Cranberry Mojito

This cranberry mojito made with fresh cranberries is the perfect rum cranberry cocktail. Fresh mint is muddled with sugar and lime juice, then topped with a simple homemade cranberry syrup for the ultimate seasonal makeover.

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When it comes to cocktails, cranberry is a wonderful flavor pairing with just about any liquor.

I love a cranberry mimosa or cranberry martini, and there is nothing like a simple cranberry vodka when you want to keep things simple.

But this cranberry-flavored red mojito has to be one of my favorites! You don't have to be a bartender to make a mojito at home!

It's perfect to serve up anytime but I love it as a Christmas mojito along with some of my other holiday favorites such as this pomegranate mimosa or your holiday day with the perfect grilled turkey or show-stopping pork wellington.

It's truly a stunning drink and the flavor is sweet and tart. I'm sure it'll be a hit when everyone gets a taste of this holiday cranberry cocktail.

I tested my way through 3 different cranberry mojito versions and this final recipe is a winner. I can't wait for you to try it.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make a Cranberry Mojito
• Expert Tips and FAQS
• More Drink Recipes
• Cranberry Mojito

Ingredients

Making a cranberry mojito at home is so simple! It's a little more than just a rum and cranberry juice but that's what makes it so special.

There are two parts to this recipe. You will need a few ingredients to make a simple cranberry syrup and a few more things for the actual cocktail.

For the simple homemade cranberry syrup you will need:

• Cranberries: Fresh or frozen is fine.
• Sugar: White granular is best.

For the actual cocktail you will need:

• Prepared cranberry syrup: Make this advance so it has time to chill.
• Mint leaves: Spearmint is the most common mint available. If you can find or grow some varietals such as mojito mint or lime mint these are excellent options. Avoid peppermint because it has a much stronger flavor.
• Sugar: White granular is best.
• Lime juice: Fresh is always best and in a mojito will truly make a difference!
• White rum: For a mojito, simple white works great and doesn't add color to the drink making the cranberry syrup really pop!
• Club Soda: For an extra sizzle and fizz to your red mojito!

See the recipe card for the exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions

Looking to change up the ingredients when making your cranberry mojitos? Here are a few tips.

• Cranberries: Use fresh or frozen. Do not use dried or canned as the results NOT be the same.
• White Granular Sugar: You can use a white granular sugar replacement if you prefer.
• Lime Juice: Fresh is always preferred, especially for a mojito but in a pinch, you can use prepared bottled limed juice.

Equipment

You don't need any fancy equipment to make a mojito at home but these tools may make the task a little easier.

• Glasses: A tall glass works best for serving cranberry cocktails with rum.
• Muddler: This handy tool is perfect for crushing and pressing mint leaves.
• Jigger: Having a jigger hand makes measuring ingredients for cocktails much easier.
• Stir Stick: Serve mojitos over ice and stirred, not shaken. You can also serve it with a reusable straw.
• Saucepan and wooden spoon: For making the simple syrup.

How to Make a Cranberry Mojito

Before you start making your mojito, make sure you gather your ingredients and tools so everything is ready. When it comes to the mojito, the fresher the better so having everything all set will make for an extra delicious cocktail.

The first step is making the homemade cranberry syrup.

1. Simply combine the cranberries, sugar, and water in a small sauce pot and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
2. While the mixture is reaching a simmering point, stir often to prevent the sugar from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once it starts to simmer, you can step back and wait for the cranberries to begin to pop.
3. After a few of the berries pop, you can turn off the heat and use the back of the stirring spoon to press each berry to lightly smash it. Don't go crazy, a light pressing will be all you need to release the flavors.
4. Let the syrup cool to room temperature. I find that getting started with the rest of the cocktail is usually enough time for the sauce to cool to an appropriate temperature.

TOP TIP: Speed up the cooling of the sauce by transferring it to a bowl and storing it in the fridge. This recipe will make about a cup of cranberry syrup which is more than you need for two cocktails, so you will likely want to store extra in the fridge anyway!

While the cranberry syrup is cooling, you can start muddling the mint leaves. This is the most vital step and honestly, is what makes a mojito a mojito!

4. Place the fresh mint leaves in the glass and top with granular sugar. Granular sugar is going to help release the oils and flavor from the leaves. It also helps balance out any bitterness.
5. Use the muddler and gently smash or press the leaves a few times allowing the oils and aroma to fill the glass.

TOP TIP: When muddling mint for a mojito, do it right in the glass you plan to use for serving.

6. Add the lime juice and give the glass a quick swirl so the juice surrounds the muddled leaves. This is followed by cranberry syrup. I think 4 ounces is the perfect amount but you can use more or less to suit your desired sweetness.
7. Now it's time to add the most important ingredient, rum! Measure it out and pour it into the glass.

TOP TIP: Some people like to add ice before the rum and allow the ice to cool the rum as it drips over. I find that sometimes this can water down the ice a bit, so I prefer to add it to the bottom of the glass and let it meld with the other ingredients.

8. Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda. You can use as much ice and club soda as you prefer, but I found the recipe as written to be perfectly proportioned.
9. Top your cranberry cocktail with a few of the smashed cranberries from the syrup, lime wedges, and fresh mint leaves. Serve the mojito with a stir stick and a straw.

Expert Tips and FAQS

I hope you love this cranberry cocktail recipe as much as I do! When it's time to make your cranberry mojito recipe at home, remember these tips:

• Use fresh or frozen cranberries, not dried or canned!
• Use granular sugar to muddle the mint. It helps release the flavors and prevent bitterness.
• Muddle the mint leaves in the glass your serving it in.
• Mojitos are meant to be stirred, not shaken so don't mix your mojito in a shaker glass.

More Drink Recipes

Did you try this recipe?  Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!