This Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer is a delicious and easy holiday cocktail. Made with ginger ale, cranberry juice, and rosemary-infused apple vodka it’s sure to impress your guests at any festive occasion.
Within this post you’ll learn how to make a festive holiday cocktail, plus learn about making homemade infused alcohols.
Ingredients in a Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer
It’s a simple mixture of ginger ale, apple vodka, and cranberry juice, with a subtle surprising twist of fresh rosemary. The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a festive cocktail or two and this Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer is one of my favorites.
Not only is it super refreshing and full of flavor but the festive colors are perfect for any holiday gathering or party.
This Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer is infused with fresh rosemary to give it a festive holiday feel. Soak the apple vodka with fresh rosemary to impart flavor. Just a few ingredients add up to a perfectly sweet and tart holiday cocktail, with a bit of fizz and bite from the ginger flavor.
The colors are so vibrant and this cocktail has a beautiful presentation; perfect for impressing family and guests. Garnish with fresh cranberries and fresh rosemary sprigs for added color and a festive cocktail to enjoy with loved ones.
How to infuse alcohols and what flavors to use
You can infuse alcohol with almost any flavor. Fresh or dried fruits, berries, vegetables, spices, flowers, roots, and herbs can all be used. Simply add desired amount to alcohol such as vodka, gin or rum and let sit to infuse.
How long to infuse alcohol with flavor add-ins
Generally, it takes 2 days to a week, but longer is better. If using fresh fruit or berries infuse in the fridge, otherwise, room temperature is best as it will speed up the process.
The time it takes depends on how porous or flavorful the ingredients are. With any addition, the longer you infuse the more flavor will soak in.
Experiment with different flavors and combination. For this recipe, I recommend at least 3 days at room temp for optimal rosemary flavor. If you don’t have that much prep time, this recipe is perfectly fine without it.
Ideas for Holiday cocktail garnishes
I used a simple garnish for this ginger ale spritzer cocktail of fresh cranberries to make it look festive.
Simply skewer fresh cranberries onto toothpicks and add them to the rim of cocktail glasses. The great thing about this garnish is that it can be made in advance so it makes serving this cocktail a breeze. You could also try rolling them in sugar for an extra festive feel. Note that frozen cranberries won’t work for this because as they defrost they tend to go wrinkly and hold too much water.
If you don’t have fresh cranberries, a little sprig of rosemary would also work well for this cocktail.
Tip For Making this Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer
- To prep ahead: Follow recipe as described, but omit ginger ale and ice and keep in fridge. Add them to drink mixture when ready to serve. Otherwise, carbonation will go flat.
- If you don’t have time to infuse vodka you can serve immediately, but rosemary flavor will not be as strong
- Use more or less vodka to reach desired drink strength
- If you don’t have apple vodka you can substitute with regular
Foods to go with cocktails at a party or during the holidays
This festive cocktail is best served alongside some delicious nibbles. My Caramel Apple Cheese Ball is super easy to put together and is perfect for sharing. Also, try my Easy Saucy Grilled Buffalo Wings, Creamy Blue Cheese Puff Pasty Squares or Slow Cooked Carnitas Loaded Potato Skins. They all go great with drinks and will be a hit at any party
More Delicious Cocktails You Might Like
Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer recipe at-a-glance:
Flavor profiles: Sweet and tart cranberry mixed with crisp ginger ale
Texture: Smooth, refreshing holiday drink with a bit of carbonation
Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.
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Apple Cranberry Ginger Ale Spritzer
Ingredients
- 12 ounces apple vodka
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 cups ice cubes
- 12 ounces ginger ale soda, chilled
- 3 cups cranberry juice, chilled
- Fresh cranberries as garnish
Instructions
- To infuse vodka: Place vodka and fresh rosemary in a sealed container. Store at room temperature in a dark place at least overnight, but ideally 3–4 days.
- When ready to serve: Place ice cubes in a large pitcher. Stir ginger ale, infused apple vodka and cranberry juice. Add fresh cranberries to pitcher or in each served glass on toothpicks as a garnish.
Notes
- To prep ahead: Follow recipe as described, but omit ginger ale and ice. Add them to drink mixture when ready to serve. Otherwise carbonation will go flat.
- If you don't have time to infuse vodka you can serve immediately, but rosemary flavor will not be as strong
- Use more or less vodka to reach desired drink strength
- If you don't have apple vodka you can substitute with regular
Yum!! Making this for the adults. Any suggestions for a kid friendly variation? Apple juice replacing the vodka? Thank you!
Thanks Aline! You could try substituting it with sparkling apple cider for the kids. Hope you enjoy!
I am a vodka kinda girl. Loved the recipe. Also all the tips through out the post are great. Perfect for holiday.
This drink looks perfect for the season! Great color and flavor.
I love the bubbles the ginger ale brings to this drink. So light and delicious!
This is so perfect for the holidays! I can’t wait to make this for my Christmas party!
Thanks Jori and I’m sure it will be a hit!
I love making signature cocktails for holiday parties. I am pinning this for later in the season.
Me too, thanks so much Emily!
Love the flavors in this cocktail!
Apple, rosemary, cranberry – nice combination. And vodka is the perfect thing when visiting relatives. ;- )
Haha that could be a good reason to make this recipe too. Thanks Jeff!
These sound amazing! So flavorful and perfect for the holiday season 😀
Exactly, can’t go wrong with cranberry, rosemary and ginger ale. Thanks Chrisy!
What a gorgeous drink! I love how easy it is and requires ingredients I can find. It sounds like I’ll be trying to infuse my first vodka! 🙂
Thanks so much Julie! It is pretty simple and just a few ingredients, my type of holiday drink. Enjoy!
I’ve definitely never had anything like rosemary-infused apple vodka and it sounds delicious! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try! Pinning for later.
xo,
Tami
It was a first but so much fun. Now I want to experiment with infusing more! Thanks Tami!
This sounds like a perfect holiday drink!
It sure is! Thanks Hayli!
This is my kind of drink! Sounds amazing, I will have to give this a try! Thanks 🙂
It’s super fun and great for parties. Thanks Rowan!
This looks so yummy! It also looks very festive. I like that it’s a mix of gingerale and cranberry juice. I think I might try it with diet ginger ale. Thanks for sharing.
That would totally work fine too. Thanks and enjoy Dia!
I’m digging this infused vodka idea! What a fun twist on holiday cocktails! Thanks so much for sharing. #client
Rosemary is one of my favorite holiday flavors and goes so well the the ginger ale. Thanks David!