I was walking the aisles of the grocery store and spotted the seasonal cranberry spice Sprite on the shelves, and that’s when inspiration struck! I’m adding it to some cranberry juice and vodka to create a cranberry vodka spritzer that’s easy, delicious, and perfect for Thanksgiving and the holidays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A cranberry vodka spritzer is the kind of refreshing drink that effortlessly checks all the boxes – light, sweet, tart, fizzy, and festive looking, too!
The tart cranberry pairs beautifully with the clean, crisp profile of vodka, while the sparkling water or soda adds bright bubbles that make for the perfect finishing touch. In short, it’s a fizzy twist on the timeless and classic cocktail, the Cape Codder!
It’s also totally customizable. You can make it sweeter or drier, swap in flavored vodkas or sparkling mixers, garnish with herbs or fresh fruit, and scale it up easily for parties.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering (it works beautifully for either Thanksgiving or Christmas), a summer cookout, or just want a no-fuss cocktail to unwind with, a cranberry vodka spritzer delivers delicious satisfaction with minimal effort!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 2 oz vodka (plain or cranberry)
- 2 oz 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1-3 oz Sprite winter spiced cranberry (or similar)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I use Deep Eddy’s cranberry vodka because it adds a lovely color and flavor to the drink. However (as it’s seasonal), plain or even citron vodka works well too!
- Use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail, as the latter will add too much sweetness when paired with soda
- Adjust the amount of Sprite to taste (how strong & sweet you want your drink). My advice is always start low and add up until you like it! You can swap in another lemon lime option (like Starry Cranberry Blizz), cranberry ginger ale or ginger beer (equally delicious), or use unsweetened cranberry or lime sparkling water for a less-sweet drink (adjust with a bit of honey or maple syrup if it’s too unsweet for you in this case)
Cursed Cranberry Vodka Spritzer Variation
For a “cursed cranberry” variation of this drink for Halloween (a copycat of the one from Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights aka HHN), use 6 ounces of cranberry juice instead (keep the vodka the same or adjust to your tastes), add ½ ounce fresh lime juice, and top with lime Topo Chico (or a similar lime seltzer).
I recommend a fun spooky garnish, like a plastic spider or cranberries dusted in black sugar (like a holiday sugared cranberry but spookier)!
Step By Step Instructions
- To a rocks glass (or similar lowball style glass) add the cranberry juice and vodka, then stir to combine
- Fill the glass with ice (cubes or crushed) and then top with the Sprite
- Garnish with some fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary if desired, and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Snacks & Appetizers
- Charcuterie boards – salty cured meats and tangy cheeses balance the spritzer’s tartness
- Cranberry-brie bites – mirrors the cranberry flavor in a cozy, festive way. Try my puff pastry Air Fryer Cranberry Brie Bites!
- Shrimp cocktail – bright acidity cuts through the richness of seafood. Try my homemade Air Fryer Shrimp Cocktail for a perfect party app!
- Herbed popcorn or seasoned nuts – a simple, crunchy pairing for casual sipping
Main Courses
- Roasted chicken or turkey – cranberries naturally complement savory poultry. Try any of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for some great options!
- Grilled fish (like cod or salmon) – light proteins pair well with citrus-tart cocktails!
- Flatbreads with goat cheese or prosciutto – salty, creamy, and fruity flavors work beautifully together
Desserts
- Lemon bars – a citrusy companion to the tart cranberry
- White chocolate treats – sweetness smooths out the drink’s acidity. Try my White Chocolate Pistachio Cranberry Bark for the perfect compliment!
- Berry cheesecake – rich and fruity without overpowering the cocktail
Seasonal and Holiday Pairings
- Thanksgiving grazing plates – stuffing bites, turkey sliders, cranberry meatballs
- Holiday cookies (sugar, gingerbread, or cranberry-orange) – festive and complementary!
- Spooky Halloween snacks where the ruby color gives a “blood-red” effect – think vampire-themed charcuterie, vampire fudge, or black-and-red cupcakes!
Recipe FAQs
What Mixes Well With Cranberry Vodka?
Cranberry vodka pairs well with soda water, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, and tonic for fizzy options. It also blends beautifully with orange, lime, or pineapple juice to enhance the fruitiness. For extra depth, add a splash of triple sec or St-Germain.
What Is Vodka, Cranberry, and Sprite Called?
Vodka, cranberry juice, and Sprite are commonly known as a Cranberry Vodka Spritzer or sometimes a Dirty Shirley with Cranberry depending on the proportions. It’s essentially a fizzy twist on a Cape Codder cocktail.
Can I Make a Mocktail Version?
Yes! Replace the vodka with sparkling water, more Sprite, or non-alcoholic vodka. Keep the cranberry juice (and lime if using), and your drink will still be festive, fizzy, and delicious without alcohol, suitable for any crowd.
Tips For the Best Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
- This drink is on the sweeter side (but not cloyingly so) as written. To reduce sweetness, use unsweetened sparkling water or club soda instead of Sprite
- You can easily adjust strength by adding more or less vodka, or diluting with additional cranberry juice (more tart) or soda (more sweet)
Serving and Presentation
- Glassware: Serve in a lowball, or a thin highball (like a Collins) to add extra bubbly. Use a wine glass to show off the vibrant cranberry color and bubbles for a fancier feel!
- Garnishes: Fresh lime wheels, cranberries (frozen work great as edible ice!), mint or rosemary sprigs, or even a light sugar rim add fun finishing touches
- Pitcher Serving: Scale and add to a punch bowl or pitcher (minus ice and carbonated elements) up to 24 hours in advance. Add ice and bubbly just before serving – add some fresh fruit like oranges, cranberries, or lemon slices to the pitcher or bowl for fun look!
- Temperature: Keep the drink well-chilled; refrigerate the mixer ingredients before assembling to maintain peak refreshment!
More Cranberry Vodka Cocktails
- Cranberry Martini
- Cranberry Sangria
Final Thoughts
This cranberry vodka spritzer is the perfect drink blending sweet, tart, refreshing, and festive! It’s great for summer sipping, but the flavor profile and color make it lovely for Thanksgiving and the holiday season as well.
I love that it’s so simple – just 3 ingredients, no fancy equipment, and easy to tweak and customize to suit any palate. That makes it perfect for entertaining, especially during the busy festive seasons, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser too.
For more great ideas (and to use up that bottle of seasonal liquor), check out all my Cranberry Vodka Drinks for more ideas!
Easy Cranberry Vodka Spritzer With Sprite
Equipment
- Stemless wine glass (or similar)
- Spoon (cutlery; for stirring)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (plain or cranberry)
- 2 ounces 100% cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1-3 ounces Sprite winter spiced cranberry (or similar)
- Ice (cubes or crushed)
Instructions
- To a lowball glass (or similar) add the cranberry juice and vodka, then stir to combine2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces 100% cranberry juice
- Fill the glass with ice and then top with the Sprite1-3 ounces Sprite winter spiced cranberry, Ice
- Garnish with some fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary (optional) , and enjoy!
Notes
- I use Deep Eddy cranberry vodka because it adds a lovely color and flavor to the drink (other brands like Smirnoff and Boardroom are great too). However, as it’s seasonal, plain or even citron vodka works well too!
- Use 100% cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail, as the latter will add too much sweetness when paired with soda
- Adjust the amount of Sprite to taste (how strong & sweet you want your drink) – start low and adjust. You can swap in another lemon lime option (like Starry Cranberry Blizz), cranberry ginger ale, or use unsweetened cranberry or lime sparkling water for a less-sweet drink (adjust with a bit of honey or maple syrup if it’s too tart for you in this case)
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, size of glasses, garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
