Vodka Cranberry with Lime
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This vodka cranberry with lime is light, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make. It’s a simple twist on a classic cocktail with just enough cranberry and lime to keep things bright and festive.
If you were to ask me my go-to cocktail I’d most likely say vodka soda without any hesitation. I like the fact that it’s light and refreshing while also being low in calories and sugar. I usually drink wine (gotta get those antioxidants), but if I’m going to order a cocktail, a vodka soda with lime is my number one.
This year, I thought it would be fun to put a festive spin on my go-to cocktail and came up with this vodka cranberry cocktail. It still has vodka, lime juice and sparkling water, but I added a little cranberry juice and cranberries for extra flavor and a festive pop of color.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Cocktail Recipe
- Light and refreshing: This cocktail comes in under 150 calories with about 10 grams of sugar, so it’s easy to enjoy without feeling weighed down.
- So easy to make: No muddling, no fancy steps. Just shake everything with ice, pour, top with sparkling water, and you’re done.
- Perfect for entertaining: It looks festive with minimal effort and works just as well for a holiday gathering as it does for a casual night in.
- A fun twist on a classic: If you love a vodka soda with lime, this cranberry version is an easy upgrade that still keeps things crisp and refreshing.
Ingredients Needed
- vodka – the base of the cocktail. I used original Absolut vodka, but any brand of vodka will work!
- cranberry juice – adds a festive pop of color and a slightly tart flavor that balances the drink. I used Lakewood’s organic cranberry blend.
- lime juice – I recommend freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor!
- sparkling water – adds light fizz and keeps the cocktail refreshing and not too sweet. I used lime La Croix, which gives this drink some citrus effervescence.
- fresh or sugared cranberries – this garnish makes the drink extra festive! Here is an easy to follow recipe for sugared cranberries.
How to Make Sparkling Vodka Cranberry
Prep glasses – Add vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice into a shaker with ice. Shake to combine.
Pour & enjoy – Pour mixture over ice and top off with sparkling water. Toss a few cranberries into the glass, garnish with a lime slice and enjoy!
Brittany’s Tips
- Use 100% cranberry juice or a blend you like: Pure cranberry juice is more tart, while a blend will be slightly sweeter. Either works, just adjust to your taste.
- Fresh lime juice makes a difference: It keeps the drink bright and balanced instead of flat.
- Chill everything first: Cold ingredients mean less dilution from ice and a crisper cocktail.
- Make it festive: Fresh or sugared cranberries add a pop of color with almost no extra effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the cranberry juice I used Lakewood’s organic cranberry blend. It’s 100% juice, but it has some sweet juices like apple and grape mixed in. Regular unsweetened cranberry juice is pretty tart so just keep that in mind when choosing which juice to use.
Yes! You can skip the sparkling water and enjoy it as a classic vodka cranberry with lime.
You can mix the vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Add ice, sparkling water, and garnishes right before serving.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Vodka Cranberry
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces vodka, about 1 shot
- 3 ounces cranberry juice, about 2 shots
- splash of lime juice
- lime sparkling water
- fresh cranberries
- ice
Instructions
- Add vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice into a shaker with ice. Shake to combine.
- Pour mixture over ice and top off with sparkling water. Toss a few cranberries into the glass and garnish with a lime slice.
Notes
- Feel free to swap sugared cranberries for the fresh cranberries to make the drink extra festive.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Been making this sans vodka and it is as you say, light and refreshing. Love taking the lime and rubbing the edge of the glass!! Ocean Spray has a great cranberry sparkling water that is a good substitute when you run out of cranberry juice. Another EBF success!!
Yay!! I’m so pumped to hear you tried and loved this recipe. Thanks for the review. I appreciate it.
Looks like the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail! Thanks for the suggestion.
Where can I purchase the cocktail shaker/pitcher used in the Sparking Vodka Cranberry recipe?
Thank you very much, Brittany, for this recipe of Sparkling Vodka Cranberry with Lime. A cocktail like this is a must in the summer season.
Adding few cranberries on top is a nice suggestion. Thank you very much. Keep sharing such articles.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Alex! Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it!
Are you using straight up NO SUGAR real cranberry juice? There are so many cranberry cocktail juices out there so just wondering. Would change the taste dramatically, I would think. Please let me know asap as I’m making this tonight and I bought regular no sugar added cranberry juice. Thanks!
Hey Janice – I always go for the 100% juice with no added sugar. The one I used in this recipe is Lakewood’s organic cranberry blend. It’s 100% juice, but it has some sweet juices like apple and grape mixed in. How’d your drinks turn out for you?!
Can’t wait to try this. Ty!
Do I just rinse cranberries or Blanche??
Hey Lucy! I normally use sugared cranberries as a topping in this drink. You can definitely just use fresh cranberries (cooked or uncooked).
I love the idea of this lime and cranberry cocktail for holiday parties, especially since it only uses 6 ingredients. I am hosting a party this December for a handful of my friends. This sparkling cocktail sounds like a great option for the occasion since it is both refreshing and festive.
Yes, it’s such a great holiday drink! Definitely let me know if you make it and what you think. 🙂