Cranberry Whiskey Smash Cocktail Recipe

I love making cocktails that strike just the right balance between tart and sweet. A Cranberry Whiskey Smash is always a crowd-pleaser at my parties.

This easy recipe brings together the boldness of whiskey and the brightness of fresh cranberry. It works for pretty much any occasion, whether it’s a casual night in or a festive bash.

If you’re a fan of whiskey sours or want a fresh take on cranberry cocktails, you should definitely give this one a try.

It sort of reminds me of those holiday drinks like sangria or even a jingle bell smash. But honestly, this cranberry whiskey smash is easier to make and tastes super refreshing.

I find myself craving it in the summer, not just around the holidays. The flavors are balanced, not too heavy, and just a bit lively.

Here’s what you’ll need to mix up this cocktail at home, plus a quick rundown on how I like to shake it up:

Cranberry Whiskey Smash Cocktail Recipe

Honestly, I don’t want a cocktail that’s syrupy or overly sweet. This Cranberry Whiskey Smash nails that refreshing vibe every time.

It’s got tart cranberries, smooth bourbon, and a little herbal or citrus kick. Using fresh stuff and a couple of basic tools makes the whole thing more fun, too.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker (or just use a mason jar with a tight lid)
• Muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon if that’s what you’ve got)
• Bar strainer
• Jigger or any small measuring cup
• Short glasses (Old-Fashioned or rocks glasses work great)
• Small knife and cutting board
• Ice crusher (or improvise with a bag and rolling pin)
• Citrus juicer (optional, for the lime or lemon)

I use the shaker to really mix things up, and the muddler gets the flavors out of the mint, cranberries, or citrus. Crushed ice chills the drink fast, which I love.

A strainer helps keep big fruit chunks out of the glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon whiskey (rye or another whiskey is fine too)
• 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened or sweetened, your call)
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (maple syrup or rosemary syrup are fun swaps)
• Fresh cranberries (just a small handful)
• 2-3 mint leaves or a rosemary sprig
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (or lemon juice if you prefer)
• Crushed ice
• Club soda, ginger beer, or ginger ale (a splash, if you want bubbles)
• Granulated sugar or cranberry syrup (optional for rimming or garnish)
• Orange slice, lemon twist, or mint sprig for garnish

Freshly squeezed juice and fresh herbs really make a difference here. If you like it sweeter, go for regular cranberry juice or toss in a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

Instructions

• Drop the cranberries and mint (or rosemary) into your shaker.
• Add simple syrup and muddle gently until the berries pop and release juice.
• Pour in the bourbon, cranberry juice, and lime or lemon juice.
• Toss in a good amount of crushed ice.
• Shake it up for about 15 seconds so it’s nice and cold.
• Strain into a short glass packed with more crushed ice.
• (Optional) Top with club soda, ginger beer, or ginger ale for some fizz.
• Garnish with cranberries, a citrus twist, mint, or rosemary—whatever’s handy.

Sometimes I’ll rim the glass with sugar or cranberry syrup if I’m feeling fancy. The garnish changes depending on what’s in my fridge.

Notes

If I want it less sweet, I stick with unsweetened cranberry juice and cut back on the syrup. Bourbon gives the drink that warm, rounded flavor, but rye adds a bit of spice.

Swapping in rosemary simple syrup or maple syrup totally changes the vibe. Mint is fresh and cooling, but rosemary is bold and earthy.

Occasionally I’ll use a spoonful of leftover cranberry sauce—why not? Crushed ice waters things down a touch but keeps it icy cold.

I play around with the citrus, using lime for more tartness or lemon for a little zing. When I’m making these for a group, I just double or triple everything and shake up a big batch.

Tasting Notes

When I take that first sip, the cranberry jumps out—tart, fresh, and just tangy enough to wake up my taste buds.

Right after, the whiskey shows up, bringing some warmth and smoothness that settles in nicely. It sort of balances out the cranberry’s sharpness, without either one taking over.

There’s a little mint from the garnish, too. It’s subtle but adds a cool, herbal vibe that makes the whole thing feel extra refreshing.

The finish? Pretty clean, honestly, with a lingering cranberry note. It’s not too sweet, not too sour—just kind of right in the middle.

If you serve it over ice, the chill really seems to brighten everything up. It’s easy to drink, but it’s got enough character to keep things interesting.

And honestly, I love how it looks. That deep red with the mint on top just feels festive—holiday or not.