Cranberry Vodka Sour

There’s something fun about shaking up a Cranberry Vodka Sour on a quiet night when you want a drink that feels bright but still simple to make. I started mixing this one during a snowy weekend with a few friends, and it quickly became the drink we kept coming back to.

This cocktail combines the tartness of cranberry with the smoothness of vodka, making it perfect for cozy evenings, holiday parties, or any random afternoon when you crave something refreshing. It looks pretty, it tastes balanced, and it’s one of those drinks people assume took more work than it actually did.

If you love holiday cocktails that feel easy and still look great on the table, this Cranberry Vodka Sour is a nice one to keep in your rotation.

Why You’ll Love This

Once you try this Cranberry Vodka Sour, you’ll see why it keeps showing up on bar menus during the cold months. It has a bright flavor, light foam, and a color that looks great in any setting.

• Quick to shake, perfect when you want something fast after work.
• Uses simple ingredients you already have stocked at home.
• Just the right mix of tart, sweet, and smooth for many palates.
• Works for holiday gatherings or easy dinners with friends.
• Looks great in photos, which helps when you want to share your drink online.

This is the kind of cocktail you keep making because it delivers the same reliable taste each time without feeling boring.

Ingredients

Each ingredient in a Cranberry Vodka Sour plays a distinct role, providing the perfect blend of tart juice, smooth spirit, and silky foam from the egg white.

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Lemon wheel or cranberries for garnish

Vodka provides a clean base, cranberry juice adds color and sharp flavor, and lemon juice brings brightness that cuts through the sweetness. Simple syrup keeps the drink balanced, while the egg white adds a creamy top layer that people love.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

You don’t need pricey vodka to make this recipe shine. A few solid brands help the drink taste clean and mix smoothly with the tart cranberry and lemon.

• Tito’s Vodka, smooth and easy to find, works well with bright flavors.
• Smirnoff No. 21 is a classic choice that offers a reasonable price.
  Ketel One is a slightly richer option if you prefer a fuller finish.
• Cranberry cocktail juice works when pure cranberry juice isn’t available.
• Maple syrup is a warmer option if you don’t have simple syrup.

Choose whatever fits your budget and taste, because this drink remains balanced even with small adjustments.

Equipment and Glassware

You don’t need fancy gear to make a good Cranberry Vodka Sour, which makes this recipe perfect for beginners who want something that still feels polished. A few basics help you get that foamy top layer.

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Old-fashioned glass

Any reliable shaker works because the dry shake creates that silky foam. An old-fashioned glass gives the drink the right look and feel.

How to Make It

This recipe follows the classic sour method, which involves a dry shake first to whip the egg whites into a creamy layer before chilling them with ice.

1. Dry Shake: Combine vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds to create foam.
2. Wet Shake: Add ice, seal the shaker, and shake again until the tin feels cold.
3. Strain: Pour into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish: Add a lemon wheel or a few cranberries for color.

You can make the drink a little sweeter or sharper by adjusting the syrup or lemon juice to match your taste.

Pro Tips

A Cranberry Vodka Sour is easy to shake, but a few small adjustments help you get that bar-style finish every time you make it.

• Use fresh lemon juice for the best taste.
• Shake the egg white well before adding ice.
• Keep your simple syrup chilled for a cleaner flavor.
• Use clear ice for a more polished look.
• Add a tiny splash of cranberry for deeper color.
• Chill your glass first for slower dilution.
• Taste before serving if you like sharper drinks.

Trying minor adjustments helps you find your ideal balance, especially if you make this often.

Variations

Once you know the base recipe, it’s fun to change it up with flavors that match your mood, season, or what you already have at home.

• Add orange juice for a softer, fruitier twist.
• Swap vodka for gin for a brighter botanical taste.
• Make it non alcoholic by using a zero-proof vodka alternative.
• Add a dash of bitters for a deeper finish.
• Use honey syrup for a warmer flavor.

Little changes help keep this cocktail fresh even when you make it often.

When to Serve and Pairings

This Cranberry Vodka Sour fits holiday dinners, winter gatherings, or quiet nights when you want something pretty without spending too much time mixing.

• Cranberry brie bites
• Holiday roast chicken
• Baked ham
• Soft cheeses
• Smoked almonds
• Light appetizers

It pairs well with simple snacks because the drink already has a strong flavor that stands well on its own.

Storage and Serving Notes

This drink is best made fresh because the foam settles if it sits too long, but you can batch everything except the egg white and shake individual servings later.

For batching, mix the vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and syrup in a sealed container and chill it. Shake with egg white right before pouring.

FAQs

People often have questions about sour cocktails, especially those with egg whites, so here are some quick answers to make mixing easier.

Is the egg white safe to drink?
Most bartenders use fresh eggs, and the alcohol plus lemon juice lowers the risk. You can use pasteurized egg whites for extra comfort.

Can I make it sweeter?
Yes, increase the simple syrup in small steps until it matches your taste.

Can I skip the egg white?
Yes, you’ll lose the creamy top layer, but the flavor stays good.

What cranberry juice works best?
Pure cranberries are sharp. A cranberry cocktail works if you want something softer.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoy a refreshing Cranberry Vodka Sour, you’ll probably like these recipes that follow the same light, bright style.

• Strawberry Lemon Drop Cocktail: fresh lemon drink with a sweet strawberry touch
• Grapefruit Lemon Drop Martini: bright citrus mix with a crisp grapefruit kick
• Apricot Lemon Drop Martini: smooth lemon drink with soft apricot notes
• Kiwi Lemon Drop: light lemon mix with gentle kiwi flavor
• Apple Lemon Drop Cocktail: crisp lemon drink with mellow apple sweetness