2 Minute Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Bliss

Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz. When the weather turns crisp, I just crave those drinks that feel both cozy and bright all at once. I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that you and your family will love. Everything I put on this site is made with heart and flavor, built on years of kitchen testing and tasting. I don’t mess around with complicated steps or ingredients that leave you scratching your head. This philosophy carries right over to my cocktails, which is why I’m so excited to share this go-to holiday sipper with you today. It’s the perfect example of how simple ingredients, when treated right, create something truly special.

Why You Will Love This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Recipe

This drink is designed for real life, not just fancy magazines. It’s fast, it tastes amazing, and it always impresses guests. You need this recipe for your next gathering!

• It’s unbelievably fast—ready in under two minutes!
• The flavor is perfectly balanced: tart, sweet, and warm all at once.
• It’s easily customized depending on how strong you like your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz.

Quick Preparation Time

Seriously, two minutes. That’s all it takes. Fill your glass with ice first. Pour in the bourbon. Add the juices. Top it off. Done. You don’t even need to shake this one if you’re in a rush.

Bright and Balanced Flavor Profile

That tart cranberry juice cuts right through the richness of the bourbon. The fresh orange keeps things bright and citrusy, stopping the drink from getting too heavy. It’s the perfect winter cocktail that still feels lively. This Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz is sunshine in a glass, even when it’s snowing outside.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

You only need a handful of things to pull this Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz together, but the quality really shines through because there are so few places for weak flavors to hide. We’re working with bourbon, two kinds of juice, and whatever you like for the fizz on top. Don’t stress about fancy bar tools; we’re keeping this easy, just like everything else around here.

Measuring and Selecting Components

When it comes to the bourbon, I usually stick to 1.5 ounces because I like the cranberry and orange to really sing, but if you’re looking for something a bit stronger, go ahead and push it to 2 ounces. That’s my secret strength adjustment! For the juices, unsweetened cranberry juice is my go-to because it keeps things tart, but if you only have the sweetened cocktail version, that’s fine too—just skip any extra sweeteners later. Always use fresh orange juice if you can; it makes a huge difference in brightness.

And for the fizzy top? Ginger beer adds a lovely little spicy kick that plays so well with the bourbon, but if you want pure bubbles without the sweetness, club soda or plain seltzer works perfectly well. It’s all about what you have on hand!

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Bourbon	1.5 oz (or 2 oz)	Your favorite warming spirit.
Unsweetened Cranberry Juice	2 oz	Use sweetened juice for a sweeter overall drink.
Orange Juice	1 oz	Freshly squeezed is always best here.
Fizz Agent	Splash	Ginger beer for spice, seltzer for simple bubbles.
Garnish	As desired	Cranberries, orange slices, or rosemary sprigs.

Equipment Needed for the Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

You don’t need a whole bar setup for this Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz, thankfully! I keep things simple. You’ll want a good, sturdy glass—a highball or even a nice rocks glass works perfectly. Since we are building this drink right in the glass, you don’t need a shaker. Just make sure you have something to measure that bourbon accurately, like a jigger or even a standard tablespoon measure if you’re careful!

Simple Steps to Make Your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s over before you even realize you started! Because this is a built drink, there’s zero cleanup from shaking, which is my favorite part. We are aiming for a beautiful layered look before we top it off with fizz. Follow this order exactly if you want the best results for your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz.

Building the Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Base

First thing, grab your glass—any nice tall one will do—and fill it completely up with ice. Cold ice means a colder drink that doesn’t water down too fast. Next, measure and pour in your bourbon. This is step one for a reason; we want the liquor near the ice first. Following that, measure out your 2 ounces of cranberry juice and your 1 ounce of orange juice and add them right over the bourbon. Give it a quick, gentle stir right here just to marry the spirits and juices before we add the bubbles.

Finalizing and Garnishing Your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

Time to make it fizz! Take your splash of ginger beer or seltzer—whichever you chose—and gently pour it over the top of the mixture. Don’t stir it too much after this point, or you’ll lose all those lovely bubbles that give this Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz its name. Now for the fun part: garnishing! Drop in a few fresh cranberries, slide an orange slice onto the rim, or grab a sprig of rosemary for that incredible aroma. Serve this beauty up right away!

Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

Even though this Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz is incredibly simple, a few little tweaks can take it from good to absolutely show-stopping. I’ve learned that sometimes you need to adjust based on the brand of cranberry juice you buy—some are way tarter than others. Don’t be afraid to taste as you go, that’s how we learn what works best for our own palates!

Adjusting Sweetness Levels

If you taste your base before adding the fizz and it’s just too tart for your liking, don’t panic! I keep a little jar of simple syrup right next to my bourbon shelf for this exact reason. Just add half a teaspoon at a time until you hit that sweet spot that balances the cranberry. Remember, if you substitute the unsweetened cranberry juice with the sweeter cranberry juice cocktail, you might not need any syrup at all. Always taste test before you commit!

Garnish Variations for the Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

The standard garnishes are great, but if you want to really elevate your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz, get creative! Rosemary is fantastic because when you gently tap the sprig before putting it in, it releases this amazing piney scent that smells just like the holidays. You could also use crystallized ginger stuck on a cocktail pick, or even a thin wheel of dehydrated orange—it looks so professional!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz

I get so many questions about this drink, especially when folks are trying to adapt it for a big crowd or simplify things even further. It’s a super flexible recipe, which is why I love it so much! Don’t worry if you don’t have every specialized ingredient; we can always work around it. Here are a few things I hear most often about perfecting that Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz.

Can I make a non-alcoholic Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz?

Oh, absolutely! It breaks my heart when someone can’t enjoy a delicious drink, so we can definitely make a fantastic mocktail version. To make a non-alcoholic Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz, just skip the bourbon entirely. Instead, use 1.5 ounces of good quality non-alcoholic spirit replacement, or, even simpler, use an extra ounce of the cranberry juice and top it with a really flavorful ginger ale instead of plain seltzer. You still get the tartness and the spice!

What is the best bourbon for a Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz?

You don’t need to break out your most expensive bottle for this, I promise! Since the bourbon is balanced by strong fruit flavors, you want something reliable but not overly complex. I usually reach for a mid-range bourbon—something with notes of vanilla and a little bit of oak. If you use a very heavily spiced rye whiskey instead of bourbon, it will change the drink significantly, so stick to a standard bourbon base for that classic warmth that makes the Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz so comforting.

How far ahead of time can I mix the juices?

That’s a great question about party prep! You can absolutely mix the cranberry juice and the orange juice together ahead of time and keep that mixture chilled in the fridge for up to two days. But here’s the key: Do not add the bourbon or the fizz until the absolute last second. If you mix the alcohol in too early, the ice melts too fast and dilutes the whole thing before anyone even takes a sip!

Storing Leftover Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Ingredients

It’s rare that I have leftovers because these go down so fast, but if you’re making a big batch of the juice mix or you have leftover garnishes, you definitely need to store them properly so they taste fresh for the next round of Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz. The juices are easy, but the fizzy toppers need a little more care so they don’t go flat on you!

Item	Storage Method	Shelf Life (Approx.)
Mixed Juices (Cranberry/Orange)	Airtight container in the fridge.	Up to 3 days.
Opened Ginger Beer/Seltzer	Transfer to a tightly sealed bottle or container.	1-2 days (will lose carbonation).
Garnishes (Citrus/Rosemary)	Keep citrus slices in a sealed baggie; rosemary in a damp paper towel.	Varies, use within 3 days.

Share Your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Experience

I really want to hear how you enjoyed this drink! Tell me if you preferred the ginger beer or the seltzer, and what kind of bourbon you settled on for your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz. Drop your thoughts and a rating in the comments below so others can see your success!

Share Your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz Experience

I really want to hear how you enjoyed this drink! Tell me if you preferred the ginger beer or the seltzer, and what kind of bourbon you settled on for your Cranberry Orange Bourbon Fizz. Drop your thoughts and a rating in the comments below so others can see your success!

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