Cranberry Sidecar Recipe

Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail — This non-traditional Cranberry Sidecar cocktail is a classic take on a Sidecar recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

This time of year I always look to classic cocktails for inspiration for holiday drinks to serve at parties.

Just like with a LBD, I, Ashley believe you can’t go wrong with a classic!

Once you have a classic recipe down, you can start branching out and make variations on them.

By adding in syrups, swapping out juices or even changing the base spirits, you can create a whole new drink without having to start from scratch.

To update the Sidecar cocktail, a touch of cranberry adds a compliment to the bright lemon and the orange liqueur and the sugar rim adds a bit of sparkle.

Basically, this Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail is a real crowd pleaser!

Ingredients Needed To Make A Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail

My base recipe for a sidecar is 2 oz brandy or cognac, 1 oz Cointreau, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and a sugar rim.

From there you can make you own variations. I am thinking a blood orange version once they hit the markets!

Cognac (or brandy) is not often the bottle people reach for during holiday drinks, but it provides a great base note to build off of with woody herbs and tart, winter fruit.

So it works perfectly here! If you are looking for a pretty and tasty drink to whip up for the 1,000’s of holiday parties ahead, this Cranberry Sidecar is just the drink!

How To Make A Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail Recipe

To make the cranberry simple syrup

1 — Add cranberry juice and sugar to a pot.

2 — Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Take off the heat and let it cool.

Store in a jar in the fridge for up to one month.

To make the Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail

1 — Add sugar to a plate with the lemon peel and mix.

2 — Run a lemon wedge from the juiced lemon around the edge of a coupe or martini glass.

3 — Rim the glass with the sugar. 

4 — Add the remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice.

5 — Shake and strain into the glass.

It really comes in handy to have a few traditional recipes up your sleeve.

I often go to festivities and am asked to whip up some drinks (I never seem to be off duty during the holidays, ha!)

I assess what they have and generally it’s not for any one particular cocktail so I reach into my mental “rolodex” of classic drinks recipes and change them a bit to fit with what ingredients I have at hand.

It’s a good party trick to have!

Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail

Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

This non-traditional cranberry cocktail is a classic take on a sidecar cocktail that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Total Time10 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Cocktails

Equipment

• Pot
• Cocktail shaker

Ingredients

For the cranberry simple syrup:

• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup sugar

For the Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail:

• 3/4 oz cranberry simple syrup
• 2 oz brandy (VS or VSOP)
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp grated lemon peel
• 1/8 cup sugar

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Servings: 5

Calories: 254kcal

Instructions

To make the cranberry simple syrup:

• Add cranberry juice and sugar to a pot.
• Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Take off heat and let cool.
• Store in a jar in the fridge for up to one month.

To make the Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail:

• Add sugar to a plate with the lemon peel and mix.
• Run lemon wedge from juiced lemon around the edge of a coupe or martini glass.
• Rim the glass with the sugar. Add the remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice.
• Shake and strain into the glass.

KEYWORD: cranberry sidecar

Don’t forget to share your Cranberry Sidecar Cocktail with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? You can find them all right here with a few bites to go along with them!