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Holiday Cranberry Gin Fizz Cocktail

By: Cassie Johnston / Updated: May 23, 2025 / Posted: November 15, 2024

A mixed cranberry gin fizz cocktail stands beside an open flip-top bottle of cranberry simple syrup.

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There is something supremely festive about a bubbly cocktail for the holidays, don’t you think? This cranberry gin fizz not only has super satisfying bubbles, but it also has a beautiful layer of sweet foam on top that looks like fresh-fallen snow! It has a great Christmas flavor profile and a beautiful pink color that is sure to impress all the guests at your holiday party!

In this post:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cassie Johnston (a light skinned brunette woman with glasses and a red streak in her hair) smiles toward the camera with a wall of photo frames behind her

This beauty is about to become your signature holiday cocktail.

I love a good festive drink, and this one does not disappoint. It’s easy to make, absolutely delicious, and it always impresses. Just look at that gorgeous color! Your holiday guests will all be asking for this recipe—guaranteed.

Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

  • It’s easy to make. Once you’ve made the simple syrup, you just pour, shake, and serve. Easy-peasy.
  • Shaken drinks are the ultimate party flex. Plus, they’re so much fun to make! You’ll feel extra festive while you shake them up, and you’ll look like an absolute pro.
  • People swoon over these every year. Everytime I serve this drink, folks flip! It became my signature cocktail faster than any other drink I’ve whipped up over the years, and now it can be yours.

Make a few of these cocktails along with some simple appetizers like our Rosemary Bacon Wrapped Dates, Christmas Charcuterie Board, or Baked Brie with Jam, and your holiday party is set.

Step-by-Step how to make a cranberry gin fizz

1

Make the cranberry simple syrup.

First up, you need to make the cranberry simple syrup. Just mix one part cranberry juice with one part granulated sugar, and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Easy as that!

If you want the most cranberry flavor…

…we recommend using 100% cranberry juice. Check the ingredients on your juice. “Cranberry juice” should be the only thing listed!

2

Add the cocktail ingredients to the shaker—and don’t forget the secret ingredient!

Pour the cranberry syrup into a cocktail shaker along with most of the remaining ingredients (just not the ice or club soda quite yet). Then one raw egg white goes in to give it that classic foam on top that a gin fizz is known for.

If you’re worried about the raw egg white…

…we recommend using pasteurized eggs (often sold in major supermarkets). You can also leave it out if you want—your drink won’t be as fizzy, but it will still be delicious!

3

Shake!

Shake, shake, shake for about 15-seconds. Then add some ice and shake again!

4

Pour, garnish, and serve.

Pour into a glass—we recommend a low-ball or champagne glass—then top off with club soda. If you’re feeling fancy and festive, garnish it with some fresh cranberries and/or rosemary sprigs.

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Close-up of a hand holding a glass of cranberry gin fizz cocktail.
A mixed cranberry gin fizz cocktail stands beside an open flip-top bottle of cranberry simple syrup.

Holiday Cranberry Gin Fizz Cocktail

This pretty pink cocktail gets its festive fizz thanks to a secret ingredient! Serve these up as the signature cocktail at your next Christmas party.
4.46 from 31 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: General
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16 servings of syrup
Calories: 66kcal
Author: Cassie Johnston

Ingredients

Cranberry Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup cranberry juice 100% pure cranberry juice for most flavor
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Per Gin Fizz

  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup chilled
  • 1 egg white pasteurized, if desired
  • 3-4 drops orange bitters
  • 2 ounces club soda chilled
  • Ice
  • Cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  • Make the cranberry simple syrup by combining the 1 cup cranberry juice and 1 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and chill in the refrigerator until cold.
  • To make the gin fizz, combine the 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup, 1 egg white, and 3-4 drops orange bitters in a cocktail shaker. Cover, and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
  • Remove the lid of the cocktail shaker, place in a handful of Ice, close the lid again, and shake vigorously again for 15 seconds.
  • Strain the gin mixture into a low-ball or champagne glass. Top off with the 2 ounces club soda, and garnish with Cranberries and rosemary sprigs, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • Yes, this recipe uses a raw egg white to make the delicious, beautiful foam on top. If you are worried about food safety, you can use pasteurized eggs (sold in many major supermarkets) or just leave out the egg white entirely. If you leave it out, your gin fizz won’t be as foamy and fizzy, but it will still taste delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz syrup | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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Frequently Asked Questions about cranberry gin fizz cocktails

A gin fizz is a classic cocktail that is bubbly, citrus-tart, and topped with a fizzy foam. It typically contains gin (obviously), lemon or lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, and an egg white.

The key difference between a regular gin fizz and this cranberry version is that we swapped out the simple syrup for a cranberry syrup. It amplifies the fruity tartness, and makes the drink perfect for fall and winter holidays!

A lot of people get them mixed up because they have similar flavor profiles and ingredient lists. But a true gin fizz has a secret ingredient that a Tom Collins doesn’t—an egg white! This egg white gives the gin fizz a foamy, fizzy head that is unique.

Because the gin flavor is prominent in this one, skip the bottom shelf gin. My general rule: use the alcohol you like the best! We love Cardinal Spirits Standard Dry Gin, but whatever tastes good to you will make a good cocktail.

There are three main kinds of cranberry juice:

  • Cranberry Juice Cocktail: This is a mixture of cranberry juice and typically other juices for sweetness (like apple and grape) and sometimes even added sugar or corn syrup.
  • 100% Juice Cranberry: This is a mixture of cranberry juice and other juices for sweetness but no added sugars.
  • 100% Cranberry Juice: This is just pure, unsweetened cranberry juice.

Any of these will work, but the 100% Cranberry Juice—sometimes also sold as “Pure Cranberry Juice”—will give you the most intense, tart, cranberry-tastic flavor!

Overhead of foam and garnish on finished cranberry gin cocktail.

Cassie is a holistic nutritionist, cookbook author, and all-around food lover. She grew up cooking dinner with her parents every evening, and her passion for home cooking has been strong ever since. Cassie is the author of two published cookbooks (Cooking with Greek Yogurt and Chia, Quinoa, Kale, Oh My!) and dozens of recipes published in major magazines and newspapers. Cassie has been sharing her award-winning recipes on Wholefully since 2010. She loves dark chocolate, homegrown tomatoes, motorsports, and anything that sparkles. She lives in Indiana with her family on a small homestead.

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4.46 from 31 votes (31 ratings without comment)

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One Comment

  1. Oh my gosh-YUM! Gin Fizzes are my FAVORITE cocktail! This looks like a fantastic version for the holidays. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply