This Cranberry Martini Is The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

With the iconically tart and sweet flavors you love, this cranberry martini will become your favorite holiday drink. It’s one of my favorite Christmas cocktails and is perfect for large parties or relaxing evenings wrapping gifts.

Whether you love the tart flavors of Christmas cranberry sauce, or you’re looking for a red-and-white holiday drink, this cranberry martini checks all the boxes!

This bold and tart drink is sweetened with a sugary rim and garnished with sugar-dusted cranberries. It’s an elegant and delicious cocktail for all occasions.

A cranberry martini with a sugar rim garnished with a skewer of sugar coated cranberries. Cranberry ingredients can be seen in the background.

You don’t have to be a mixologist or have bartending experience to make a fantastic martini. In fact, this recipe couldn’t be any easier. It’s a little easier than this Santa Hat Martini I have made in the past. Check out these Santa Hat Jello Shots too!

All you have to do for this drink is mix it up, add the sugar, and pour it! It’s one of the easiest holiday drinks you’ll ever make.

Cranberry martini recipe ingredients.

What’s In A Cranberry Martini?

All the exact ingredient amounts are in the printable recipe card, just a little bit further below. First, here’s a quick overview explaining what I used.

  • Vodka: A classic, unsweetened, flavor will taste best in this martini.
  • Triple Sec: This adds a citrus punch to the tart martini
  • Cranberry Juice: If you want it to taste sweeter, use a cranberry juice cocktail. For a tarter flavor, use unsweetened cranberry juice.
  • Ice: This drink tastes better when it’s chilled.
  • Sugar: Be creative with the sugar! Do you want extra-fine sugar or larger crystals? Go with what you want it to look like.
  • Corn Syrup: This will make the sugar stick to the rim of the martini glass.
  • Sugared Cranberries: These are for the garnish, they add that finishing touch.

Of course, you’ll also need some lovely martini glasses! Go with a Christmas-themed one or use classic glass ones.

How to rim a martini glass with sugar.

Add Sugar To The Rim

Mix together some corn syrup with your white sugar in a saucer or flat dish. This will make it easier for you to dip the glass into the sugar and add the sugar to the rim of your glass.

Of course sugaring the rim of your martini glasses is optional but I think it enhances the flavors of the drink and gives the martini a fun little flair!

Sugar rimmed martini glass

Shaken Or Stirred Martini

Whether you make this shaken or stirred is entirely up to you. I prefer my martinis shaken. And I love how it tastes when the alcohol is completely mixed together.

I used a copper cocktail shaker. It keeps the drink nice and cold!

Add in cranberry juice to a martini shaker.

Best Liquors For A Cranberry Martini

To make a cranberry martini, I used vodka and triple sec.

Triple sec has a delightful citrus flavor that enhances the cranberry flavors. If you don’t have triple sec, Contreu is a perfect substitute.

Try this with some blackberry vodka. If you really enjoy the taste of cranberries, you can even try this with some cranberry vodka. You might have to sweeten it with some simple syrup if you use cranberry vodka.

A cranberry martini with a sugar rim garnished with a skewer of sugar coated cranberries. A second photo is a plate of fresh cranberries.

Garnish The Martini

Don’t forget about the garnish! This is one of the best parts of the martini. Use a decorative toothpick or short skewer to display some sugared cranberries on. Or, place the cranberries in the drink and let them float.

Christmas Party Ideas:

If you’re planning a holiday party, then save these ideas! It’s always a good idea to have a selection of foods to serve with cocktails…here are some favorites!

A cranberry martini with a sugar rim garnished with a skewer of sugar coated cranberries. Cranberry ingredients can be seen in the background.

Supplies you’ll need

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.

A cranberry martini with a sugar rim garnished with a skewer of sugar coated cranberries. Cranberry ingredients can be seen in the background.
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Cranberry Martini

With the iconically tart and sweet flavors you love, this cranberry martini will become your favorite holiday drink.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Keyword: cranberry martini
Servings: 1 martini
Calories: 201kcal

Equipment

  • Martini Glass
  • Shallow Dish
  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Toothpick

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Vodka
  • 1/2 ounce Triple Sec
  • 2 ounces Cranberry Juice
  • 1 cup Ice
  • Sugar for the rim
  • Corn Syrup for the rim
  • Sugared Cranberries Garnish

Instructions

  • To a shallow saucer, add a layer of sugar.
  • To another saucer, add a shallow layer of corn syrup.
  • Rim the martini glass by dipping the rim into the corn syrup, followed by the sugar.
  • To a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice. 
  • Shake to combine and chill. Pour, strained, into your glass, and garnish with fresh sugared cranberries, optionally, orange slices or additional fresh cranberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.2mg

More Holiday Drinks

If you enjoyed making this cranberry martini, here are some more holiday drink ideas you should make next! They are some of my favorites.

A cranberry martini with a sugar rim garnished with a skewer of sugar coated cranberries. Cranberry ingredients can be seen in the background.
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Susan B

Susan B

Hi, I’m Susan! Thanks for stopping by Oh My! Creative. I like to have fun, make fun things…you know, create stuff! I love DIY, decorating and design and like any girl…shopping and lunch!
Susan B
Susan B

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