We’re using rye whiskey to craft a Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail. Flavored with cranberry, lemon, and maple syrup, this is a delicious and beautiful cocktail to celebrate the season.

Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail in rocks glasses.

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Holiday Cocktail Time!

2 What’s the Difference Between Rye Whiskey and Bourbon?

3 Ingredients:

4 Recipe Instructions:

5 Cheers!

6 Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail

Holiday Cocktail Time!

I thought it was time for a new holiday cocktail recipe! In this post, I’m adding this Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail to my assortment of merriment. If you’re curious about my holiday cocktail assortment and/or looking for more unique Christmas cocktail recipes, I’m on it. I have all of my favorites listed HERE. Enjoy!

I love this holiday cocktail because it’s all of my favorite things: sweet, balanced, fruity, and really easy to sip. Ingredients like cranberry juice, citrus, and maple syrup make this a great cocktail for fall, winter, and holiday entertaining. For instance, it would be lovely for Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving. In the end, it works for any season or celebration.

Want more cranberry-inspired cocktail recipes? Try these:

Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail in a rocks glass.

What’s the Difference Between Rye Whiskey and Bourbon?

You might know I’m a bourbon fan (check out my favorite bourbon drink recipes HERE), but I wanted to try something different this time around, so I used rye whiskey in this cranberry rye holiday cocktail.

Are you wondering what the difference is between rye whiskey and bourbon?

Rye whiskey is mostly made from rye grain. This applies to American rye whiskey which must be made of at least 51% rye mash or Canadian whiskey. Consequently, rye whiskey is typically spicier and more aggressive in flavor than bourbon.

Bourbon is a specific type of American whiskey which must be made of at least 51% corn and aged in oak barrels. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Bourbon is typically more sweet and mellow (which is why I think I like it so much). There are flavor notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel in it.

You learn something new every day, right?

Your lesson for today is complete. Let’s move on to making this Cranberry Rye Cocktail.

Ingredients:

Time to gather up the ingredients for this tasty libation!

rye whiskey – Use your favorite. Bourbon would also work here.
fresh lemon juice – Always go with freshly squeezed.
cranberry juice– One hundred percent juice or cranberry juice cocktail work interchangeably here. The cranberry juice cocktail will add a touch more sweetness.
pure maple syrup – I like a little sweetness with my whiskey drinks. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking. (The best maple syrup if from Finding Home Farms.)
Angostura bitters – Bitters always seem to balance out the flavors. You can use traditional or orange here.
seltzer water / club soda – This is totally optional. I tried the drink with and without and I liked it both ways.
fresh cranberries and/or orange wedge – Every drink needs a garnish. Cranberries and/or an orange wedge are great options here.

Glassware and Garnish

I am OBSESSED with this glassware. You can shop these fabulous rocks glasses HERE.

You can find the gold cocktail picks I used HERE.

Recipe Instructions:

This recipe is pretty simple; even so, I’ll walk you through the steps here. There is a printable recipe card with a full ingredient list and instructions at the end of this post.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the rye whiskey, lemon juice, cranberry juice, maple syrup, and a dash of bitters.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

pouring Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail into glass with ice.

Top with seltzer. (Optional)
Garnish with fresh cranberries and/or an orange wedge.

Serve, sip, and enjoy!

Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail in a glass.

Cheers!

And there you have it! Another recipe to add to your holiday cocktail-making list.

I hope you’ll give this Cranberry Rye Holiday Cocktail recipe a try! May it keep you warm this holiday and winter season.

Enjoy!

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