Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash: The Perfect Fall Cocktail
Jump to Recipe
Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
When the weather turns cool and the leaves begin to change, there is something especially inviting about a cocktail filled with the flavors and colors of fall.
This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash combines tart cranberry, juicy orange, smooth bourbon, a touch of maple syrup, and aromatic bitters to create a beautiful autumn cocktail that tastes just as good as it looks.
It is festive enough to serve at Thanksgiving or a fall dinner party, but simple enough to make on a quiet evening at home. The deep ruby cranberry color makes it especially beautiful for entertaining, while fresh orange and rosemary give it an elegant seasonal finish.
Best of all, you do not need complicated ingredients or bartending skills to make it.
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Why You'll Love This Fall Cocktail
This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash has everything you want in a seasonal drink.
It is slightly tart, lightly sweet, citrusy, warming, and refreshing at the same time. Bourbon gives the cocktail its cozy fall character without overpowering the cranberry and orange.
It is also easy to customize. Make it sweeter, more tart, stronger, lighter, or sparkling depending on what you prefer.
Perfect for Fall Entertaining
The gorgeous cranberry color makes this drink a natural choice for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Halloween gatherings, fall dinner parties, and autumn cocktail nights. Pair it with a delicious Apple Cider Donut Cake.
It also looks impressive with very little effort.
Add a fresh rosemary sprig, a few cranberries, and an orange slice, and you have a cocktail that looks like it came from a restaurant or cocktail bar.
What Does a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash Taste Like?
The first flavor you notice is bright cranberry and orange, followed by the warm caramel and vanilla notes of bourbon.
Maple syrup softens the tartness of the cranberry without making the cocktail overly sweet. A few dashes of aromatic bitters add depth and a subtle layer of fall spice.
The result is a balanced cocktail that is fruity without tasting sugary.
Ingredients
Bourbon
Bourbon is the warming base of this cocktail. Its notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and spice pair beautifully with cranberry and orange.
You do not need an expensive bottle. Choose a bourbon that you already enjoy drinking.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice gives this cocktail its beautiful ruby color and tart seasonal flavor.
You can use cranberry juice cocktail for a slightly sweeter drink or 100 percent cranberry juice for a much more tart cocktail.
If using unsweetened 100 percent cranberry juice, you may want to increase the maple syrup slightly.
Fresh Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice adds natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor.
Fresh juice works particularly well here because the oils and aroma from the orange complement the bourbon.
Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup gives the drink a subtle autumn sweetness.
You only need a small amount. The goal is not to make the cocktail taste strongly of maple, but to use it to balance the tart cranberry and bourbon.
Aromatic Bitters
Aromatic bitters add complexity and bring the flavors together.
Just two or three dashes are enough.
Fresh Rosemary
Rosemary is optional, but it makes a beautiful fall garnish and adds a wonderful herbal aroma when you bring the glass to your lips.
Fresh Cranberries and Orange
Fresh cranberries and an orange slice or twist make easy seasonal garnishes.
Fresh cranberries are primarily decorative and do not need to be eaten.
Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash Ingredients
For one cocktail, you will need:
2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces cranberry juice
1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters
Ice
Fresh rosemary, for garnish
Fresh cranberries, for garnish
Orange slice or orange peel, for garnish
Optional splash of club soda or ginger beer
How to Make a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash
Step 1: Fill the Shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
Add the bourbon, cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, maple syrup, and bitters.
Step 2: Shake
Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 10 to 15 seconds.
This chills the cocktail and helps combine the maple syrup with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Prepare the Glass
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
For an especially pretty presentation, use one large ice cube if you have one.
Step 4: Pour
Strain the cocktail over the fresh ice.
Step 5: Add a Little Sparkle
You can serve the cocktail exactly as it is, or add a small splash of club soda for a lighter, bubbly finish.
For a sweeter and spicier variation, add a splash of ginger beer instead.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Garnish with a fresh orange slice or orange peel, a sprig of rosemary, and a few fresh cranberries.
Serve immediately.
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How to Make It Extra Special for Thanksgiving
This cocktail is especially well suited to Thanksgiving because cranberry and orange pair naturally with traditional holiday flavors.
For a beautiful Thanksgiving presentation, place several fresh cranberries in each glass and garnish with a small rosemary sprig and orange twist.
You can also gently clap the rosemary between your palms before adding it to the drink. This releases some of its aromatic oils without adding rosemary directly to the cocktail.
Club Soda or Ginger Beer?
Either works, but they create different cocktails.
Club Soda
Choose club soda if you want a lighter, less sweet cocktail. It adds bubbles without significantly changing the flavor.
Ginger Beer
Choose ginger beer if you want a sweeter drink with noticeable ginger spice.
Cranberry, orange, bourbon, and ginger are an excellent fall combination, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How to Make a Sweeter Cocktail
If you prefer sweeter cocktails, increase the maple syrup from 1/2 ounce to 3/4 ounce.
You can also use cranberry juice cocktail instead of unsweetened cranberry juice.
Taste preferences vary considerably, so adjusting the sweetness is one of the easiest ways to make this recipe your own.
How to Make It Less Sweet
Use 100 percent unsweetened cranberry juice and reduce the maple syrup to 1/4 ounce.
A splash of club soda can also make the drink lighter and more refreshing.
