Your New Go-To Holiday Cocktail
If you love a classic Aperol Spritz, meet its festive holiday cousin! ♡
This cranberry spritz still has that iconic bittersweet Aperol flavor and prosecco bubbles, but the splash of cranberry juice adds a layer of tart flavor that (I think!) balances the cocktail even better. Perfect for holiday parties, girls’ nights, or anytime you’re craving a winter cocktail.
It’s also super quick and easy to make — just pour everything into a glass with ice, give it a quick stir, and pop in your favorite garnishes. I love adding fresh cranberries for sparkle, a slice of orange for brightness, and a little rosemary sprig for that wintery aroma. Let’s make some spritzes!
Recipe Tips
Here are a few simple tips to help your cranberry spritz turn out perfectly every time:
- Chill everything first. A spritz is most refreshing when every component — prosecco, Aperol, cranberry juice, and soda water — is straight-from-the-fridge cold.
- Use unsweetened or lightly sweetened cranberry juice. This gives you that pure, tart cranberry flavor without overwhelming sweetness.
- Add the prosecco last. This keeps the bubbles lively and prevents the drink from going flat as you build it.
- Taste and adjust. Want it sweeter? Add a splash more cranberry. Want it more bitter? Add a touch more Aperol.
- Use plenty of ice. A proper spritz should be served icy-cold and in a glass filled nearly to the top with ice.
- Serve immediately. Spritzes don’t love waiting — the bubbles fade with time, so enjoy right after mixing.
Variations
Make this cranberry spritz your own with any of these fun twists:
- Swap the prosecco. Use cava, Champagne, or a dry rosé sparkling wine.
- Use blood orange soda instead of plain soda water for a sweeter, fruitier finish.
- Add a splash of vodka for extra oomph (hello, holiday party).
- Swap in pomegranate juice if you’d like a sweeter, deeper fruit flavor.
- Make it non-alcoholic with NA prosecco and an NA bitter (we like Lyre’s Italian spritz).
- Turn it into a pitcher. Scale everything up and stir together gently in a large pitcher right before serving.
More Festive Drinks To Try!
Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 ounces chilled prosecco (or other sparkling wine)
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 2 ounces chilled cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 1 ounce chilled soda water
- ice, for serving
- garnishes: fresh cranberries, orange slice and/or rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Fill the glass. Add ice to a rocks glass or wine glass until it’s about two-thirds full.
- Combine. Pour in the Aperol, cranberry juice, and prosecco. Top with soda water. Gently stir once to combine.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with a few cranberries, an orange slice, and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
This was soooooo good!