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This is the ultimate recipe for a Cranberry Old Fashioned. Full of fresh cranberry flavor, smoky bourbon, and Cardamom bitters for an aromatic twist you will love. It makes the perfect signature cocktail to enjoy for a Fall dinner party, Wedding, or Thanksgiving dinner.

While I love a good whiskey drink any time of year, the colder weather months seem to feel extra appropriate for a spirit-forward cocktail, especially a Bourbon cocktail. And colder weather also means cranberries are in season…a favorite seasonal fruit that we enjoy for fall baked goods, Thanksgiving side dishes (have you ever tried Old Fashioned Bourbon Cranberry Sauce??), and holiday drinks. This Cranberry Old Fashioned is the perfect combination of the two.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

This is an elegant drink that will impress your guests but is actually quite easy to make. If you love Bourbon and appreciate the subtle flavor nuances of a classic Old Fashioned, then you will love this Cranberry Old Fashioned. Perfect for a couples night by the fire or a holiday dinner party. Bourbon lovers should also try this Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Sour, also a festive cocktail for the fall season.

Ingredients needed for a Cranberry Old Fashioned:

Bourbon or Whiskey. Choose a good quality one. I used Wild Turkey 101 for this recipe.
Cranberry Simple Syrup. Recipe below.
Cardamom Bitters. I absolutely love the Cardamom Bitters from Bitter Housewife. They knock it out of the park in flavor and aroma.
Fresh Cranberries for garnish.
Orange for garnish.
A large cube of clear ice. Having a crystal-clear chunk of ice is necessary for presenting a beautiful drink and the Peak Silicone Ice Mold will do the trick quite easily. I’ve had mine for years with no regrets.

Tools you will need:

Measuring Jigger. I love Cocktail Kingdoms coppe r jiggers, they are especially pretty for the holidays.
A channel knife. This is for making those dainty orange spirals, and this one is a great quality.
An old-fashioned glass.
Peak Silicone Ice Mold.

How to make a Cranberry Old Fashioned:

Add the Bourbon and cranberry simple syrup to your glass and stir.
Add 2-3 dashes of Cardamom Bitters.
Carefully add your ice cube (if you drop it in your drink will splash out).
Garnish with additional cranberries (use frozen if you have them!) and a dainty orange spiral. You’ll need a channel knife for making a dainty spiral.
For an extra bit of flavor while sipping I like to rub an orange peel around the rim of the glass before serving.
Cheers!

Cranberry Simple Syrup:

Tools:

Small Saucepan
Fine Mesh Strainer

Ingredients:

Fresh Cranberries. If you have whole frozen cranberries that will work too.
Sugar
Water

How to make Cranberry Simple Syrup:

You’re going to need to make a cranberry simple syrup first.
In a small saucepan, dissolve the sugar into the water.
Add the cranberries and simmer for about 5-8 minutes until they “pop”.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove all of the cranberries and seeds.
Allow to fully cool before adding to your drink so it doesn’t melt the ice.

How to make Cranberry Old Fashioneds for a crowd:

To make a large batch for a thirsty crowd you will need to first multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you want to serve. Mix the ingredients in a large mixing glass first. This mixing glass is perfect for large-batch cocktails. Then pour over fresh ice cubes in each glass. Add the garnish and serve. If you plan ahead you can make several clear ice cubes with the Peak Mold in advance and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

Yes, if you are making a large batch and want to make it ahead of time, follow the instructions above and then cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

More Seasonal Cocktails to try: