Cranberry Sage Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

I’ll admit, making cocktails at home is one of my favorite ways to unwind, especially when the recipe feels both easy and a little bit special. Around the holidays, I’m always looking for drinks that feel festive without being fussy.

The Cranberry Sage Gin Fizz has this bright, refreshing taste—tart cranberries mixed with earthy sage. It’s honestly perfect for a holiday party or, honestly, just a cozy night on the couch.

What really makes this drink pop is the combo of fresh herbs and fruit. The club soda adds a lively fizz, and the sage brings a twist that’s hard to forget.

I’m genuinely excited to walk you through how simple it is to whip up this cocktail in your own kitchen.

Cranberry Sage Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

This cocktail blends tart cranberry juice with the fresh snap of sage and the crispness of gin. With just a handful of easy ingredients and simple tools, you can create a drink that works year-round.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Fine mesh strainer
• Jigger or shot glass (for measuring)
• Muddler (to crush sage leaves)
• Bar spoon (for stirring)
• Highball or Collins glass
• Ice cubes

I always double-check that my cocktail shaker is clean before I start. It’s kind of essential for mixing things well.

A strainer helps keep stray sage bits out of my glass, which I appreciate. If I don’t have a muddler handy, the back of a spoon does the trick for crushing those sage leaves.

Ice is a must for keeping everything chilled. A jigger makes measuring less of a guessing game and helps keep the flavors balanced.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened works best)
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3-4 sage leaves, plus extra for garnish
• Club soda or soda water (to top)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
• Lemon wheel or rosemary sprig (optional garnish)

Fresh lemon juice just makes everything brighter, in my opinion. I usually go for unsweetened cranberry juice for that sharp tartness, but if all I have is sweetened, I’ll use it.

Extra sage and cranberries on top really make the drink look festive. Sometimes I toss in a rosemary sprig too, just for that extra herbal aroma.

Instructions

• Place sage leaves and simple syrup in the shaker.
• Gently muddle to release the sage flavor.
• Add gin, cranberry juice, and lemon juice to the shaker.
• Fill the shaker with ice.
• Shake well for about 15 seconds.
• Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
• Top with club soda or soda water.
• Stir gently with a bar spoon.
• Garnish with cranberries, extra sage leaves, a lemon wheel, or rosemary.

When I make this, I shake until the shaker feels cold in my hands. Pouring it over fresh ice keeps everything crisp and fizzy.

I always add the club soda last to keep those bubbles alive. The finishing touch? A handful of pretty garnishes.

Notes

Sometimes I swap in rosemary for sage if I’m in the mood for a different herbal vibe. Simple syrup is just sugar and water—equal parts, stirred until it’s clear.

Fresh sage is best for flavor, but if I only have dried, I use a bit less since it’s stronger. If I want a sweeter drink, I’ll add more simple syrup or just use sweetened cranberry juice.

For something lighter, I top up with extra club soda. This recipe is easy to double if you’ve got friends over.

I always taste and tweak the lemon juice or syrup until it’s just right for me—finding that balance between tart and sweet is half the fun.

Tasting Notes

When I take a sip of the Cranberry Sage Gin Fizz, the tartness of cranberry jumps out right away. There’s this gentle sharpness that wakes up my taste buds, making the whole drink feel crisp and a bit playful.

The gin’s present, but it doesn’t try to steal the show. Those fresh, pine-like notes are subtle, weaving in with the cranberry and keeping each sip kind of intriguing.

Sage brings in a soft herbal vibe that really rounds things out. Sometimes, honestly, I notice the scent of sage even before I take a drink—it adds this earthy, almost woodsy aroma that I can’t help but like.

The fizz is what keeps it feeling light and bubbly. I swear, those tiny bubbles somehow make everything taste even brighter.

The color’s honestly pretty lovely—a soft pink, with a pop of green from the sage. The smell is just as good, with fruity and herbal scents mingling together.

If you’re into drinks that balance tart and herbal flavors, this one’s worth a try. The cranberry and sage combo really makes it stand out, at least in my book.