Cranberry Vodka Sour Cocktail Recipe

Honestly, I’m a big fan of mixing up cocktails that are easy but still look good in a glass. The Cranberry Vodka Sour totally hits that sweet spot.

It’s got tart cranberry, smooth vodka, and just enough citrus to pull it all together. You only need a handful of ingredients, which is always a win.

No need for fancy gadgets or anything hard to find. I’ll show you exactly how I make it at home—step by step, nothing complicated.

What I really like about this drink is how the cranberry brings out this bright, almost punchy flavor. It pairs so well with the sour notes.

Once you give it a try, I think you’ll see why it’s such a reliable option for chill nights or even a little get-together.

Cranberry Vodka Sour Cocktail Recipe

I usually whip this up when I’m craving something tart, super refreshing, and not a hassle to mix. There’s a nice balance between the cranberry juice, vodka, and lime—keeps it crisp but not overpowering.

Works for pretty much any laid-back occasion.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker – I always use this to get everything mixed up just right.
• Jigger or measuring tool – Honestly, it helps keep the portions from getting out of hand.
• Highball glass or rocks glass – I lean toward a highball glass if I want a taller drink.
• Strainer – Makes pouring smoother, no stray ice chunks.
• Bar spoon – Handy if I’m stirring in sparkling water for a lighter vibe.
• Citrus juicer – Way easier for squeezing fresh lime juice.
• Ice cubes – Can’t skip these for chilling.

I like to have all my tools ready before I start. Just makes everything flow better.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka (plain is good, but citrus vodka adds a nice twist)
• 1 oz cranberry juice (I go for unsweetened—keeps things tart)
• 1 oz lime juice (fresh is definitely best)
• ½ oz simple syrup (tweak it if you want it sweeter)
• Ice cubes for shaking and serving
• Optional: splash of sparkling water if you want it a bit lighter
• Garnish: lime wedge or a couple of fresh cranberries

Sometimes I’ll use cranberry vodka if I want to double down on the cranberry flavor. Why not, right?

Instructions

• Fill your cocktail shaker about halfway with ice cubes.
• Pour in the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
• Give it a good shake—like 15 seconds, until the shaker’s nice and cold.
• Strain it into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• If you’re feeling it, top with a splash of sparkling water for a little fizz.
• Garnish with a lime wedge or toss a few cranberries on there.

I always serve it right away—best when it’s icy cold.

Notes

Personally, I stick with unsweetened cranberry juice. Keeps the drink sharp, not sickly sweet.

If someone’s got a sweet tooth, I’ll just add a bit more simple syrup. No big deal.

Citrus vodka makes it brighter, but plain vodka totally works. I’ll swap between lime wedges and cranberries for garnish, depending on what’s in the fridge.

If I’m making a bunch for friends, I mix the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and syrup in a pitcher. Then I shake each serving with ice before pouring.

Keeps everything fresh, and nobody’s waiting too long for a refill.

Tasting Notes

So, that first sip? It’s got this crisp snap—like tart cranberry juice cocktail meeting smooth vodka, head-on. Honestly, it’s pretty close to your basic vodka cranberry, but there’s this brighter spark from the fresh citrus that just wakes it up.

It comes across light and super refreshing, kind of like a cape cod or cape codder, if you’ve had those. The extra sour note gives it more character, though.

I’m a fan of how the cranberry doesn’t bulldoze the vodka; instead, you get this clean, almost snappy finish.

The texture’s smooth, but there’s a little tang that hangs around on your tongue. If you chill it, the cranberry cocktail somehow gets even more refreshing—perfect for a hot afternoon or just a lazy evening, honestly.

There’s a gentle sweetness in there, too, which softens up the tartness just enough. It never gets cloying or syrupy, so it still feels like a real cocktail, not some kind of sugar bomb.

Flavor highlights I notice:

• Tart cranberry balanced with mild sweetness
• Bright citrus that lifts the drink
• Clean vodka that adds structure without overpowering