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    Home » Vodka » Cranberry Martini

    Published: Feb 11, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Cranberry Martini

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Martini on a marble background with a bowl of fresh cranberries and lime wedges for garnishes.
    Martini glasses filled with pink drinks with cranberries and lime wedges.
    Pink drink in martini glasses with floating cranberries.
    Cranberry Martini in tall glass with fresh cranberries and lime wedges.
    tall martini glass filled with pink drink.
    shaker pouring drink into glass.

    Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, this 4-ingredient Cranberry Martini recipe is a tasty twist on a traditional Cosmo. The difference? One simple ingredient. Mix it up in minutes and say hello to your new favorite happy hour martini.

    Pink martini with cranberries on a white board. this recipe

    This cocktail is for all of the Cosmo lovers out there. Now, we love a classic Cosmo recipe just like everyone else, but we'd like to introduce you to her smoother sister: The Cranberry Martini.

    One glance at this gorgeous drink and you would think its a cosmo, but it's not. There is a small, yet significant, difference between the two drinks: the vodka.

    Jump to:
    • Why this Cranberry Martini is so good
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert Tips for the Best Martinis
    • Favorite Martini Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why this Cranberry Martini is so good

    • This martini uses blackberry or currant vodka instead of plain or citrus vodka and that makes a huge difference.
    • The ingredient list is short. You only need 4 ingredients for this stellar sipper.
    • It's easy! You can make one or a batch in no time at all. If you have 5 minutes and a cocktail shaker, you are set.

    Ingredients

    You only need 4 ingredients for this pretty in pink drink!

    Ingredients for cranberry martini on white board.

    Ingredient Notes:

    • Cranberry juice - Use 100% cranberry juice for the best flavor.
    • Lime juice - Fresh is best. Save the bottled juice for another use.
    • Blackberry vodka -Flavored vodka is a must for this drink.

    Instructions

    This gorgeous cocktail takes seconds to mix and makes a great batch cocktail!

    Hand pouring clear liquor into mason jar filled with ice.

    Fill a shaker with ice and add blackberry vodka and triple sec.

    Hand pouring juices into mason jar filled with ice.

    Add cranberry Juice and lime juice.

    Mason jar pouring cocktail into martini glass.

    Shake vigorously to combine. Strain into glass and serve.

    Garnish with lime wedges, twists or float fresh cranberries.

    FAQs

    Does it matter what kind of vodka I use?


    Yes, it does! A lot! Even though it is a small amount, the blackberry vodka gives this drink its berry flavor and adds a lot of depth to the cranberry and orange.

    What kind of cranberry juice should I use?


    This recipe calls for sweetened cranberry juice. Because you aren't adding any additional simple syrup, definitely seek out the sweetened cranberry juice. If you try to use unsweetened cranberry juice, the cocktail will be too tart.

    Why do you shake a martini?


    The simple answer is to make your drink cold. The more scientific answer is, citrus juice and alcohol have different densities and won't mix easily unless they are shaken together.

    However, if a drink is all liquor, like the best old fashioned recipe, a Perfect Manhattan Cocktail Recipe or a negroni, stirring is the way to go.

    Martini in tall glass on a white background with fresh cranberries and lime wedges for garnish.

    Expert Tips for the Best Martinis

    ✘ Squeeze limes for fresh juice. It truly is the difference between a mediocre martini and a fabulous one. This handheld juicer makes squeezing fresh citrus fruits a snap.

    ✘ Use good vodka. You always want to pull out the good stuff when making martinis because they are the star of the show. Our favorite brands are Grey Goose, Esmé, Absolut or Ketel One. Save the less expensive vodkas for your Bloody Mary.

    ✘ Shake your drinks for a full 30-60 seconds. Shaking the martini serves 2 purposes. It makes your drink cold and fully emulsifies the juices with the alcohol so every sip is perfectly balanced.

    Martini on a white background with a shaker in the background with fresh cranberries and lime wedges.

    Favorite Martini Recipes

    We love to serve martinis when friends come over! Check out some of our go-to cocktails!

    • Pomegranate Martini
    • Godiva Chocolate Martini
    • Lemon Drop Martini Recipe
    • Blueberry Martini Recipe

    Check out all of our drink recipes in our archives!

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    martini glass filled with pink drink.

    Metropolitan Cranberry Martini

    Garnish With Lemon
    Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart this Metropolitan Cranberry Martini is an updated twist on the traditional cosmo!
    4.76 from 45 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Vodka
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 martini
    Calories 350 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set
    • Martini Glass

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces Blackberry Vodka
    • 2 ounces Triple Sec
    • 1 ounce Cranberry juice
    • 1 ounce Lime juice
    • Fresh cranberries or lime wedge for garnish optional

    Instructions
     

    • Place vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
    • Shake well and strain into martini glass.

    Notes

    ✘ Squeeze limes for fresh juice. It truly is the difference between a mediocre martini and a fabulous one.
    ✘ Use good vodka. Martinis are a time to pull out the good stuff. Our favorite brands are Grey Goose, Esmé, Absolut or Ketel One. Save the less expensive vodkas for your Bloody Mary.
    ✘ Shake your drinks for a full 30-60 seconds. Shaking the martini serves 2 purposes. It makes your drink cold and combines the juice with the alcohol.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSodium: 7mgFiber: 9gSugar: 27g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Blueberry Martini Recipe
    Tequila Old Fashioned »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cathy says

      December 12, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      How would you make this in a big batch for a party?

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        December 14, 2020 at 11:32 am

        Hi Cathy,
        Simply multiply the ingredient amounts by the number of drinks you want to make! I make them ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator without ice and then shake over ice before serving! Good luck!

        Reply
    2. Bernadette says

      November 17, 2020 at 7:09 pm

      I prefer to make my own fruit vodka. I would infuse vodka with the blackberries 3 days before! I always get my shakers ready, preferably three and then just add ice and shake when guests arrive!

      Reply
    3. Chloe says

      April 14, 2017 at 3:06 pm

      Has anyone made these like the day before their event so all you had to do was add ice and shake and strain??
      If so did they still taste good?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        April 17, 2017 at 6:11 am

        Hi Chloe, I haven't made this exact cocktail in advance, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. We prep a lot of our cocktails ahead of time with no problem. Let us know if it works for you!

        Reply
    4. Judy Wilson says

      May 09, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      I like that this martini has cranberry and lime in it. That seems like a great flavor combination. Adding cranberries or a lime wedge would be a great garnish. I wonder if I can ask to have this made the next time I go to a bar. Thanks for posting this!

      Reply

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    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 8 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

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