A light holiday cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime and fizzy sparkling water. Toss a few cranberries on top for a festive drink you’ll want to enjoy all season.
If you were to ask me my go-to cocktail I’d most likely say vodka, lime and soda water 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 vodka, lime and soda is my number one. Grapefruit and tequila is my number two, but I’ve already covered that in my skinny paloma post.
This year, I thought it would be fun to put a festive spin on my go-to cocktail and came up with this sparkling 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 pop of color.
It has less than 150 calories and 10 grams of sugar. And did I mention how easy this cocktail is whip up? No muddling necessary! Simply place everything in your shaker with ice, shake, shake shake, pour into a glass, top with sparkling water and cranberries and enjoy!
What Kind of Cranberry Juice Should You Use?
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.
Fresh vs. Sugared Cranberries
To really spruce things up I made a batch of sugared cranberries for garnish. You can use fresh cranberries, but the sugared cranberries look so festive and they’re perfect as a party snack.
Here’s What You Need For the Sparkling Vodka Cranberry
vodka – I used original Absolut vodka, but any brand of vodka will work!
If you try these sparkling vodka cocktails please be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other readers.
A light holiday cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime and fizzy sparkling water. Toss a few cranberries on top for a festive drink you’ll want to enjoy all season.
Ingredients
1 shot (1.5 ounces) vodka
2 shots (3 ounces) cranberry juice
splash of lime juice
Lime La Croix sparkling water
fresh cranberries (or sugared 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.
Nutrition
Serving Size:1
Calories:152
Sugar:9g
Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:12g
Fiber:1g
Protein:0g
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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?!
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.
It looks great. This is the right time to try such cocktails.
Actually, I made my own cocktail with London dry gin and cranberry juice. I hope it will give the same feel as like gin and cranberry juice cocktail.
Whatever, I’m sure that I will give a try on this awesome cocktail.
Thanks for sharing with us Brittany.
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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. 🙂
So simple and so elegant…my favorite combo! This cocktail is a perfect holiday drink serve. Beautiful photos! xo, Catherine
What a fab cocktail! So festive, and I couldn’t love those sugared cranberries more!
I adore cranberry drinks! So excited to try this!
When I don’t know what to drink, vodka, soda and a splash of some juice is my go to so this is basically that all dressed up for the season… <3
It looks great. This is the right time to try such cocktails.
Actually, I made my own cocktail with London dry gin and cranberry juice. I hope it will give the same feel as like gin and cranberry juice cocktail.
Whatever, I’m sure that I will give a try on this awesome cocktail.
Thanks for sharing with us Brittany.
I just love how refreshing this is! Which means it’s a year round cocktail. LIME love!!
I have fresh bog
Mmmmm I love the combination of cranberries and lime! The best!
This sounds wonderful, cranberries would be amazing with lime. Thanks!
It’s such a good combo and so festive for the holidays too!
I love the combination of cranberry + lime! This cocktail sounds delicious 🙂
Thanks Sarah!!