Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail

The perfect Thanksgiving cocktail. This cranberry orange bourbon cocktail is a mellower, tastier interpretation of an old fashioned.

I’ll have an old fashioned, please!

That’s my signature drink.  

Without a doubt, unless we’re at a place that has fantastic wine, you betcha I’m ordering an old fashioned.

There’s something about orange and bourbon that just works well together.  

Here’s a lighter version of that cocktail that is perfect for the holidays.

This cranberry orange bourbon is my stand-in cocktail this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Bourbon Cocktail

Playing off the orange and bourbon combination, this cocktail combines orange juice with my one of my favorite bourbons EVER, Jefferson’s Reserve.

In keeping with the orange theme, I’ve used a simple syrup incorporated with orange peels and ginger.

And finally, to top this fabulous cocktail, it will be garnished with dried orange crisps and brandied cranberries.

Homemade Brandied Cranberries

I’m a big fan of brandied cherries.  I figure, if you can brandy a cherry, there’s no reason why you can’t brandy a cranberry.

Since it’s the holiday season, an obligatory cranberry post is in order.

 I’m not the biggest fan of cranberry sauce (regardless of whether it’s homemade or canned), but Thanksgiving would feel like an ordinary Thursday without some cranberries on the table.

That’s why last year I made this cranberry mint julep.  

I’m keeping my boozy, thirsty Thanksgiving tradition going with this cranberry orange bourbon cocktail!

Cranberries are tart.  Even when you soak them in brandy, they’re still going to be a bit tart at the core.  

And that’s okay.  Tart is good.  This cocktail needs that little shock of brightness.

After you’ve had one too many servings of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, you’re going to need a cocktail.

Midway through the drink you’ll start getting food coma, so you eat the brandied cranberry floating in your drink.  

It’ll open your eyes. The brandy and the burst of tartness will wake up you.

Those brandied cranberries will be that push that prevents you from falling asleep in front of the TV watching football.  You’re welcome.

(Unless, you want to fall asleep so you don’t have to help with the dishes.  In that case, sorry!)

How to assemble cocktail:

• 1. Gather all your ingredients.  Fill a highball glass with crushed ice.

• 2. Add 2 oz of fresh squeezed orange juice.  Fresher is always better.  I like my OJ with a lot of pulp, but feel free to strain it out.

• 3. Add 1 1/2 tsp of orange ginger syrup, 1 1/2 tsp of the brandied cranberries syrup, and a dash of bitters.  Stir to combine.

• 4. Add additional ice as necessary.  Garnish cocktail with brandied cherries, dried orange crisp, and fresh mint.

These dried orange crisps are from Simple & Crisp up in Seattle.  I love them not only because they’re beautiful and tasty- but crispy!

When do you ever get a crispy component in a cocktail?!  Never. Unless you count the hors d’oeuvres you have in your other hand, but that doesn’t count because it’s not technically inside your drink.

What are you going to be drinking this Thanksgiving? Mulled wine, sangria, margaritas?

Related Holiday Cocktail Recipes

• Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail
• Bourbon Pumpkin Cocktail
• Orange Vanilla Mulled Wine
• Spiced Whiskey Cobbler