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Looking for a fun and festive cocktails for the holidays? This ‘Jingle Bell Smash’ is my winter take on a whiskey smash that’s made with a rosemary simple syrup and cranberry juice (plus your favorite bourbon of course!).
Surely you know by now that my obsession with the classic whiskey smash runs DEEP. Bourbon is kind of the only thing I’ve wanted to drink lately and I’m okay with that. I figured that I couldn’t let the year end without making a holiday version of my favorite drink :D
SO, enter this easy cranberry whiskey cocktail.
If bourbon/ whiskey is not your thing, feel free to swap it out for your favorite spirit. I tried this recipe with a local cranberry vodka (side note: if you live in/ around Oregon, you NEED to give Wild Roots a try. Their vodkas are so good but I truly love their grapefruit infused gin OMG).
Bourbon is my favorite in this but seriously, you do you :D
In the recipe card, I linked my recipe for making rosemary simple syrup. It adds a lot of delicious flavor (and sweetness) to this cocktail and I highly recommend it! If you’ve never made simple syrup before, it’s super easy. HOWEVER, to make this extra easy, you can also use maple syrup instead (which is what I do when I’m feeling really lazy).
That’s for this quick and easy Friday recipe!
As always, if you end up making this recipe, please snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!
More cocktail recipes to try:
- Apple Cider Cocktail
- Apple Cider Mimosa
- Slow Cooker Mulled Cider
- Orange Cranberry Gin and Tonic
- Holiday Sangria
- Red Wine Hot Chocolate
- Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
- Cherry Bomb Cocktail
- Classic White Russian
- Whiskey Smash Recipe
Jingle Bell Smash
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup*
- 1 ounce lemon juice, or orange would be great too!
- Fresh cranberries and rosemary for serving
Instructions
- In a shaker or cocktail mixer filled with ice, combine the cranberry juice, bourbon, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake/ stir to combine.
- Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We made this drink in a batch to take to Christmas Eve. Huge hit! A smooth drink even if you are not sure about bourbon. Try it!
I’m hoping to try this and wondered if I might be able to make it as a punch for a crowd?
Here’s a variation that was inspired by your Jingle Bell Smash recipe: Pomegranate Smash
Substitute pomegranate molasses for simple syrup, Pama (pomegranate-flavored liqueur) or POM juice for cranberry juice, and, if desired, add some arils and lemon juice.
Cheers!