It’s time for cranberries to step out of the shadow of the can! This homemade cranberry liqueur recipe is the perfect way to celebrate cranberry season, and the best part is, you can make it with fresh or frozen berries, so you don’t need to wait for autumn produce!
With over ten years of experience making cocktails at home, I’m not ashamed to admit that I used to spend tons of money on crazy flavors of liqueurs. But when I bought a cranberry liqueur that tasted like cough syrup I vowed to stop buying bottles that would go on to sit in the back of the liquor cabinet and disappear into the darkness forever. Turns out, making your own liqueurs is fun and easy, and WAY more cost effective than dropping $30-40 on flavor roulette.
I started making liqueurs with my homemade limoncello recipe, and since then I’ve enjoyed creating exciting flavors out of even more unique and unexpected ingredients, like this one! You can use this liqueur in any cocktail that calls for a flavored liqueur, like a seasonal margarita or even a winter spritz drink like a poinsettia cocktail. I also love using liqueurs to customize party punches!
why this cranberry liqueur recipe works:
🎄 festive. This liqueur is perfect to add to any holiday cocktail recipe to amp up the cranberry flavor!
🤤 flavorful. Other cranberry liqueurs are made with flavor extracts and blended with a ton of ingredients. This liqueur is flavored like one thing: cranberries!
🤌 simple. Liqueurs are pretty much the “mix it and forget it” recipes of the cocktail world, and this one is no different. It takes some time, but the process is super simple!
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 how to make cranberry liqueur
1: Add cranberries to your large infusion jar.
2: Add a bit of 100 proof vodka from the bottle, filling about halfway up the cranberries.
3: Use an immersion blender to roughly chop the berries in the jar. Alternatively, you can do this step in a blender by pulsing briefly. You don’t want to puree them, but just chop them up a bit.
4: Add the rest of the vodka and seal the jar.
5: Allow the mix to rest in a cool dark place, for up to 1 month. Shake the jar every few days to incorporate the ingredients.
6: Strain your mix through a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh sieve to remove all the berry bits and pieces.
7: Add the simple syrup to your infusion.
8: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.
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💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ serving tips
- cranberry margarita – I love a good margarita, and this cranberry liqueur makes one that is super festive and flavorful!
- poinsettia cocktail – traditionally, this drink uses cranberry juice and orange juice, sort of like a festive mimosa! Adding a bit of cranberry liqueur gives the drink a bit more depth and a bite of cranberry flavor that juice just can’t replicate.
- cranberry spritz – want a simple cocktail to make with your liqueurs? Try a spritz, like a classic limoncello spritz, but swap this liqueur for the limoncello!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- too bitter – cranberries are very bitter in flavor, which is why cranberry juice cocktail has so much sugar in it. I like this liqueur being a bit bitter, it reminds me of an aperitif like Aperol! But if you find the taste to be too bitter, you can add more simple syrup to your liqueur, 2 ounces at a time, until the flavor is more balanced.
🔆 top tip
Make sure to use a cheesecloth to strain your infusion to remove as much sediment as possible.
♻️ customize your infusion
Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!
- regular plain vodka – you can use regular vodka in place of 100-proof vodka for making infusions.
- classic simple syrup – no time to make cranberry syrup? You can use regular simple syrup in place of cranberry syrup.
- add citrus or spices – the flavor of cranberry goes really well with citrus like oranges and lemon. It also blends nicely with warm holiday spices like allspice, cloves, and cinnamon, seen in this spiced cranberry syrup recipe!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 how to store homemade liqueur
Your finished cranberry liqueur should be stored in the fridge. I know, I know. Lots of folks will tell you that you can store it on the shelf, but I prefer to keep my infusions in the fridge or freezer for the best preservation of flavor. This also keeps them from spoiling, too. Homemade liqueurs can last up to 6 months before the flavor starts to break down, so consume within 6 months for the best taste.
💬 q+a
What’s the difference between a liqueur and an infused liquor?
Infused liquors, like this cranberry gin, are made in a shorter time period than infusions. Infusions are actually over-extracted, then sweetened with a sugar-based syrup, so they have a lower ABV and a more punchy flavor profile. A little goes a long way in a cocktail!
How do I know if my homemade liqueur has gone bad?
Signs that your cranberry liqueur has spoiled include an off smell (sour or fermented rather than boozy), mold growth, significant color changes (becoming brownish rather than ruby red), or strange floating particles (not including sediment at the bottom of the bottle). If you’re storing it properly in the refrigerator, these issues are unlikely within the first 6 months.
My cranberry liqueur tastes too harsh. What can I do?
If your liqueur tastes too harsh initially, allow it to “rest” for an additional 2-3 weeks after bottling. This aging process helps mellow the alcohol and allows the flavors to integrate better. You can also add more simple syrup to balance the sharpness.
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Homemade Cranberry Liqueur (How to Make a Cranberry Cordial)
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Equipment
- 1 large infusion jar
- 1 fine mesh strainer non-reactive strainer
- 1 measuring glass or kitchen scale
Ingredients
- 25 ounces 100 proof vodka 750 mL, 1 standard bottle
- 340 g whole cranberries 1 bag
- 16 ounces cranberry simple syrup 2 cups
Instructions
- Prep berries. Wash cranberries and remove any mushy or unripe berries, they’ll make your liqueur taste off.340 g whole cranberries
- Add a bit of vodka. Add a bit of 100 proof vodka from the bottle, filling about halfway up the cranberries.25 ounces 100 proof vodka
- Break up berries. Use an immersion blender to roughly chop the berries in the jar. Alternatively, you can do this step in a blender by pulsing briefly. You don’t want to puree them, but just chop them up a bit.
- Add more vodka. Add the rest of the vodka and allow the mix to rest in a cool dark place, for up to 1 month. Shake the jar every few days to incorporate the ingredients.25 ounces 100 proof vodka
- Prepare & add syrup. Make a batch of cranberry simple syrup or classic simple syrup. Add it to your infused liquor.16 ounces cranberry simple syrup
- Strain. Strain your mix through a cheesecloth lined fine mesh sieve to remove all the berry bits and pieces.
- Package. Bottle your liqueur and be sire to label it with the date.
- Store. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information
The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.
This is one of my favorites so far! Have one of these with turkey and it’s like Thanksgiving all year! This might sound crazy, but I have one of these as a nightcap and sleep like a baby. Not sure why, but it works better than anything!
Wait that’s amazing Sheila lol! Nightcaps are the real deal! 😂 And I agree, this cranberry liqueur recipe totally gives Thanksgiving vibes! Thanks so much for your review!