Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary Cocktails

Name: Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary Cocktails
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: thanksgiving
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 4 large fresh rosemary sprigs; peel from 2 clementines; 1/2 clementine, halved (2 quarters) *see note; 1 small sprig rosemary; 1 1/2 ounces vodka; 1/2 ounce simple syrup (use more or less to taste); 2 ounces 100% unsweetened cranberry juice (NOT cranberry cocktail); ice; 3-4 oz club soda OR dry sparkling wine for topping; fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional); 8 clementines, quartered *see note; 8 large rosemary sprigs; 3 cups vodka; 1 cup simple syrup (add more or less to taste); 4 cups 100% unsweetened cranberry juice (NOT cranberry cocktail); ice; Club soda OR dry sparkling wine for topping (2-3 bottles); fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe

This festive Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary cocktail is just what you need to make it through this holiday season. Use up that box of clementines on your counter and create a cocktail It's bright, bubbly and perfect for celebrating!

glass of light pink drink with ice, fresh cranberries and rosemary on dark wooden background

Cranberries are synonymous with the holidays because of their seasonality and bright ruby red color. I have more festive cranberry recipes like my Easy Cranberry Almond Tart, my Cranberry Meyer lemon Pie with Gingersnap Crust and Easy Sugared Cranberries which make a gorgeous shimmery garnish! If making the sugared cranberry garnish, you can reuse the simple syrup to make this cocktail.

Why this recipe works

Utilizes whole clementines for both juice as well as the oils from their skin.
An aromatic simple syrup adds lots of flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.
Made with vodka because it's clean and doesn't compete with the other ingredients.
Can be batch made in advance for easy entertaining.
Bubbles are added right before serving to keep the drinks fizzy.
Easily adaptable proportions to suit your taste.
Recipe makes a single cocktail or a pitcher to serve 16.

cocktails, clementines, sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs on a dark wooden background

Essential Ingredients

Clementines - I always have a box of them on my counter in the fall and they have thin, easy-to-muddle skin. Substitute mandarins, tangerines, satsumas or navel oranges in a pinch.
100% Unsweetened Cranberry Juice - This is super important for achieving a cocktail that's not too sweet. Avoid cranberry cocktail juice.
Rosemary - Fresh only - dried won't work here.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Make a flavored simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water in a pot along with fresh rosemary and clementine peels. Simmer on low until the sugar dissolves, then let steep until cool. Strain.

overhead close up of simple syrup with orange peel and rosemary

2. For a single drink: Muddle clementines and rosemary in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, cranberry juice, simple syrup and ice, then give it a good shake for about 10 seconds.

For a pitcher: Muddle clementines and rosemary in the bottom of a pitcher (OR in a pint glass or cocktail shaker if easier, then transfer to the pitcher). Add vodka, cranberry juice and simple syrup, then stir until everything is well combined. train into another pitcher to remove solids.

3. Add ice to glasses, then pour in the cocktail (use a strainer if pouring from the shaker). Top with sparkling wine or club soda, garnish with a rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries and enjoy!

close up of Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary cocktail with rosemary sprig sticking out and sugared cranberries in the foreground

Faq

Can this be made as a mocktail without alcohol?

Yes! Just replace the vodka with equal parts cranberry juice and club soda OR with a non alcoholic spirit such as Seedlip.

Can this be made with another spirit than vodka?

Yes! I prefer vodka but this can work well with gin, tequila or mezcal.

Can I leave out the rosemary if I don't like it?

Absolutely. It adds a nice earthy, herbal quality to the drink, but you can skip it altogether or replace it with fresh thyme instead.

overhead shot of cocktail with sugared cranberries and a clementine on dark wooden background

Did you make this recipe and LOVE it? Please leave a star ⭐️ rating and/or comment to help other readers. I absolutely love hearing from you and do my best to answer all questions and comments. I love seeing when you make my recipes, so please tag me @ColeyCooks on Instagram and I will repost!