Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Katy McAvoy

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Cranberry and orange are a perfect match, especially at the holidays. Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup is fantastic and festive to make during the busy holiday season because it can easily be used for delicious co*cktails or mocktails.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (1)
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  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup
  • How long does Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup last?
  • What to Make with Cranberry Orange Syrup
  • FAQs and Substitutions
  • Looking for more Festive Cranberry Recipes?
  • More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
  • Print the Recipe Card
  • Cranberry and Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails

Cranberry is a quintessential holiday flavor and my go-to drink flavor throughout the holiday season.

I always add orange zest to my cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, which got me thinking about what a perfect pairing cranberry and orange are.

So let's take that idea and turn it into a rich and delicious simple syrup that can be used for all kind of delicious drinks.

Mix Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup with club soda and/or ginger beer for an easy mocktail. Create a tasty co*cktail by combining it with gin and ginger beer, or stir it up with bourbon for a delicious cranberry old fashioned.

This simple syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator so you're always prepared for any unexpected holiday guests, an impromptu homemade happy hour, or well deserved night cap.

Ingredients

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (2)
  • Cranberries - Use fresh or frozen cranberries here. Dried cranberries won't work in this recipe.
  • Sugar - Choose white sugar (either beet sugar or cane sugar) for this recipe.
  • Fresh orange - You need the peel as well as the juice from the orange for this syrup, so only a fresh orange will work here.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (3)

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the outside of the orange. Try to get as little of the white part (the pith) as possible.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (4)

Place cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, and orange peels into a small pot over medium heat.

Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes.

You'll know it's done when the mixture starts to foam and rise up in the pot.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (5)

Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes.

Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the mixture through the sieve.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (6)

Discard the cranberries or remove the peels and use the remaining mixture on waffles or as compote for a charcuterie board.

Chill syrup completely before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (7)

How long does Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup last?

Store your simple syrup in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If it starts looking cloudy or changes color or texture in any way, discard it immediately.

What to Make with Cranberry Orange Syrup

Cranberry orange simple syrup is delicious in all kinds of drinks! I love it in this simple, fizzy cranberry orange mocktail or with bourbon in a Cranberry Old Fashioned.

FAQs and Substitutions

Can I use bottled orange juice?

Yes, but since you need the peel from the orange, use the rest of the fruit and juice it. Fresh juice really does make a difference.

What kind of oranges should I use?

I like to use a navel orange in this recipe, but juice oranges and cara cara oranges work great as well. Blood oranges are also delicious. If you decide to use blood oranges in this recipe you may need to up the sugar by a tablespoon or two since blood oranges are often a bit tart.

Do I need fresh or frozen cranberries?

Either one! Add frozen berries directly from the freezer or use fresh. Frozen berries will cause the syrup to take a few extra minutes to come to a boil, but that’s the only difference.

What other kind of sugar can I use?

If you don’t want to use refined white sugar, swap it out for honey or agave.Stay away from maple syrup or brown sugar, which will change the flavor too much.

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (10)

Looking for more Festive Cranberry Recipes?

Love cranberries as much as I do? Enjoy them in my slice-and-bake cranberry shortbread cookies! Or sip them in my cranberry gin co*cktail with fresh rosemary or cranberry mimosas.

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

  • Orange Ginger Gin co*cktail (Video)
  • Cranberry Gin co*cktail (Video)
  • DIY co*cktail Syrups
  • Light and Refreshing Honey Orange Gin co*cktail
  • Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic co*cktails

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Cranberry and Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails

Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (13)

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Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup recipe is fantastic and festive to make during the busy holiday season because it can be used for delicious signature co*cktails or mocktails.

  • Author: Katy McAvoy
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 15 min
  • Yield: 12 oz 1x
  • Category: Mocktails
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • Juice from 1 medium orange
  • Peel from 1 medium orange

Instructions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the outside of the orange. Try to get as little of the white part (the pith) as possible.

Place cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, and orange peels into a small pot over medium heat.

Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Allow the mixture to cool for 10 minutes. Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and strain the mixture through the sieve.

Discard the cranberries or remove the peels and use the remaining mixture as compote for charcuterie.

Chill syrup completely before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 oz
  • Calories: 179
  • Sugar: 44.1 g
  • Sodium: 2.8 mg
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46.6 g
  • Fiber: 1.1 g
  • Protein: 0.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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About Katy McAvoy

Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make co*cktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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Cranberry Orange Simple Syrup Recipe for co*cktails and Mocktails (2024)

FAQs

Can you mix cranberry juice and orange juice together? ›

Drinking orange juice may also increase good HDL cholesterol and decrease "bad" LDL cholesterol that could lead to chronic disease. Livestrong suggests combining orange juice with cranberry juice to create a refreshing, blended drink.

