How to Make Cranberry-Infused Vodka

Ingredients

• 1½ cups fresh cranberries, slightly crushed
• 750mL vodka
• Two large clean bottles or jars
• Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
• Funnel

Instructions

1. In a colander, wash the cranberries. Allow to air dry or pat them dry with a paper towel to remove moisture that will dilute the flavor of your vodka.
2. Add the cranberries to a clean jar or bottle and pour the vodka over the top.
3. Add a lid and swirl the container to gently mix.
4. Now it's time to wait. Store the vodka in a cool, dark place for a few days, swirling the container gently each day. Generally, the vodka will be ready in three to four days, but it's a matter of personal taste.
5. Starting at day three, pour a little vodka into a glass and take a taste. Is it bursting with the cranberry flavor you're seeking? If yes, then move on with the steps. If not, give it another day and try again.
6. When you achieve the flavor you want, strain through a strainer or fine-mesh sieve into another clean container you can pour from (such as a large liquid measuring cup) to remove the large pieces of cranberry.
7. Now, pop a funnel into the clean container that you'll store your vodka in and line it with cheesecloth. Pour the vodka through the funnel, allowing the cheesecloth to filter smaller particles so you have a refined finished product. Seal your container and make sure you label it and add a date.
8. Sometimes you can't wait to take a taste, so you can use your cranberry vodka right away. You can also store any unused portions in a sealed container. Put it in a cool, dark spot where it will keep for a year or two without losing any flavor. If it starts to taste wonky or the cranberry flavor fades (or the color starts to look a little funky), it's probably time to discard your vodka and make a new batch.

Variations of Cranberry-Infused Vodka

Capitalize on the tart cranberry flavors with sweeter fruits and spices, or take it to an earthy place with herbs and nuts.

• Cranberry can be pretty tart. So, if you want something sweeter, add up to three tablespoons of sugar to make your cranberry vodka a little sweeter. You can also use a quarter to half cup of honey simple syrup or maple syrup. Add it after you've removed the cranberries. Be sure to add a little at a time and taste to make sure you don't overshoot the mark for sweetness.
• Give your cranberry vodka a spiced touch with three whole sticks of cinnamon, a tablespoon of cloves, a quarter cup of fresh peeled and sliced ginger, or a tablespoon and a half of whole star anise.
• A touch of nuttiness creates new and unexpected depth in cranberry vodka. Add a half cup of coarsely chopped almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or shelled pistachios.
• Cranberry's tart flavor profile blends beautifully with herbs. Add three sprigs of fresh rosemary or five sprigs of fresh mint to the vodka when you infuse it.
• Stick to fruit flavors by adding a whole, sliced apple or pear. Likewise, use a full cup of sliced apricot or peach.
• Include a little citrus flavor by adding two to three whole sliced lemons, limes, or tangerines. Likewise, a whole, sliced orange can also be an option.

Cranberry-Infused Vodka Cocktails

Whether you keep your vodka bitter or add a little sweetness, cranberry vodka cocktails are as delicious as they are visually stunning.

Not-Your-Average Cosmo

You've been drinking the same cosmo since college, and it's time you took it into the modern era.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cranberry-infused vodka
• ½ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce peach liqueur
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ ounce cranberry juice
• Ice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cranberry vodka, orange liqueur, peach liqueur, lemon juice, and cranberry juice.
3. Shake to chill.
4. Strain into chilled glass.
5. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Cranberry Mule

Give your mule a little extra cranberry kick and a splash more of lime juice to bring the tart flavors to a whole new level.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cranberry-infused vodka
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Ice
• Ginger beer to top off
• Lime wedge, cranberries, and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass or copper mug, add cranberry vodka and lime juice.
2. Top off with ginger beer.
3. Stir to mix.
4. Garnish with lime wedge, cranberries, and rosemary sprig.

Jackie's Cape Codder

There's nothing wrong with a classic Cape Codder, but this one adds a touch of elegance.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cranberry-infused vodka
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• ¾ ounce amaretto
• ¼ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
• Ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass, add ice, cranberry vodka, cranberry juice, amaretto, and lemon juice.
2. Stir to mix.
3. Garnish with mint sprig.

Sweet as Pie

A little sweet, a little bitter, a little sour -- you have cranberry pie in a glass. Crusts need not apply.

Ingredients

• 1½ ounces cranberry-infused vodka
• ¾ ounce vanilla vodka
• ½ ounce cranberry juice
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• Ice
• Lemon ribbon for garnish

Instructions

1. In a rocks glass, add ice, cranberry vodka, vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake to chill.
3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with lemon ribbon.

Mixers for Cranberry Vodka Drinks

There are plenty of mixer options for those who love cranberry's tart flavors and those who want something a little sweeter.

• Plain club soda
• Flavored club soda, such as lemon, lime, orange, berry, vanilla, or coconut
• Tonic water
• Cola
• Lemon-lime soda
• Orange juice
• Pineapple juice
• Cranberry juice
• Watermelon juice
• Coconut water
• Jams
• Ginger beer
• Ginger ale
• Honey liqueur
• Lemonade
• Limeade
• Maple syrup
• Orange liqueur
• Peach nectar
• Pear nectar

A Perfectly Tart Cranberry-Infused Vodka

Cranberry is the unsung hero of the berry world. Its tart flavors sometimes get a bad wrap until Thanksgiving rolls around, and people can't get enough of the cranberry sauce. Remind yourself and your social media feed that cranberry is a star anytime, any day in a cocktail.