Vodka & Cranberry Blush
A crisp pink vodka drink with cranberry, lime, a little sparkle, and just enough sweetness to round it out. It is simple to shake for one glass, but easy to scale for a small gathering.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
Vodka and cranberry is a classic for a reason: it is bright, tart, and easy to mix without special bar tools. This blush version adds fresh lime and a splash of sparkling water for a lighter, cleaner finish.
Use cranberry juice cocktail for a softer, sweeter drink, or choose 100% cranberry juice if you like a sharper sip. Either way, shake it well with ice so the cocktail lands cold and nicely diluted.
This recipe makes one drink. If you are serving friends, mix the vodka, cranberry, lime, and syrup ahead, then add sparkling water right before pouring.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka, chilled if possible
- 3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- 2 ounces chilled sparkling water or club soda
- Lime wheel or a few fresh cranberries, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Fill a rocks glass or stemless wine glass with ice and set it aside while you mix. A cold glass keeps the drink bright and refreshing.
2. Add the vodka
Pour 1 1/2 ounces vodka into a cocktail shaker. If you do not have a shaker, use a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Add the juices
Pour in the cranberry juice cocktail and fresh lime juice. Fresh lime gives the drink a clean tart flavor; bottled lime can taste flat or bitter.
4. Sweeten lightly
Add the simple syrup. This is a mixture of sugar and water, usually in equal parts. It blends into cold drinks more smoothly than granulated sugar.
5. Shake with ice
Add a handful of ice to the shaker. Seal it and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold.
6. Strain over fresh ice
Empty any melted ice water from the chilled glass if needed. Fill the glass with fresh ice, then strain the cocktail into the glass.
7. Add the sparkle
Top with the chilled sparkling water or club soda. Pour slowly so the bubbles stay lively.
8. Garnish and serve
Add a lime wheel or a few fresh cranberries. Serve right away while the drink is cold and fizzy.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Combine the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup up to 24 hours ahead. Keep covered in the refrigerator. Shake with ice and add sparkling water just before serving.
- Batch it: For 6 cocktails, mix 9 ounces vodka, 18 ounces cranberry juice cocktail, 3 ounces lime juice, and 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup. Chill, then shake or stir with ice in batches and top each glass with 2 ounces sparkling water.
- Storage: Once sparkling water is added, this drink is best served right away. Leftovers will lose their bubbles and taste more diluted.
- Swap the juice: Unsweetened 100% cranberry juice makes a much tarter drink. If using it, increase the simple syrup to 1/2 ounce, or sweeten to taste.
- Make it less sweet: Skip the simple syrup or use unsweetened sparkling water instead of club soda with minerals. Taste before serving and adjust with a squeeze of lime.
- No shaker? Use a clean jam jar with a lid, or stir the vodka, cranberry, lime, and syrup very well with ice for about 30 seconds.
Cook's note
This is an alcoholic drink intended for adults of legal drinking age. Nutrition will change if you use unsweetened cranberry juice, diet cranberry juice, flavored vodka, tonic water, or extra syrup. The values below are based on the listed ingredients, including cranberry juice cocktail and 1/4 ounce simple syrup.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I use unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail?
Yes, but the drink will be much more tart. Start with 1/2 ounce simple syrup instead of 1/4 ounce, then adjust to taste.
What is simple syrup, and how do I make it?
Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in water. Stir 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup hot water until clear, then cool. Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Can I make this without sparkling water?
Yes. Skip the sparkling water for a stronger, more classic vodka-cranberry style drink, or replace it with more cranberry juice for a softer sip.
What glass should I use?
A rocks glass, highball glass, or stemless wine glass all work. Choose a glass with room for ice and the sparkling water.
Can I make a nonalcoholic version?
Yes. Replace the vodka with extra sparkling water or a nonalcoholic spirit. Add a little more lime or cranberry if you want a bolder flavor.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium2 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate20 g
- 7%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars18 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium2 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium29 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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