How to Make a Cranberry Spritz in 5 Steps (Seasonal Favorite)
How to Make a Cranberry Spritz in 5 Steps (Seasonal Favorite)
A Cranberry Spritz is one of the easiest ways to bring instant holiday energy to any gathering. It is festive, bright, and pretty enough to be a centerpiece all on its own. Without a simple go to recipe, it is easy to end up with drinks that look watery, taste too sweet, or feel more stressful than they should.
You are in the right place. This five step recipe will show you how to make a Cranberry Spritz that tastes fresh, looks beautiful, and feels instantly holiday. It pairs perfectly with our Cranberry “‘Tis The Season” Cups, which are already dressed for the occasion.
By Step 5 you will know exactly how to balance vodka, cranberry juice, and lime for a spritz that feels celebratory in every sip.
Let’s make something merry.
Step 1: Prep Your Lime
Before you pour anything, start with the lime. It gives the spritz brightness and keeps the cranberry from leaning too sweet.
Here is what to do:
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Rinse your lime and cut it into wedges.
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Set aside one or two wedges for garnish.
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Squeeze a wedge in a small cup to make sure the lime is juicy and fresh.
If your lime is hard or barely giving juice, grab another. Fresh lime makes all the difference in a spritz.
What to look out for:
Do not skip this step. A dull lime leads to a flat tasting drink. This simple step sets your whole spritz up for success.
Step 2: Choose Your Vodka
You might be wondering how fancy your vodka needs to be. The good news is that you do not need an expensive bottle to make this work.
Tips for picking the right vodka:
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Choose a clean, smooth vodka.
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Avoid flavored varieties that can overpower the cranberry.
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Chill the vodka before using. Cold vodka helps the drink stay crisp.
What to look out for:
Avoid harsh vodka. The spritz should be smooth and refreshing, not sharp or heavy.
Step 3: Build Your Drink in a Cranberry “‘Tis The Season” Cup
Time to bring out the star of the show. The Cranberry “‘Tis The Season” Cup adds flavor, sparkle, and instant holiday vibes before the drink even hits the table.
Here is what to do:
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Add 1.5 to 2 ounces of vodka to the cup.
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Pour in 2 to 3 ounces of cranberry juice.
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Squeeze in a lime wedge and drop it in for flavor.
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Add ice if you want your drink extra cold.
Watch how the cranberry juice settles into the cup. The holiday rim enhances the flavor in a way that feels festive without effort.
What to look out for:
Do not forget the lime squeeze. It brightens the cranberry and keeps the spritz from tasting too sugary.
Step 4: Add Bubbles and Adjust
This is the moment the drink becomes a spritz.
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Add chilled sparkling water, club soda, or lemon lime soda.
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Pour slowly to keep the carbonation strong.
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Stir gently to blend the flavors.
Taste and adjust:
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Add more cranberry juice for richer color.
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Add more lime for extra zing.
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Add a splash more vodka if the holiday chaos calls for it.
What to look out for:
Do not shake or over stir. You will lose the bubbles, and the bubbles are the part that makes this drink feel lively.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Time to finish the drink and make it look holiday ready.
Here is what to do:
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Add a lime wheel to the rim.
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Drop in a few fresh cranberries if you have them.
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Give the drink a final light stir.
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Serve immediately while it is cold and sparkling.
Tips for best results:
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Use very cold juice and sparkling water to keep the spritz refreshing.
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Fresh cranberries float, which makes the drink look extra festive.
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Keep extra lime wedges nearby. People always want more.
What to look out for:
The first time I made this, I added far too many cranberries and accidentally created a cranberry avalanche. It still tasted great. The lesson: this drink is easy to customize and even easier to enjoy.
Bonus Tip
Freeze cranberries and use them as ice. They keep the drink chilled without watering it down and make the spritz look even more seasonal.
Key Takeaways
You now know how to make a festive, pretty, instantly holiday Cranberry Spritz in five simple steps. It comes together fast, tastes bright, and looks even better in our Cranberry “‘Tis The Season” Cups. These cups add a flavored rim that gives the drink the perfect sweet tart edge.
If you want more holiday ready recipes or hosting shortcuts, let us know what you want next.
Every Sip Is a Celebration.
Quick Recipe Card: Cranberry Spritz
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
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1.5 to 2 oz vodka
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2 to 3 oz cranberry juice
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Sparkling water, club soda, or lemon lime soda
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1 lime, cut into wedges
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Fresh cranberries (optional)
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Ice (optional)
Instructions:
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Rinse and slice your lime.
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Add vodka and cranberry juice to the “‘Tis The Season” Cup.
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Squeeze in a lime wedge and drop it in.
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Add ice if desired.
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Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
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Garnish with lime and fresh cranberries.
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Serve cold and enjoy.