Festive cranberry manhattan: a holiday cocktail recipe - Rhubarbarians (2024)

Published: Nov 2, 2023 · Modified: Dec 5, 2023 by Trish Bozeman · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

Festive cranberry manhattan recipe! A vibrant holiday cocktail that is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations.

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Hi, Rhubarbarians! The holiday season is here, and with it comes the joy of celebrating with family and friends, decorating our homes, and, of course, indulging in dangerously delicious cocktails like this cranberry holiday manhattan. Ahem.... this cranhattan, lol.

'Tis the season for twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and the delightful clinking of glasses. This cranberry manhattan, with its vibrant color and tart flavor is a festive twist on a manhattan cocktail. We add cranberry juice and fresh orange to the classic whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings or just sipping in a cozy chair by the Christmas tree.

If you've got the time, I highly recommend making this with homemade cranberry orange infused bourbon. Swap it for the whiskey and cranberry juice in the recipe. Absolute cocktail perfection!

Why you'll love this

Crafting a signature Thanksgiving cocktail or Christmas cocktail is simpler than you might think, and this one is perfect for both! It's ruby red, tart with cranberry flavor, and is sophisticated without being difficult to make.

• Vibrant and festive: The vibrant crimson color and the festive blend of flavors with the whiskey, cranberry, and vermouth are perfect for holiday celebrations.
• Easy to make: While it may look like a fancy cocktail you'd find at a swanky bar, this one is easy to make at home.
• Versatile for the holidays: Whether you're hosting a Christmas dinner or planning a Friendsgiving feast, the cranberry manhattan is appropriate for either holiday, or both!

Try these holiday recipes next:

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Ingredients and equipment

Here is everything you need to make this festive cocktail at home like a pro. Full ingredient amounts with instructions are listed here in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.

Ingredients:

• Orange: just a small piece of the peel.
• Ice: only for the shaker. No need to use fancy ice.
• Whiskey: use your favorite rye, bourbon, or whiskey.
• Cranberry juice: sweetened is best unless you like unsweetened better.
• Sweet vermouth: your favorite red vermouth.
• Angostura bitters: just a few dashes.
• Fresh cranberries: optional for garnish.

Equipment:

• Peeler: for peeling a piece of the orange peel. I just use a regular OXO peeler.
• Cocktail shaker with lid and strainer: for shaking the cocktail. Here is a cocktail shaker set with jigger you can buy.
• Jigger: for measuring liquids.
• Cocktail glass: for serving. I adore these vintage style martini glasses!
• Garnish picks: optional for garnish. I like these simple ones.

Step by step instructions

Here is a step-by-step guide to making a cranberry manhattan. Full instructions with ingredient amounts are listed here in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.

• Peel a 1-2 inch piece of the peel from an orange.
• Then, rub the outside of the orange peel around the rim of your cocktail glass. I like to put the peel into the glass afterwards or you can discard it.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add the whiskey, cranberry juice, vermouth, and bitters.
• Shake well until the outside of your cocktail shaker is frosty and very cold.
• Replace the lid of the cocktail shaker with a cocktail strainer and pour into your cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a cocktail pick of fresh, frozen, or sugared cranberries (optional).

Serving suggestions

I love making this cocktail for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, but also love making just one or two to enjoy on chilly fall nights at home. Here are some tips for serving:

• Chilled glasses: Serve it in a well-chilled martini or coupe glass for an extra touch of elegance. Pop your cocktail glasses in the freezer for a while before pouring, and you'll have a nice and frosty drink.
• Garnishes: Nothing makes a cocktail feel fancier than gorgeous garnishes! Add a cocktail pick with some frosted or sugared cranberries on the rim of the glass or a twist of orange peel and a few cranberries to the drink. Check out these 5 easy orange garnishes for inspiration.
• Food pairings: Pair your holiday manhattan with some fall appetizers! Think of savory bites like cheese platters, nuts, cranberry glazed meatballs, or something sweet like holiday hand pies.

Need to make a big batch? No problem! Forget the cocktail shaker and make a large batch of the cocktail in a pitcher. Serve over ice for guests.

Recipe tips and substitutions

• Level up the whiskey: swap the whiskey and cranberry juice for 3 ounces of homemade cranberry orange infused bourbon!
• Customize the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, simply add a bit more cranberry juice. For those who like it less sweet, go for unsweetened cranberry juice.
• Choose your whiskey: whiskey choice plays a significant role in the cocktail's flavor. While rye whiskey is the classic choice, feel free to experiment with other whiskey varieties like bourbon or even a smoky scotch. Just choose one that you enjoy.
• Add more orange: squeeze a bit of fresh orange juice into the cocktail or try orange bitters rather than angostura bitters for more orange flavor.
• Sip it: Finally, the most important tip is to savor every sip. This one is meant to be enjoyed slowly, allowing you to slow down and enjoy the magic of the holiday season. Cheers!

FAQs

Have a question? You may find your answer here!Feel free to ask questions in thecomments sectionat the bottom of this article and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Here are even more Christmas whiskey cocktails to try this holiday season!

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Recipe

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