Festive Cranberry Gin and Tonic

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I’m a huge fan of gin and tonic, and I love mixing up new variations. This cranberry gin and tonic cocktail was initially a test run for a party I am planning for friends and family, but it was love at first sip! 

Gorgeous Christmas ornament shaped glass filled with festive cranberry gin tonic, placed on glass coaster.

I love this variation on the classic gin and tonic – especially for the Holiday Season. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas – but it’s so delicious and refreshing that you’ll want to enjoy it all year long. 

You’ll love the scrumptious cranberry flavor, and they’re super quick and easy to whip together, allowing me to spend less time behind the bar and more time enjoying the company of my loved ones!

National Gin and Tonic Day is on April 9th!

🎥 Video

🥘 Ingredients

Three ingredients are required for mixing a cranberry gin cocktail.
  • Ice Cubes – Filled to the brim of your glass
  • Gin of Your Choice – Check out our complete guide to gin and tonic for inspiration.
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Tonic Water
  • Orange Wedge, Rosemary Twig, and Drinking Straw for garnish if you are using a Highball Glass

See the recipe card for quantities.

👣 Step-by-Step

Add the gin to the stirring glass, filled with cubed ice.
Add the gin to the stirring glass, filled with cubed ice.
Pour the cranberry juice, into the mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
Add the cranberry juice.
Fill up the stirring glass with tonic water.
Fill up with tonic water.
Give the cranberry gin and tonic a good stir.
Give it a good stir.
Fill up the Christmas ornament shaped glasses with cranberry gin tonic using a funnel.
Pour in the cranberry gin tonic.
Gorgeous Christmas ornament shaped glass filled with festive cranberry gin tonic, placed on glass coaster.
Enjoy!

🔪 Instructions

As far as cocktails go, this one’s pretty simple and easy to whip together!

Go ahead and start by filling your highball or balloon glass to the brim with ice.

Next, add in your gin of choice and cranberry juice to the glass. A typical highball glass holds 240 (1 cup) to 350 ml (1 ½ cups).

Last but not least, fill up your glass with tonic.

Since I am using Christmas ornament-shaped glasses, I have to use a stirring glass for mixing. So fill up your stirring glass with cubed ice, add the gin and the cranberry juice, and fill up the stirring glass with 2 – 3 cups of tonic.

Once everything’s been mixed well, you can pour your cocktail into two glasses. If using a stirring glass, strain the mix through a Hawthorn or Julep strainer to hold back the cubed ice.

This cranberry gin and tonic is best garnished with an orange wedge, rosemary twig, and a (reusable) drinking straw.

Gorgeous Christmas ornament shaped glass filled with festive cranberry gin tonic, placed on glass coaster.

🍸 Variations

The classic gin and tonic has an endless number of different varieties because of the number of different gin and of tonic varieties that are available. (Check out our Gin & Tonic Guide)

For this cranberry gin and tonic, you also have the option of garnishing with fresh cranberries. 

🍸 More Cocktails for You to Try

🍽 Equipment

  • Cocktail stirring glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Funnel
  • Jigger
  • Hawthorn or Julep Strainer (If you are using a stirring glass).
  • Highball Glasses or Christmas Ornament Glasses (Chilled)

🌡 Storage

For many reasons, this cocktail should be enjoyed right away. One of the biggest reasons, though, is because tonic water will eventually go flat – ruining the fresh, crisp taste that gin and tonics are so famously known for.

💭 Top tips

When preparing your gin and tonic cocktails at home, it’s important that you hold your highball glasses from the bottom and avoid touching the rim. By doing this, you help keep your chilled glass nice and cool – which honestly makes the cocktail taste that much better!

Are you wondering, “How do I chill a cocktail glass properly?” The most efficient way to get a perfectly chilled glass is to put them in the freezer beforehand. I usually give it at least a half hour, but if you’re like me and plan to have friends and family over for backyard grilling and dinner parties this summer, you could also throw your glasses in the night before.

Normally, I mix the gin and tonic directly in the serving glass. In today’s special case, where I want to use these cute Christmas ornament glasses, I used a stirring glass for mixing the cocktail. Once the cocktail was ready, I used a funnel to divide the cranberry gin and tonic.

Since I didn’t have ice cubes this time inside the glass, it is really important to use ice-cold serving glasses. This drink won’t keep super cold for a long time, but it’s still the perfect drink if you’re hosting a party outdoors. 

If you don’t wanna serve your cranberry gin and tonic in such glasses, serve the cocktail like a regular gin and tonic in a highball glass.

One final tip, in an attempt to protect our environment, is that I highly encourage you to avoid using disposable straws whenever possible, opt to use either metal or paper straws or simply forgo them altogether.

🙋🏻 FAQ

What juice goes best with gin?

When it comes to adding a little bit of flavor to your gin and tonics, what juice goes best is all a matter of personal preference. Personally, I think cranberry juice is delicious, but I also really enjoy adding splashes of orange juice, mango juice, and pineapple juice. There are so many variations on the classic gin and tonic, and it’s absolutely worth experimenting to see what you like best! 

How many calories in a cranberry gin and tonic drink?

In a typical cranberry gin and tonic, there’s about 100 calories – give or take! 

What are the benefits of gin and cranberry juice?

There’s lots of great benefits from cranberries – so why not mix it with your gin and tonic?! Cranberries have been shown to lower your risk of urinary tract infection, decrease blood pressure, and boost your immune system. 

What pairs well with gin and tonic?

There’s lot of things that pair well with gin and tonic! Cranberry juice is great, but feel free to try other juices. Personally, I like tropical picks like oranges, mangos, and pineapple. 

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Cranberry Gin Cocktail

Enjoy the perfect blend of tart cranberry and refreshing gin with this cranberry gin and tonic cocktail. The recipe is simple, and the flavors are delightful!
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
5 from 42 votes
Gorgeous Christmas ornament shaped glass filled with festive cranberry gin tonic, placed on glass coaster.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes

Equipment

  • Cocktail stirring glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Funnel
  • Jigger
  • Hawthorn or Julep Strainer
  • 2 Highball Glasses or Christmas ornament glasses – chilled

Ingredients

  • Cubed Ice
  • 3 oz Gin of your liking
  • 1 ½ oz Cranberry juice
  • Tonic To fill up the glass

Garnish

  • Orange wedge
  • Rosemary twig
  • Drinking straw
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • Fill a well-chilled stirring glass to the brim with Cubed Ice.
    Cubed Ice
  • Add 3 oz Gin, 1 ½ oz Cranberry juiceill up with Tonic (one high ball glass holds 240 (1 cup) to 350 ml (1 ½ cups)) – so I recommend adding 2 – 3 cups tonic to the stirring glass.
    3 oz Gin, 1 ½ oz Cranberry juice, Tonic
  • Garnish with an Orange wedge, Rosemary twig, and a Drinking straw if using a highball glass.
    Orange wedge, Rosemary twig, Drinking straw

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 4mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.04mg
Servings: 2 Servings
Calories: 110kcal
Author: Nora

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⛑️ Food Safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling – FDA.

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Nora’s love for baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where she learned the foundations she still carries into her recipes today. She now shares that knowledge and enthusiasm with her readers on Combine Good Flavors. In recent years, she has also developed a passion for cocktails and drinks, which she continues to deepen through ongoing bartender training. As an SCA-certified coffee brewing professional, coffee remains at the heart of everything she creates.

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10 Comments

  4. 5 stars
    Couldn’t wait for the holidays – this drink is really tasty!! It’s festive but we’ll be enjoying it year round!

    Reply
5 from 42 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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