Happy Black Friday! (That sounds wrong, doesn’t it?) For some of us this is a day of (un)rest, right after Thanksgiving. If you’re not out shopping, you’re dealing with leftovers. In either case, this cocktail made from cranberry sauce (found at Thug Kitchen) comes in so handy.
Aren't we always looking for new ways to use leftover cranberry sauce? It can definitely be used to make delicious Cranberry Sauce Bars. But for something different, why not make a cranberry sauce cocktail? So fun!
How to make this cranberry sauce cocktail
Do you have a cocktail shaker? That will make this easier. But if you don’t, just get yourself a big jar with a tight fitting lid. As long as you can close it and shake it, that should do the trick.
As indicated, this drink is made with leftover cranberry sauce (although you’re certainly welcome to use store-bought cranberry juice). To this, add vodka and orange liqueur, and a little juice (orange and lemon). Like Elvis, this gets “all shook up.” Add some ice and the more you shake, the better, in order to break the cranberry sauce into smaller pieces. If your sauce is kinda chunky (like mine), you’ll probably have a little difficulty in the next step, LOL.
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The mixture is poured through the strainer into two glasses with ice, then topped off with tonic or sparkling water. I used orange flavored sparkling water for an even more citrus-y taste. It was delicious with the apricot flavors in my homemade sauce.
If your sauce mixture is still chunky or kind of thick, try removing the strainer and cleaning it a few times to get all the actual liquid out of the cocktail shaker.
This cranberry sauce cocktail should provide you with unique refreshment (and more space in the ‘fridge).
And by the way, I realized that this is my 100th post on this blog! So I think it is really appropriate to have this cocktail recipe as my post today. I for one will be raising a toast for this post!
Cheers!
📖 Recipe
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Cranberry Sauce Cocktail (spritzer)
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup cranberry sauce
- 4 shots vodka
- 3 shots orange liqueur
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 TB lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups tonic or sparkling water flavored if preferred
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker combine the cranberry sauce, vodka, orange liqueur and juices.
- Add ice, cover tightly and shake to mix. Continue shaking to help break up the pieces in the cranberry sauce.
- Add ice to two glasses and divide the cranberry mixture between them.
- Top off each glass with tonic or sparkling water.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
It looks delicious. I wish this were in front of me right now.
Sula
well, that's where one is in THIS house. LOL
Chef Dennis
This is definitely a wonderful idea for a cocktail! It looks soooo festive and tasty.
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Audrey
Very festive- perfect for the holidays.
Sula
Yes its one of my favorites for the holidays!
Emily Flint
My new favorite Thanksgiving cocktail has been found!! This is so refreshing and delightful, I can't wait to get my hands on more cranberry sauce...because now it's all gone! lol
Sula
LOL yes it works that way in this house too!!!
Angela
Cranberry orange is one of my favorite flavor combinations. This drink is perfect for Thanksgiving!
Sula
I agree, I love everything cranberry so I love to find inventive uses for the sauce!
Wanda
What an excellent and festive idea! I would have never thought to use cranberry sauce in a cocktail!
Sula
It's pretty fun!
Alisa Infanti
I would never have thought to use cranberry sauce this way but it turned out lovely.
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Alisa!
Kathryn Donangelo
Wow this is such a genius way to use up cranberry sauce! I love the creativity and this is such a delicious cocktail! I'm pregnant so I made this a mocktail and it was just as tasty and refreshing!
Sula
Yes it makes a delicious mocktail, just add enough orange flavor to give it the citrus tang. Congrats on your pregnancy, that's always cause to celebrate!
Jacqueline Meldrum
That's sounds wonderful! It would be perfect to seeve on Christmas Day.
Sula
Yes, after Thanksgiving I use this recipe all through December, including Christmas day. Its fun to have a unique cocktail for the season!
Beth
This sounds so good! My husband is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to make this for the weekend!
Sula
Enjoy!
Katie Crenshaw
Bring on Happy Hour! I can't wait to make this to sit on my front porch with. I love the flavor combinations and it is so easy to make!
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Nart at Cooking with Nart
This is such a delicious drink. And it's amazing that you can just use your leftover cranberry sauce to make it!
Sula
Yes it frustrated me to have leftover cranberry sauce and no way to use it. Problem solved!
Jess
I love the colors in this drink! So fun!
Sula
Fun colors make things taste better, don't you think? 🙂
Julia
What an interesting idea to use leftover cranberry sauce!
Sula
I hope you give it a try!
Big Trouble
THIS LOOKS SO REFRESHING! Like a good morning drink! 🙂 Great recipe, Sula!
Sula
LOLOLOL!
Vincit
Congratulations on your 100th post! That time sure flew by!
Sula
Thank you!