Fresh cranberries bring tartness and vibrant color to the Cranberry Rosemary Gin Smash, while rosemary syrup adds an herbal warmth, and the gin keeps everything crisp and clean.
Topped with soda water, this drink is refreshing without losing that holiday-season depth.
The muddled cranberries give the drink a beautiful natural hue, and the rosemary syrup makes your whole kitchen smell like December.
Why This Cocktail Works
- Fresh cranberries bring bright tartness and color.
- Rosemary syrup adds a piney, wintery aroma that feels festive.
- Gin keeps the drink crisp and refreshing.
- Soda water lightens everything up so the drink stays sessionable.
The Twist
For a slightly bitter, more complex version, add a splash of Aperol. It deepens the cranberry flavor and gives the drink a subtle orange-citrus edge.
Mocktail Version
- Skip the gin
- Add an extra splash of soda water
- Keep everything else the same
Still garnish with rosemary—the aroma makes a big difference!
Home Bar Tips
Muddle gently.
You want to break the cranberries, not annihilate them. Over-muddling can bring bitterness from the skins.
Use cold soda water.
Cold bubbles stay lively longer.
Choose a gin that complements herbs.
Floral or citrus-forward gins work great with cranberry and rosemary.
Candied rosemary is easy.
Dip rosemary in simple syrup, dust with sugar, and let dry for a frosty garnish.
What If I Don’t Have…?
No cranberries?
Use frozen ones (thawed) or swap for pomegranate seeds.
No rosemary syrup?
Try thyme syrup, honey syrup, or cinnamon syrup for a warmer version.
No gin?
Vodka works too, though you’ll lose the botanicals.
Troubleshooting
“It’s too tart!”
- Add 0.25 oz more rosemary syrup
- Use cranberry cocktail instead of 100% cranberry juice
“It’s too sweet.”
- Add more lemon
- Use 100% cranberry juice
“The soda tastes flat.”
- Open a fresh bottle
- Add ice after shaking (not before)
“The color is pale.”
- Muddle the cranberries a bit more
- Add a splash more cranberry juice
Cranberry Rosemary Gin Smash Recipe
Glass: Highball glass
Ice: Cubes or crushed ice
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin
- 5 fresh cranberries
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz rosemary simple syrup
- Soda water to top
Garnish:
Candied rosemary + red spun sugar, or skewered candied cranberries and fresh rosemary
Instructions
- In a shaker, muddle the fresh cranberries with rosemary syrup.
- Add gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water.
- Garnish with candied rosemary, spun sugar, a fresh rosemary sprig, or skewered cranberries.
Cranberry Rosemary Gin Smash
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin
- 5 fresh cranberries
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz rosemary simple syrup
- Soda water to top
Instructions
- In a shaker, muddle the fresh cranberries with rosemary syrup.
- Add gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water.
- Garnish with candied rosemary, spun sugar, a fresh rosemary sprig, or skewered cranberries.
Video
Notes
Add a Twist
For a slightly bitter, more complex version, add a splash of Aperol. It deepens the cranberry flavor and adds a subtle orange-citrus edge to the drink.Mocktail Version
-
- Skip the gin
-
- Add an extra splash of soda water
-
- Keep everything else the same
