The perfect Thanksgiving cocktail. This cranberry orange bourbon cocktail is a mellower, tastier interpretation of an old fashioned.
This cranberry orange bourbon cocktail is a sophisticated twist on the classic Old Fashioned that’s perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Made with fresh-squeezed orange juice, bourbon, homemade ginger simple syrup, and brandied cranberries, this holiday cocktail balances bright citrus with warm autumn spices.
If you’re an Old Fashioned lover like me (it’s my go-to drink at every bar), you’ll love this seasonal variation. It keeps that beloved orange-bourbon combination but adds festive cranberries and a lighter, more refreshing profile that won’t weigh you down during your holiday feast.
Reasons to Love This Bourbon Cocktail:
- Craft cocktail lounge-quality at home!
- Make-ahead friendly – Prepare the brandied cranberries and syrups up to 2 weeks in advance
- Beautiful presentation – Garnished with dried orange crisps and jewel-toned cranberries
- Perfectly balanced – Not too sweet, with just the right amount of tartness to refresh your palate
What Makes This Thanksgiving Cocktail Special
The Bourbon Base
I use Jefferson’s Reserve bourbon for this cocktail, though any quality bourbon you enjoy in an Old Fashioned will work beautifully. The key is choosing a bourbon with enough character to stand up to the bright citrus and tart cranberries.
Fresh Orange Juice Makes a Difference
Always use fresh-squeezed orange juice for the best flavor. I prefer pulpy OJ, but you can strain it if you like it smooth. The fresh citrus brightens the whole drink and keeps it from being too heavy.
Homemade Brandied Cranberries
If you can brandy cherries, why not cranberries? These homemade brandied cranberries are tart, boozy, and absolutely delicious. They sit in a mixture of brandy, sugar syrup, and cinnamon for at least 48 hours, developing complex flavors that complement the bourbon perfectly.
The tartness is intentional—after eating turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, you need that bright pop of flavor to wake up your palate. Plus, eating the brandied cranberry at the end of your drink might just keep you awake enough to avoid dish duty!
Orange Ginger Simple Syrup
The homemade simple syrup infused with fresh ginger and orange peel adds warmth and complexity without overpowering the drink. It’s subtly spiced and takes just 20 minutes to make.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Cocktail:
- Bourbon – Jefferson’s Reserve is my favorite, but use any bourbon you’d drink in an Old Fashioned (Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace all work well)
- Fresh orange juice – Bottled won’t give you the same vibrant flavor
- Bitters – Angostura or orange bitters both work
- Crushed ice – Chills the drink quickly and dilutes it just enough
Brandied Cranberries:
- Fresh cranberries – Frozen will work in a pinch, but fresh are best
- Brandy – Use a decent quality brandy, nothing too expensive
- Cinnamon stick – Adds warm spice notes
- Can’t make them? Substitute store-bought brandied cherries or Luxardo cherries
Orange Ginger Syrup:
- Fresh ginger – Peel and slice into thin matchsticks for maximum flavor
- Orange peel – Use a vegetable peeler to get wide strips without the bitter white pith
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
How to Assemble Cocktail
Step 1: Make the Brandied Cranberries (48 hours ahead)
- Combine ¼ cup water and ¾ cup sugar in a small pot and bring to a boil. Add 6 oz fresh cranberries and stir until coated. Cook for just 30-45 seconds (before they start popping).
- Transfer to a ½-liter jar with a cinnamon stick. Pour in ½ cup brandy and enough sugar syrup to fill the jar.
- Refrigerate for at least 48 hours (they get better with time!).
Step 2: Make the Orange Ginger Simple Syrup (20 minutes)
- Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, ginger matchsticks, and orange peels in a pot.
- Bring to a boil until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Step 3: Build the Cocktail
- Fill a lowball glass halfway with crushed ice.
- Add 2 oz fresh-squeezed orange juice.
- Add 2 oz bourbon, 1½ tsp orange ginger syrup, 1½ tsp brandied cranberry syrup, and a dash of bitters. Stir well to combine.
- Top with more crushed ice. Garnish with brandied cranberries, dried orange crisp, and fresh mint.
Expert Tips
Prep ahead for parties: Make both the brandied cranberries and simple syrup up to 2 weeks in advance. When guests arrive, you can assemble drinks in minutes.
Adjust the sweetness: Start with the recommended 1½ tsp of each syrup, then adjust to taste. Some bourbons are sweeter than others.
Batch it for crowds: Yes, you can make Old Fashioned-style drinks in bulk! Multiply the recipe by the number of servings, combine everything except ice in a pitcher, and let guests serve themselves over ice.
