While most traditional versions of a vodka cranberry use sweetened cranberry juice, this recipe uses 100% cranberry juice! Consider it a modern spin on the classic. Why use unsweetened juice here? This homemade liqueur is very easy to make and you can use variations of my recipe. There’s more than one way to get to the sweet, tart taste and beautiful color this liqueur is known for. When figuring out how to make a good vodka cranberry, you might be tempted to shake it instead of building it in the glass. But what’s the difference in taste? And why are drinks shaken, stirred, or made in a glass? Here are a few top tips:

Also called the Cape Cod drink, the Cape Codder is the most common version. It gets its name from the coastal town of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, which is known for its cranberry bogs. And then there’s the Cosmopolitan, which is a relative of the vodka cranberry with orange liqueur added. My grandfather used to make a sweet liqueur with some red berries (manaferra) that was always used to greet hosts when they came to visit to our house. Last year I made orange liqueur (1 minute video), limoncello and raspberry liqueur. Later, I decided to try it with vodka. Over the years I’ve perfected the recipe, adding a few spices and leaving it to infuse for a week. I am so happy with the result. It’s so much nicer than letting uncooked cranberries infuse. While store-bought lime juice is great in a pinch, it’s not the wisest to use in drinks where lime is a star player. Bottled concentrate will still taste good, but if you have time to squeeze some limes, don’t skimp.

Vodka Cran: Yes I Can!

Do this by putting 200 ml water in a pan with 100 g caster sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and then mix in a little at a time. Take care. You can always add but you can’t take away.

Others prefer to use flavored vodkas, such as raspberry or vanilla, to add a new dimension to the drink.

Sometimes you can find cranberry juice with other flavors mixed in, like cherry, blueberry or grape. But don’t worry — any of these would be delicious! citrus juicers Tip: Room temperature citrus is easier to juice than cold, refrigerated fruit. Set your citrus fruits out on the counter for a couple hours to warm up before juicing them. How to make a Cape Codder With fresh fruit flavors, the Cape Codder is a great drink for summertime and the holiday season alike.

If you’re planning to make a lot, I totally see the need for a shortcut! See if your grocery store sells pre-squeezed, fresh lime juice. Believe it or not but the Vodka Cranberry is a type of drink where you actually will feel nuances depending on what type of vodka you use, Wheat based, Rye based or maybe even a potato one will make a difference so find the one you like best! If you’re feeling experimental, you can try making it with a flavored vodka such as Absolut Grapefruit, Absolut Peach or Absolut Raspberri! Cranberry is one of those great mixers that works with almost any spirit! I have never received that much appreciation for Christmas gifts as I have for this homemade Cranberry Liqueur!Don't forget the fresh OJ: You can make fresh cranberry juice, but it's honestly easier and cheaper to buy it by the bottle. However, orange juice is a different story, and you'll save money and have a better-tasting drink if you take a minute to squeeze a little fresh juice. It's easy and doesn't require a fancy juicer.

While Vodka + Cran won’t hit shelves until next year, the brands are currently focused on further product development.

The combination of the tartness of cranberry juice and the smoothness of vodka creates a refreshing and delicious drink that is perfect for any occasion. Making this vodka cranberry recipe is so easy! You don’t really even need any bar tools, just a glass and a spoon. And, of course, a skilled bartender who knows how to mix the ingredients just right can turn a good drink into a great one.