Maple Cranberry Bourbon

When the colder months arrive, I start craving drinks that taste warm yet still refreshing. The Maple Cranberry Bourbon cocktail hits that feeling steadily. It’s simple to mix and works for both quiet afternoons and holiday gatherings. I first made it on a chilly day before a family dinner. It didn’t take long before it turned into a drink I kept making through the season.

The mix of cranberry juice, maple syrup, and bourbon feels right the moment you taste it. The maple brings a soft warmth. The cranberry adds a gentle tart note. The bourbon holds everything together with a smooth finish. Topping it with club soda keeps the drink light enough for afternoons, early evenings, or quick holiday get-togethers.

If you enjoy holiday bourbon cocktails or easy winter drinks, this Maple Cranberry Bourbon fits in easily. It works for Thanksgiving, fall weekends, and relaxed nights at home when you want something seasonal that isn’t heavy.

Why You’ll Love This

The Maple Cranberry Bourbon is simple, steady, and a good fit for colder weather. It has a mix of sweet, tart, and warm notes that feel calm and easy to sip. The club soda helps keep the drink lighter than most bourbon cocktails.

Here are a few reasons it stands out

• Easy to make with basic ingredients
• Maple adds a warm touch that fits fall and winter
• Cranberry keeps the drink bright
• Works for holidays or simple evenings at home
• Bourbon blends naturally with both cranberry and maple
• Club soda makes it light enough for daytime sipping

Once you try it, you’ll see why this cranberry bourbon cocktail becomes a regular for the season.

Ingredients

This recipe uses a mix of sweet, tart, and smooth parts that work together. Every ingredient helps shape the final flavor of the Maple Cranberry Bourbon.

• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1.5 ounces cranberry juice
• 0.5 ounce maple syrup
• club soda to top
• maple cranberries for garnish
• rosemary sprig for garnish

The bourbon brings depth. The cranberry juice adds a soft, tart note. The maple syrup blends in with a warm, gentle sweetness. Club soda keeps the drink bright. The garnishes add a clean seasonal look.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Choosing the right bourbon and cranberry juice helps the Maple Cranberry Bourbon taste smooth. You don’t need top-shelf bottles, but using quality options gives you a cleaner drink.

Here are reliable choices

• Buffalo Trace, smooth and mellow
• Maker’s Mark, slightly sweeter
• Evan Williams, simple and budget-friendly
• Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, steady and balanced
• Pure cranberry juice for a sharper edge
• Real maple syrup for a cleaner taste

If you prefer something lighter, add extra club soda. If you want a stronger holiday bourbon cocktail, increase the bourbon slightly.

Equipment and Glassware

You only need a few tools for this maple bourbon cocktail. The shaker chills the drink fast and helps the syrup blend smoothly. A rocks glass gives enough space for ice and soda.

Helpful items

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger
• Rocks Glass
• Strainer

A rocks glass works best because it stays cold longer and gives room for the club soda topper.

How to Make It

The Maple Cranberry Bourbon comes together fast. The shaking step helps the maple syrup blend into the drink, so nothing settles to the bottom.

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, cranberry juice, and maple syrup.
3. Shake until cold.
4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Top with club soda.
6. Add maple cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
7. Serve right away.

If you like a sweeter drink, add a little more maple syrup before shaking.

Pro Tips

These easy tips help this cranberry bourbon drink taste smoother and stay cold longer.

Try these ideas

• Use chilled cranberry juice for a colder drink
• Add more club soda if you want a lighter version
• Shake a little longer for a smoother blend
• Use real maple syrup for a clean taste
• Garnish right before serving
• Try a large ice cube to slow melting
• Adjust sweetness to your liking
• Use pure cranberry juice for a more tart bite

With a few trials, you’ll find the mix that fits your taste.

Variations

This Maple Cranberry Bourbon is easy to adjust. A few small swaps can shift the drink while keeping the cozy feel the same.

Here are some options

• Add a splash of orange juice for brightness
• Replace bourbon with rye for a spicier finish
• Use sparkling water instead of club soda
• Add cinnamon syrup for a deeper fall taste
• Make a nonalcoholic version with NA bourbon

Each twist keeps the focus on maple and cranberry while adding something new.

When to Serve and Pairings

The Maple Cranberry Bourbon is perfect for small gatherings, weekend afternoons, and holiday events. It feels seasonal without being too heavy, so it works well as a first drink of the night.

Serve it for

• Thanksgiving appetizers
• Fall brunch
• Holiday parties
• Casual dinners
• Quiet nights with snacks

Pair it with

• Cheese boards
• Herb-roasted nuts
• Cranberry brie bites
• Apple desserts
• Savory pastries

The mix of bourbon and cranberry pairs well with both salty and sweet foods.

Storage and Serving Notes

This drink tastes best fresh because soda loses its fizz over time. If you want to prep ahead, mix the bourbon, cranberry juice, and maple syrup in a sealed jar. Keep it chilled. When you’re ready to serve, shake with ice, pour over fresh ice, and top with club soda.

Add your garnishes right before serving to keep the drink looking clean.

FAQs

Here are a few common questions about the Maple Cranberry Bourbon.

Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Yes. Honey syrup works, but maple fits the drink better.

Does it taste very sweet?
No. The cranberry juice and club soda keep it steady.

Can I make a batch version?
Yes. Mix the bourbon, cranberry juice, and maple syrup in a pitcher. Add soda per glass.

What type of bourbon is best?
Choose something smooth. A sharp or smoky bourbon can overpower the cranberry and maple.

More Cocktails to Try

If you like the Maple Cranberry Bourbon, here are more cocktails with a similar fall and winter feel.

• Cayman Limeade
• Winter Honey Old Fashioned
• Santa Claus Smash
• Bourbon Pear Fizz
• Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail