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.
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.
Would you like to save this recipe?
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
Would you like to save this recipe?
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!!!