A festive cranberry orange brandy cocktail served in a coupe glass, garnished with fresh cranberries and rosemary. The drink is set against a cozy Christmas backdrop with glowing candles, pine branches, and red holiday decorations.

A cozy and elegant drink for the season: this Festive Cranberry Orange Brandy Cocktail blends tart cranberry, zesty orange, and smooth brandy into one bright and cheerful sip. It’s simple, refreshing, and ideal for Christmas parties or New Year’s toasts. With its ruby hue and festive aroma, it’s sure to impress.

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Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well! Are you ready for a cocktail?

The holidays are coming fast, and that means it’s time for cozy gatherings and cheerful drinks. This cranberry orange brandy cocktail is one of those easy recipes that instantly feels festive. It’s fruity and vibrant, yet the brandy adds just the right touch of warmth. Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to prepare, so you can spend more time celebrating and less time mixing.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Cranberry Orange Brandy Cocktail

Beautiful colour: Its deep red hue looks stunning in any festive setting.
Festive and elegant: Perfect for holiday parties, Christmas dinners, or New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Balanced flavour: Tart cranberry and bright orange blend beautifully with smooth, mellow brandy.
Quick to make: You’ll only need a few ingredients and a minute or two of shaking.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This cranberry orange brandy cocktail truly screams festivity. Each sip bursts with vibrant cranberry tartness and bright citrus notes, balanced by the smooth warmth of brandy. It’s lively and refreshing yet still cozy and comforting — the perfect mix for the holiday season. The texture is crisp and clean, making it as easy to enjoy as it is beautiful to serve.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Festive Cranberry Orange Brandy Cocktail

Brandy: This forms the heart of the cocktail, adding warmth and depth. A smooth, mid-range brandy or cognac is perfect here.
Orange liqueur: Triple sec or another orange-flavoured liqueur brings a touch of sweetness and enhances the citrus aroma.
Cranberry juice: Choose 100% cranberry juice for bold tartness and rich colour. If you prefer a softer flavour, use sweetened juice instead.
Fresh orange juice: A splash of freshly squeezed orange juice adds brightness and balance.
Ice: It chills the drink quickly and slightly softens the flavour for a smoother finish.

Top view of a festive cranberry orange brandy cocktail garnished with cranberries, a slice of dried orange, and a sprig of rosemary, placed on a patterned holiday plate with pine branches and Christmas decorations.

Possible Additions and Variations

Although this cranberry orange brandy cocktail is already delicious, you can always make it even more exiting or customize to your liking:

Add a garnish: Try fresh cranberries, an orange twist, or a rosemary sprig for a seasonal look.
Make it sparkling: Pour in a little prosecco or sparkling water for extra cheer.
Create a non-alcoholic version: Replace the brandy and liqueur with orange juice and sparkling cranberry soda.
Scale it up: Double or triple the recipe for a party punch bowl.

More Festive Cocktail Ideas

Looking for more festive recipes for holiday season just like this cranberry Christmas brandy cocktail? Be sure to check more festive cocktail ideas:

So I hope you like this cranberry orange brandy cocktail, and you will give it a try soon. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share you photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!