An Easy Cocktail Recipe for Holiday Parties
This easy cocktail recipe is perfect for your holiday parties. It’s not only beautiful to look at, but it tastes like Christmas in a cup. Bourbon based, this festive cocktail gets punchy flavor from a splash of cranberry juice and charred orange. It’s sweetened only with a touch of cranberry infused honey, and is a gorgeous addition to your next gathering. Plus I share a big batch cocktail version below!
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This post was created in partnership with Naturacentric Apothecary. While I received product and/or compensation for this post, my opinions and recommendations are my own. I only share products with you that I love.

Ready or not the holidays are upon us. This year, I’m optimistic that we will once again gather with friends and family from near and far. I’m an unapologetic planner. From the food and the tablescape, to the appetizers and the cocktails, holiday gatherings should be fun, comfortable, and most importantly, delicious.
A good holiday cocktail should look festive and be scalable. That way, you can mix up a big batch and put it in a pitcher so your guests can help themselves. This frees up some of your time to socialize (or baste the turkey). I like to set aside a “beverage station” on a smaller table in the gathering area. I equip the station with glassware, a bucket of ice, chilled white wine, red wine, a pitcher with a mixed cocktail, garnishes, and some nice sparkling and still bottled water.


An Easy Cocktail Recipe for the Holidays with Bourbon, Cranberry Honey and Charred Orange
This easy cocktail recipe is basically a riff on an Old Fashioned which is bourbon, sugar or simple syrup, orange zest, and bitters. Cranberry Infused Honey from Naturacentric Apothecary sweetens this holiday-inspired version. Side note about the honey – this summer I met Natalie Meneses, the lovely owner of this Central California business at a craft fair. Her product line is impressive – don’t even get me started on the labels and packaging! Naturacentric is a zero waste company. Plus, Natalie is passionate about the medicinal properties of herbs which she thoughtfully infuses into her products. I’m especially fond if her infused honeys, and her Elderberry Wellness Elixir. Also, if you’re into supporting small businesses during the holidays (you should be), her products make an awesome holiday gift!
Now back to the cocktail….
Here’s what you need to make this Cranberry Old Fashioned:
- Good quality bourbon – you don’t need to break the bank here for fancy sipping bourbon because this is a mixed drink, but it should be a bourbon that you enjoy.
- Cranberry infused honey – Buy this honey online, or make your own (see directions below)
- 100% cranberry juice
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Orange slices
- Orange bitters
Instructions to make two cocktails:
- Make the cranberry honey syrup. Put 1/2 cup of cranberry-infused honey into a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen whole cranberries. Heat over medium and bring to a low simmer until the cranberries start to pop. Remove from heat and mash the cranberries with a fork. Let mixture cool to room temperature and strain out the cranberries. You will have enough honey cranberry syrup for approximately 8 cocktails.
- Make the charred orange slices. Coat two orange slices in sugar on both sides. Place them in a dry, non-stick skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until browned on both sides. Set aside to cool.
- Measure out 4 ounces of bourbon and pour into an ice filled cocktail shaker.
- Add 2 ounces each of cranberry juice and honey cranberry syrup to the shaker. Top the shaker with the lid and shake vigorously to combine.
- Pour cocktail evenly into two, ice-filled lowball glasses. top with a dash or two of bitters. Garnish with the charred orange slices and fresh cranberries.

I hope you love this bright, beautiful and easy cocktail recipe as much as we do! Be careful, it’s strong and is VERY easy to sip. So be sure to warn your guests.
Big Batch Cranberry-Bourbon Cocktail
Let’s scale this up to party mode—because one cocktail is a vibe, but a big batch? That’s a lifestyle. Here’s how to make about 16 servings of this cranberry-bourbon beauty:
Ingredients:
- 32 ounces (1 quart) good quality bourbon
- 2 cups cranberry-infused honey (or regular honey)
- 1 cup 100% cranberry juice
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (for syrup)
- 1-2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (for garnish, optional)
- 4 oranges (for slices)
- Sugar (for coating orange slices)
- Orange bitters (about 16-32 dashes, 1-2 per serving)
- Ice (enough to chill and serve)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Honey Cranberry Syrup (Enough for 16 Cocktails)
- Combine 2 cups cranberry-infused honey, 2 cups water, and 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries in a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop (approx. 10 minutes).
- Mash the cranberries with a fork to release their juices.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then strain out the solids.
- Pro Tip: Syrup can be made a day or two ahead. Store it in the fridge in a sealed jar.
Step 2: Char the Orange Slices
- Slice 4 oranges into rounds (about 16 slices total).
- Coat each slice lightly in sugar on both sides.
- Place the slices in a dry, nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until caramelized and browned.
- Set aside to cool.
Step 3: Mix the Big Batch Cocktail
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine:
- 32 ounces bourbon
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 2 cups honey cranberry syrup
- Stir well to combine. Add a handful of ice to chill the mix slightly.
Step 4: Serve
- Fill individual glasses with ice. Pour about 4 ounces (½ cup) of the cocktail mix into each glass.
- Add a dash or two of orange bitters to each glass.
- Garnish with a charred orange slice and a few fresh cranberries for flair.
Optional: Make It Extra Fancy
- Turn this into a punch by adding club soda or sparkling water for a lighter, fizzier option. Adjust sweetness with a splash of cranberry juice if needed.
Big batch cocktails = fewer refills = more time to look casually fabulous while holding your drink. Cheers!
Get inspired! Here are a few more fun and festive holiday cocktail recipes:
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Cranberry Orange Old Fashioned Cocktail
Equipment
- Non-Stick Skillet
- Small Saucepan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the cranberry honey syrup. Put 1/2 cup of cranberry-infused honey into a small saucepan with 1/2 cup of water and 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen whole cranberries. Heat over medium and bring to a low simmer until the cranberries start to pop. Remove from heat and mash the cranberries with a fork. Let mixture cool to room temperature and strain out the cranberries. You will have enough honey cranberry syrup for approximately 8 cocktails.
- Make the charred orange slices. Coat two orange slices in sugar on both sides. Place them in a dry, non stick skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until browned on both sides. Set aside to cool.
- Measure out 4 ounces of bourbon and pour into an ice filled cocktail shaker.
- Add 2 ounces each of cranberry juice and honey cranberry syrup to the shaker. Top the shaker with the lid and shake vigorously to combine.
- Pour cocktail evenly into two, ice-filled lowball glasses. top with a dash or two of bitters. Garnish with the charred orange slices and fresh cranberries.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can you drink bourbon? I can’t seem to at all anymore. If you can, you’re very lucky.
I can, but some people are more sensitive…
I made these on christmas. Everyone liked them. Thanks for the great recipe!
This looks delicious. May I have one, please? 😍