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Getting into the Thanksgiving spirit with these Spiced Cranberry Rosé Spritzers. Homemade spiced cranberry jam, woodsy rosemary, fruity rosé, sweet elderflower liquor, fresh citrus, and spicy ginger beer. Mix everything together to create a festive pitcher style cocktail that’s easy to create, refreshing, and delicious. Bonus…this drink can be made ahead of time for easy holiday entertaining, and the festive red color doubles as a gorgeous decor piece on any table!
And just like that I’m in full on holiday mode. Can’t help it, this time of year makes me so happy! And with Thanksgiving less than two weeks away it’s hard not to be excited. Anyone else feeling the same?
We’ve been having the coziest weather up here in the mountains. It’s inspired me to create recipes that will to warm us up from the inside out. That’s honestly one of the cheesiest things I’ll say, but it’s the truth. I know it’s hard to imagine a drink warming you up, especially one that’s served over ice, but the spices in this wine spritzer do just that.
{rosè being poured into punch bowl}
The key to this fun drink is the cranberry jam/syrup. It’s actually kind of a mix between a jam and syrup. It uses fresh fruit like a jam would, but it’s consistency is much more syrup like. SO, it’s kind of a cross between the two. Whatever you’d like to call it, it’s a delicious mix of sweet honey, fresh tart cranberries, rosemary, and warming cardamon. The honey balances out the tart cranberries, while the rosemary and cardamon add coziness and warmth. Perfect for a Thanksgiving spritzer.
To make the jam, just add all ingredients to a pot. Bring to a boil, boil a minute or two, and done, so simple.
Once the jam has cooled, add it to a pitcher, along with a bottle of your favorite rosé, elderflower liquor (this is my favorite right now), cranberry or pomegranate juice, and a few dashes of orange bitters. Chill the mix, and then just before serving, add fresh citrus slices. I used blood oranges, but regular oranges or grapefruit would be great too. Top it all off with fizzy, spicy, ginger beer (another one of my favorites).
This cocktail is both refreshing and warming, perfect for a chilly November night, or a snow filled Thanksgiving Day…
Complete with cozy blankets, a roaring fire and candles galore. ENJOY!
If you make this cranberry rosé spritzer please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spiced Cranberry Rosé Spritzers
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 694 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon cardamon pods or 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 bottle (750 ml) rosé wine
- 4 ounces elderflower liquor
- 1/3 cup cranberry or pomegranate juice
- 2-3 dashes orange bitter
- 2 blood oranges or regular oranges, sliced
- 4-6 (12 ounce) ginger beers, to your taste
Instructions
- 1. To make the cranberry syrup: In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, cranberries, rosemary, and cardamon to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes or until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Remove the rosemary and cardamon pods. If desired, strain out the cranberries. 2. In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry syrup, rosé, elderflower liquor, cranberry juice, and orange bitters. Chill until ready to serve, up to 2 days.3. Add the orange slices and ginger beer just before serving. Garnish each drink with a candied rosemary (recipe below), if desired.
Candied Rosemary
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with granulated sugar on all sides, making sure the rosemary is thoroughly coated in sugar. Allow to dry on the baking sheet for 1 hour. The rosemary can be made 1 day in advance and stored at room temperature.
I could only find ground cardamon. Will that work? Excited to fix this drink for my family today!
Susan
Sorry, just went back to recipe and it says what to use for ground cardamon. Thanks!
Hi Susan,
Yes, that will be just fine to use! I hope this recipe turned out well for you! Cheers! xx
I made the syrup tonight and it was more of a jam consistency. I boiled even a couple minutes longer after the cranberries started to pop and it was still pretty thick. I wanted to strain the cranberries out and had a very difficult time because it was so thick! Is it supposed to be a jam like consistency?
Hi Kayla,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, the longer you boil the thicker it will get. You can try adding some water to thin it out. I hope this helps! xx
Hi Tieghan, I was wondering what size pitcher would work for this cocktail? I look forward to wowing guests at Thanksgiving with this! Thank you 🙂
Hey Madeline,
I would use at least a gallon sized pitcher. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Hi! I made this for the first time and put everything in a big pitcher. I was confused on how much ginger beer to add? Do I just add a splash to each drink or do you add to the pitcher? If so how much? It was yummy! Thank you.
Hey Valerie,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! You are going to use 4-6 cans of ginger beers if you are making this as a pitcher:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I served this to family at thanksgiving, just fabulous! Making it now for a small dinner get together with friends. I leave the cranberries in
Hi Kathleen,
Fantastic! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!? xx
Hi! I’m looking to make this this weekend and have everything but the elderflower liqueur. Do you have recommendations for a good substitute?
Would Gin or Vodka work?
Hey Kristy,
Gin or vodka will not give the same flavor as the elderflower liquor, you could try some triple sec or just leave it out:) I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
hi! This looks so good. I only have cardamom seeds, though. Can I use those if i tie them up in a cheesecloth? If so, how much? Thank you!!
Hey Christina,
Sure, that should work, I would use about 1 tablespoon. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
Super easy and sooooo good! Was a total party hit!! When you are cooking the cranberry jam is smells SO amazing! Cocktail was fun, easy to make. Not too sweet. Would highly reccomend!
Hi Jennifer,
I love to hear that you liked this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
I was looking for temperature and length to cook the candied rosemary. Thank you!
Hi Leah,
You are not actually baking the rosemary…you can just follow the instructions as written:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Can you make the syrup beforehand and refrigerate? If so, how long will it last? I love your site!
Hey Pamela,
You bet! It will be good for 2 weeks in the fridge. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
So yummy, and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner! It’s refreshing enough to balance out the rich meal, but spiced and warm enough to fit in perfectly.
Hi Cassie,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
This drink was a hot with the whole family. We are enjoying it as I type. The candied rosemary was a fun touch. Thank you, Tieghan!
Hi Mary,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
I was looking for a cocktail to make for Christmas Eve and came across this. I already have cranberries and fresh Rosemary is still in my garden. My cabinet is loaded with liqueurs and ingredients – but not elderflower. Can you suggest substitutes?
Hi Lisa,
You could really skip the elderflower here, you could also use triple sec in its place. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Omg this was so delicious. I’m going home and making another batch right now. This was seriously so good. You’d think it was made at a fancy cocktail bar. Just wow. Honestly one of the beat drinks I’ve had. Wow.
Hey Lauren,
Happy Sunday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
Gosh, I cannot wait to try this. Thinking I may also do a variation with this tangerine vodka that I have from my distillery subscription. Guess I’ll have to do some testing this weekend! Haha. Thanks for sharing, and have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
I hope you love the recipe Joelle! Cheers!
Loved this!! Skipped the Cardamom as it was pretty pricey – it was still delicious. Trader Joes had candied orange slices that were an easy garnish! Will definitely make this again!
Hey Brooke,
Happy Sunday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
Do you think Pomegranate would work as a substitution for the cranberries?
Hey! That should work great 🙂 xTieghan