The dried orange crisp: These add a crispy textural element you rarely get in cocktails. You can order them online or make your own by dehydrating thin orange slices at 200°F for 2-3 hours.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry orange bourbon cocktail is perfect for:
- Thanksgiving dinner (serve as an aperitif or alongside dessert)
- Holiday parties (batch the recipe for 8-10 servings)
- Christmas gatherings
- New Year’s Eve celebrations
- Cozy winter evenings by the fire
Pairs beautifully with:
- Rich, savory dishes like turkey and ham
- Pumpkin desserts
- Cheese boards with aged cheddar and brie
- Spiced nuts and appetizers
Frequently Asked Questions
While I recommend assembling the cocktail fresh, you can prep all the components (brandied cranberries, simple syrup, and fresh OJ) ahead. Store them separately and mix when ready to serve.
It’s similar strength to an Old Fashioned (2 oz bourbon), but the fresh orange juice and ice make it more refreshing and easier to sip.
Any rocks glass or tumbler works! A traditional Old Fashioned glass is perfect, but you can use whatever you have.
Fresh is always better for cocktails. The bright, natural flavor of fresh-squeezed OJ makes a noticeable difference in the final drink.
Cranberry Orange Bourbon with Brandied Cranberries
Ingredients
- 2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 ½ teaspoon orange ginger simple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon brandied cranberries syrup (recipe follows)
- dash of bitters
- brandied cranberries
Orange Ginger Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced into small matchsticks
- orange peels from half an orange
Brandied Cranberries (in syrup):
- 6 oz fresh cranberries, washed and picked
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup brandy
Instructions
- Fill lowball glass half full of crushed ice. Add orange juice, bourbon, orange ginger simple syrup, brandied cranberries syrup, and a dash of bitters. Stir to combine. Add additional ice, if necessary. Garnish with brandied cranberries and dried orange crisp.
Orange Ginger Simple Syrup:
- In a medium pot, combine water, sugar, ginger, and orange peels. Bring mixture to a boil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Cover pot with lid and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain ginger and orange peels. Transfer simple syrup to an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to use. Keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
Brandied Cranberries:
- In a small pot, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add cranberries and stir until coated in syrup. Cook for 30-45 seconds just before the cranberries start to pop open. Remove from heat and transfer to a ½ liter jar. Add cinnamon stick. Pour in brandy. Pour in enough sugar syrup to fill the jar. Cover with lid and let chill in the fridge for at least 48 hours before using. The longer it sits, the better it gets!
Notes
- If you don’t have time to make brandied cranberries, feel free to use store-bought brandied cherries.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!More Holiday Cocktails You’ll Love
Looking for more festive drink ideas? Try these cocktails from The Little Epicurean:
- Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail – Bright, floral, and stunning
- Bourbon Pumpkin Cocktail – Fall flavors in a glass
- Orange Vanilla Mulled Wine – Warm and cozy
- Spiced Whiskey Cobbler – Another bourbon lover’s dream
- Cranberry Mint Julep – A lighter cranberry option
This looks amazing! I’m thinking of making this for a group of 11 people (maybe 2 drinks per person), and trying to figure out how much of the simple syrup and brandied cherries to make. How much of each does this recipe produce? What would be your recommendation?
I suggest doubling both the simple syrup and brandied cranberries recipe.
I know that making Old Fashions in bulk is pretty close to blasphemy, but do you think this could be made in a larger quantity and put in a pitcher for a cocktail party. I really don’t want to spend the party making individual drinks if I don’t have to, but this sure would make a statement! Thanks!
My favorite part about this post is the fish spoon you used to stir the cocktail.
Thanks Alex! lol didn’t you buy it with me?
Oh man…… this is the best sounding cocktail! Right there with ya about the old fashioneds. Since I’m going to my husband’s mom’s for Thanksgiving, I probably shouldn’t drink too many of those suckers. ha! I’ve been wanting to bring stuff for fancy cocktails that won’t knock us out. Thanks so much for the idea!
Trish
Yay, a fellow old fashioned fan! Happy Thanksgiving :)
I would be a very happy girl having this for Thanksgiving. I think I would drink a bit too much in fact!
It’s the holidays, you’re supposed to enjoy! :)
Oh my gosh, I love everything about this! (Especially those orange crisps, those are addicting!) The cranberries are gorgeous, I am definitely adding this to my Thanksgiving menu!
Thanks Jess! Yes, I can’t stop eating those orange crisps! :)