What does simple syrup do for drinks? ›

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water. That's literally it. Simple syrup disperses sweetness evenly throughout beverages of any temperature, making it a key component of many iced drinks and co*cktails (like sparkling beet lemonade or a whiskey sour).

What is cranberry juice co*cktail? ›

Cranberry Juice co*cktail. Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness ...

Is juice co*cktail alcoholic? ›

A juice co*cktail is a beverage that is made by combining various fruit juices with other ingredients such as sweeteners, flavorings, and sometimes alcohol.

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

Which juices should not be mixed? ›

3. Avoid mixing acidic fruits with sweet fruits. Acidic and sub-acidic fruits such as grapefruits, strawberries, apples, pomegranates, and peaches, should never be combined with sweet fruits such as bananas and raisins. This is because it often leads to digestive problems, nausea, acidosis, and headaches.

What syrup do bartenders use? ›

Many bartenders and home co*cktail enthusiasts prefer to use rich simple syrup because of the rich syrup's thicker texture. It can add a little more body to your co*cktails. Brown sugar syrup: This variation uses the same 1:1 ratio as regular simple syrup, but with light or dark brown sugar.

What are the disadvantages of simple syrup? ›

Disadvantages of Syrup
  • Syrup should only be used in moderation as part of a healthy diet because it is heavy in calories and sugar. ...
  • It can get pricey, particularly if you purchase premium speciality syrups. ...
  • Some syrups-like corn syrup, for example-are highly processed and could include artificial chemicals.

Does simple syrup need to be refrigerated? ›

Refrigerating simple syrup extends its shelf life and slows the future growth of bacteria. You can keep it at room temperature, but it will go bad much faster. If you plan use up it up within a few days, it can be stored at room temperature. Otherwise I highly recommend storing it in the fridge or freezer.

Which alcohol goes best with cranberry juice? ›

Classic vodka

Cherry vodka also pairs well with cranberry juice and gives the co*cktail a dark, moodier color appropriate for an autumnal or winter gathering. Vanilla vodka creates a dessert-like delight. Use equal parts flavored vodka and unflavored if you want a subtler effect.

What alcohol mixes well with cranberry juice? ›

Other great mixers for cranberry juice are grapefruit juice and pineapple juice. Cranberry juice also goes well with alcohols such as vodka, rum, gin, champagne, or red wine.

What is a vodka and cranberry drink called? ›

The Cape Cod or Cape Codder is a type of co*cktail consisting of vodka and cranberry juice. Some recipes also call for squeezing a lime wedge over the glass and dropping it into the drink.

What is the most famous mocktail? ›

Top 15 best mocktails to order at a bar
  • Shirley Temple. Let's start at our roots with a good ol' Shirley Temple! ...
  • Virgin Mojito. Mojitos are a delicious, refreshing option if you're a co*cktail lounge that has mint leaves behind the bar. ...
  • Arnold Palmer. ...
  • Virgin mule. ...
  • Roy Rogers. ...
  • No tequila sunrise. ...
  • Soda, cran, lime. ...
  • N/A beers.

What is a mocktail co*cktail? ›

noun. mock·​tail ˈmäk-ˌtāl. plural mocktails. : a usually iced drink made with any of various ingredients (such as juice, herbs, and soda water) but without alcohol : a nonalcoholic co*cktail. Though London may be home to some of the world's tastiest co*cktails, it's also got some of the best mocktails going, too.

What is the difference between a mocktail and a co*cktail? ›

A: The main difference between a mocktail and a co*cktail is that mocktails don't contain any alcohol whereas co*cktails contain alcohol. Mocktails are often generally sweet due to that.

Does cranberry juice taste good with orange juice? ›

Cranberries and orange juice combine with agave to create a festive drink that's a beautiful holiday red, has all the sweet and tangy flavors of the season, and just makes the holiday feel so much more merry and bright. It's a great drink to serve to family and friends around the fire on a cold Christmas day.

Can you mix cranberry juice with other juices? ›

SO, you can do the same as food manufactures. Buy the 100% cranberry, then add a splash of water and sweet, low nutrition juice like apple or grape juice to make sweeter.

Can you mix vitamin C and cranberry juice? ›

No interactions were found between cranberry and Vitamin C.

What two juices go together? ›

Stay hydrated with these easy, refreshing, & nutrient-dense fresh juice combinations:
  • Watermelon+ Raspberries.
  • Apple + Blueberries.
  • Pineapple + Ginger.
  • Orange + Carrot.
  • Pear + Cucumber.
  • Papaya + Nectarine.
  • Cantaloupe + Kiwi.
  • Grapefruit + Mandarin Orange.

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