Can I Make This Cocktail With Vodka?
Yes.
Replace the bourbon with the same amount of vodka for a lighter, more neutral cocktail that allows the cranberry and orange flavors to stand out.
However, bourbon gives the original recipe its warm, distinctly autumn character.
Can I Make It With Whiskey?
Yes. A whiskey you enjoy can be substituted for the bourbon.
Keep in mind that different whiskeys have different flavor profiles, so the finished cocktail may taste slightly different.
Make a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail Pitcher
This recipe is easy to turn into a pitcher for Thanksgiving or a fall party.
For approximately 8 cocktails, combine:
2 cups bourbon
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
16 to 24 dashes aromatic bitters
Stir everything together in a large pitcher and refrigerate until well chilled.
Do not add ice to the pitcher far in advance because it will melt and dilute the cocktail.
When you are ready to serve, fill individual glasses with ice and pour in the cocktail mixture.
Top each glass with a splash of club soda or ginger beer, if desired, and garnish with orange, cranberries, and rosemary.
Can I Make It Ahead of Time?
Yes. This is an excellent cocktail for entertaining because the main mixture can be prepared several hours in advance.
Combine the bourbon, cranberry juice, orange juice, maple syrup, and bitters and refrigerate.
When guests arrive, stir the mixture well and pour it over fresh ice.
Add any carbonated ingredients immediately before serving.
Garnish Ideas
You do not need an elaborate garnish, but a few simple additions can transform this cocktail.
Try fresh cranberries, an orange wheel, orange peel, a rosemary sprig, or a cinnamon stick.
For Thanksgiving, the combination of cranberries, rosemary, and orange is especially beautiful.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Use Fresh Orange Juice
Freshly squeezed orange juice gives the cocktail a brighter flavor than bottled orange juice.
Adjust for Your Cranberry Juice
Not all cranberry juices have the same sweetness.
Cranberry juice cocktail is usually considerably sweeter than pure cranberry juice, so taste the drink and adjust the maple syrup as needed.
Don't Skip the Bitters
Bitters may seem like a tiny ingredient, but they help balance the sweetness and add complexity.
Use Plenty of Ice
A properly chilled cocktail tastes smoother and more balanced.
Add Bubbles Last
Never shake club soda or ginger beer in your cocktail shaker.
Add carbonated ingredients directly to the glass after pouring the cocktail.
What to Serve With a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash
This cocktail works particularly well with fall appetizers and holiday foods.
Try serving it with baked brie, charcuterie, roasted nuts, cranberry appetizers, savory puff pastry bites, turkey, stuffing, roasted vegetables, or a Thanksgiving cheese board.
The tart cranberry and orange flavors can provide a refreshing contrast to rich holiday foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bourbon Good With Cranberry Juice?
Yes. Cranberry's tartness balances the natural vanilla, caramel, oak, and spice flavors found in bourbon.
Adding orange makes the combination even brighter.
Can I Use Frozen Cranberries?
Yes. Frozen cranberries make an excellent garnish and can even help keep the cocktail cold.
Can I Use Cranberry Juice Cocktail?
Absolutely.
Because cranberry juice cocktail is sweetened, you may want to reduce the maple syrup slightly.
Do I Have to Use Maple Syrup?
No. Simple syrup can be substituted.
However, maple syrup contributes a subtle flavor that works especially well with bourbon and makes the cocktail feel more seasonal.
Can I Serve This in a Different Glass?
Yes. A rocks glass is ideal, but you can also use a stemless wine glass or another short cocktail glass.
For a sparkling version with more club soda or ginger beer, a taller glass works well.
The Perfect Cocktail for a Cozy Fall Evening
A great fall cocktail does not need dozens of ingredients.
This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash takes familiar seasonal flavors and combines them into a drink that feels festive, cozy, and elegant without being complicated.
The tart cranberry keeps it refreshing, orange adds brightness, maple syrup provides just enough sweetness, and bourbon brings the warm flavors that make the drink perfect for cooler weather.
Serve it for Thanksgiving, mix up a pitcher for a fall party, or make a single glass for a quiet autumn evening.
Printable Recipe Card
Cranberry Orange Bourbon Smash
Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces cranberry juice
1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
2 to 3 dashes aromatic bitters
Ice
Fresh cranberries, optional garnish
Fresh rosemary, optional garnish
Orange slice or peel, optional garnish
Splash of club soda or ginger beer, optional
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice.
Add the bourbon, cranberry juice, orange juice, maple syrup, and bitters.
Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice.
Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass.
Add a small splash of club soda or ginger beer, if desired.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, rosemary, and an orange slice or twist.
Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
For a sweeter cocktail, use cranberry juice cocktail or increase the maple syrup to 3/4 ounce.
For a more tart cocktail, use 100 percent unsweetened cranberry juice and reduce the maple syrup to 1/4 ounce.
For a lighter cocktail, add a generous splash of club soda.
For a spicier fall variation, top the cocktail with ginger beer.
Always add club soda or ginger beer after shaking. Do not place carbonated ingredients in the cocktail shaker.
Pitcher for 8
2 cups bourbon
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
16 to 24 dashes aromatic bitters
Combine and refrigerate until chilled. Pour over ice and add club soda or ginger beer to individual glasses just before serving. Garnish and enjoy.
