This homemade cranberry simple syrup recipe delivers vibrant, fresh cranberry flavor using REAL berries, not watered-down juice concentrate. It delivers bright, tart cranberry taste that mixes perfectly into any beverage without settling or being too thick to mix.
With over 10 years of experience creating home-crafted beverages, I know how challenging it can be to get the flavor of real fruit into your drinks. This syrup solves that problem! Use it in all your holiday cocktails and mocktails to give them a boost of bold berry flavor that store-bought syrups wish they had. Make a batch of festive Moscow mules or a seasonal cranberry mocktail and get ready to let the compliments roll in! 😎
why this cranberry syrup recipe works:
💥 bursting with berry flavor. No, this isn’t the flavor of watered-down juice spiked with sugar— this easy recipe is the real deal, no artificial flavors.
😌 simple process. Only 20 minutes of hands-on time and just 4 ingredients, this cranberry syrup has the perfect consistency that won’t gel or settle like other cranberry syrup recipes.
🎁 multi-purpose. This syrup is the ideal consistency for flavoring cocktails, mocktails, and it also makes an impressive holiday gift!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 step-by-step process for making cranberry syrup
Step 1: Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan, and heat it over medium heat.
Step 2: Add in 1 cup of sugar, stirring until it dissolves.
Step 3: Once the sugar is dissolved, add in the berries and allow the mixture to gently simmer over medium-low heat.
Step 4: Turn off the heat to the stovetop and add in 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
Step 5: Allow the syrup to cool slightly. Then, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cranberries.
Step 6: Store your finished cranberry simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge.
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ what to make with cranberry syrup
cocktails
- cranberry martini- taste the difference fresh cranberries can make by using this syrup in a cosmo martini!
- cranberry margarita – a classic lime margarita is always a great choice, but by adding in a bit of this simple syrup in place of agave in your recipe, you’ll get a super festive batch of cranberry margaritas!
- cranberry mule – AKA a Yule Mule, the cranberry Moscow mule is a classic winter-time cocktail! It mixes the flavors of cranberry, lime, and ginger beer with vodka or rum.
- liqueur – I love making homemade liqueurs, and this cranberry liqueur recipe uses this exact cranberry syrup to sweeten it!
mocktails
- cranberry ginger ale mocktail – this zero-proof cranberry mule is perfect for the holiday season!
- homemade cranberry soda pop – make your own homemade sodas by adding 1-2 ounces of simple syrup to sparkling water or seltzer water.
- cranberry iced tea – add this syrup to your favorite iced tea for a subtle hint of sweet cranberry flavor. It also works well in lemonade!
cooking, baking, + gifting
- gift a bottle – this syrup makes an excellent hostess gift, especially during the holidays!
- keep baked goods moist – use this simple syrup to brush layer cakes and keep them moist between layers!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too thick – if your syrup came to a rolling boil or a high simmer, your final outcome may be closer to pancake syrup than simple syrup. This is because cranberries are very high in pectin, which acts as a thickening agent. You can add more water, 1/4 cup at a time, until it gets back to a thinner consistency.
- too tart – if your syrup is too tart, you can increase the amount of sugar by 2 tbsp at a time until it reaches a better balance.
🔆 top tip
It is very important to not let the mix get too hot. Cranberries are high in pectin, which is a thickening agent, so if you allow your mix to boil or simmer for too long, it will become thicker. This will give you a thicker syrup which won’t mix into beverages as easily. If this happens, you can blend the berries up and make this cranberry sauce!
taste as you go!
Taste your cranberry syrup as you make it, to determine if you would like to add more sugar or if you like the tartness. If you want more sugar, add it in 2 TBSP at a time until you get the flavor you like!
♻️ customize your cranberry simple syrup
- frozen cranberries – the best thing about cranberries is how well they freeze, so you can easily swap frozen cranberries in this recipe! You can seriously just throw a bag of fresh cranberries in the freezer when they are freshest, and they’ll be better than other frozen berries you can buy. 🤣
- sugar – you can use brown sugar or another type of sweetener. If you decide to use honey or agave nectar, use 1/8th to 1/4 cup less sweetener, then increase from there as you taste your syrup.
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
use non-reactive tools!
A non-reactive pan, like stainless steel or enameled cast iron, doesn’t react to acidic substances. Do not use aluminum pans for this recipe; cranberries are acidic and aluminum tools can leave a metallic taste in your finished syrup.
🫙 how to store cranberry syrup
Store your simple syrup in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
💬 q+a
How long does this cranberry simple syrup last?
This simple syrup is best used within two weeks. If you want to store it any longer, you can freeze it.
How can I use this cranberry simple syrup?
Use this syrup in any cocktail or mocktail that you want cranberry flavor in! It works wonderfully in mules, mojitos, and homemade lemonade!
Can I use this simple syrup instead of cranberry juice?
If you have a recipe that calls for cranberry juice cocktail, you can use this syrup in that. You may want to start with a half ounce of syrup, then the rest of the measurement in water, and taste as you go. For recipes that call for unsweetened cranberry juice, it’s best to use the juice instead of this syrup.
Easy Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe (Perfect for Drinks)
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Equipment
- 1 1.5-quart saucepan non-reactive metal, like stainless steel or enameled cast iron
- 1 spatula or spoon
- 1 fine mesh sieve
- 1 glass measuring cup
Ingredients
- 290 g cranberries fresh or frozen, 2.5 cups
- 297 g filtered water 1 1/4 cups
- 250 g granulated sugar 1 1/4 cups
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Heat water. Pour water into a 1.5-quart non-reactive saucepan and heat over medium-low heat.297 g filtered water
- Add sugar. Add the sugar to the pan, and stir until it dissolves.250 g granulated sugar
- Add cranberries. Once the sugar is dissolved, add in the cranberries.290 g cranberries
- Gently infuse. Allow the mix to heat over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes (or even longer for more intense flavor).
- Add lemon. After 15-20 minutes, add in fresh lemon juice, if using.1 tbsp lemon juice
- Cool. Remove from the heat and allow your syrup to cool.
- Strain. Pour your syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the whole berries. For a clearer syrup, be careful not to smash the berries.
- Store. Store your finished syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too thick – if your syrup came to a rolling boil or a high simmer, your final outcome may be closer to pancake syrup than simple syrup. This is because cranberries are very high in pectin, which acts as a thickening agent. You can add more water, 1/4 cup at a time, until it gets back to a thinner consistency.
- too tart – if your syrup is too tart, you can increase the amount of sugar by 2 tbsp at a time until it reaches a better balance.
