the cocktail stronger.
More Delicious Drink Recipes
Do you like drink recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cranberry Shrub Cocktail
Ingredients
Shrub:
- 1 ½ cup frozen cranberries
- ½ cup water
- 100 grams granulated sugar about ½ cup
- 1 tablespoon all-spice berries
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar high quality
Cranberry Shrub Cocktail:
- 3- ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce cranberry shrub
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 1-2 dashes Angostrua bitters
Garnish:
- Fresh rosemary
- Orange peel or slice
Instructions
- Make your cranberry shrub by adding cranberries, water, sugar and all-spice berries into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce to keep a low simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Lightly squish some of the cranberries as it cooks down.
- Strain once or twice into a measuring cup or airtight container then pour in apple cider vinegar. Store in the fridge or chill enough to make a cocktail without melting ice.
- Make your cranberry cocktail by adding ice to a cocktail shaker and pour in bourbon, cranberry shrub, maple syrup and a dash of orange bitters.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a coup glass or a lowball glass with ice.
Notes
- Add an extra splash of bourbon or dark rum to make your cocktail stronger.
- Chill all of the ingredients and supplies to keep your beverage cold longer.
- Prepare a pitcher to serve to a crowd instead of a single serving.
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