This warm spiced cranberry cocktail is easy to make but so tasty, with or without alcohol. A perfect way to get in the festive spirit and warm you through.

Warm spiced cranberry cocktail or mocktail with cranberries on cocktail sticks and spices around glass in front of Christmas tree

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Many years ago now I remember one night when I met up with a friend in London we opted to meet in a small Cuban-themed bar/restaurant. It was a cold, windy mid-week night and most sensible people had gone home rather than out for after-work drinks.

But we hadn't seen each other in a while so by the bar we perched. I think the barman was looking to make the evening pass by a bit more quickly and he offered to make us some warm cocktails.

Warm spiced cranberry cocktail or mocktail viewed from overhead with ginger, cinnamon sticks and cranberries around glass

We were intrigued and agreed.

It turned out to be a great choice as the drinks were both delicious and perfect for the weather. I'm not sure if we were told what was in the various drinks, but all were good. We had a couple each, all different, which he made after asking us a couple questions about our tastes.

Certainly now, years later, I can't remember quite what they were like but they inspired this spiced cranberry cocktail which, if I say so myself, is a pretty fantastic drink. You can have it either alcoholic or non, the alcoholic version just has a bit more of a kick, clearly.

glass of warm spiced cranberry cocktail in front of Christmas tree with spices around glass

Why warm cocktails?

Warm cocktails are such a great idea for cold weather as the warmth really works its way all through you but for whatever reason they don't seem to have become a trend. Or I guess more accurately, they have gone out of fashion.

Long before our time they were popular and there are only a few remnants like hot toddys and mulled wine/glogg around to remind us. Maybe it's pure logistics of warming drinks in a bar, but it's a shame.

But you don't have to miss out at home! And given it's the festive season, now is the time if ever there was, particularly for a cranberry cocktail.

How to make a warm cranberry cocktail

This is a very easy cocktail/mocktail as all you do is gently warm the juices and spices together to infuse their flavor. Then, add your alcohol before serving (as otherwise the alcohol may boil off).

You can adapt the alcohol part to taste - I think either rum or gin would work best here (I know they are a bit different but they both pair well), but you could also try it with your favorite spirit if you prefer and see how you like it. I used some of our cranberry gin for an extra bit of seasonal spirit but regular gin would be fine.

It's amazing how a gently warm and spiced drink can both get you in the festive mood and warm you through to your toes - not that we need warming today, it's a strangely warm Christmas here this year but we'll take it.

Warm spiced cranberry cocktail with cranberries on cocktail stick as garnish from overhead with spices to side of glass

I know there's enough festive excitement in my toddler for the lot of us, but I'll be having a glass of this spiced cranberry cocktail to help me get in the spirit. It's warming deliciousness is so good.

Try these other festive cocktails:

Cranberry sangria
Warm pomegranate punch
Cranberry whiskey sour
Cranberry Moscow mule
I also love the sound of a Holiday ginger flip from The Gastronom and Cranberry bourbon negroni from Climbing Grier Mountain.
Plus get many more cocktail recipes in the archives.

glass of warm cranberry cocktail viewed form overhead with cranberries on stick as garnish

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Warm spiced cranberry cocktail (or mocktail)

This drink has warming, seasonal flavors, with or without a little kick.

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Total Time10

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 246kcal

Author: Caroline's Cooking

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Ingredients

6 fl oz cranberry juice
3 fl oz orange juice
½ cinnamon stick
2 cloves
1 slice fresh ginger
1 teaspoon honey
1 ½ fl oz rum or gin, optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the cranberry juice, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves and ginger in a small pan and warm gently until it comes to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer a couple minutes.
Remove from the heat, add the honey and rum/gin, if using, stir in and strain the spices off as you serve in a glass.
Note - if you are making a larger batch, you can instead, if you prefer, heat it in a slow cooker over around 2 hours on low using the same proportion of juices but not quite as many spices (so eg 24oz cranberry juice, 12oz orange juice with 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cloves and 2-3 slices of ginger).

Notes

By cranberry juice I mean the sweeter drink )often called cranberry cocktail) that you'll find readily available in most supermarkets rather than the 100% pure cranberry juice.

Nutrition

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. In many locations, you can have wine, spirits and more delivered to your door with Drizly.

Warm spiced cranberry cocktail (or mocktail)