Cranberry Simple Syrup

This Cranberry Simple Syrup adds a burst of REAL cranberry flavor to anything you add it to, and the possibilities are endless. It’s lovely in hot tea drinks and holiday mocktails & cocktails or drizzled over yogurt, oatmeal, baked brie, ice cream, and cheesecake! Those are just a few of the MANY ways to use this delicious DIY cranberry syrup.

cranberry simple syrup in a glass jar

Fresh cranberries are typically only available in grocery stores from October through December, but with this cranberry simple syrup recipe, you can cherish the sweet, tart, and tangy flavor of fresh cranberries year-round by concentrating the cranberry juice into simple syrup.

If you’re a fan of cranberry sauce, youโ€™ll LOVE this homemade cranberry syrup! You will also love this DIY simple syrup flavor because:

  • Only three ingredients (water, cranberries, and sugar).
  • A delicious way to preserve seasonal cranberries.
  • This is the BEST cranberry syrup recipe for your DIY holiday mocktail and cocktail needs.
  • This is the perfect holiday gift for cranberry lovers and aspiring mixologists!
  • It’s delectable drizzled over cakes, pancakes, waffles, and even ice cream!

Are you ready to make cranberry syrup from scratch? Pick out your cranberries, and letโ€™s get started.

a glass jar of cranberry simple syrup in a jar on a white table

๐Ÿงพ Ingredients

  • Water – When you simmer the correct sugar ratio in boiling water, it thickens into a sticky simple syrup. Use filtered or distilled water for the purest flavor and to reduce the risk of bacterial growth during storage.
  • Cranberries – Fresh cranberries are readily available during the fall and winter months. Select bags of firm, plump cranberries without any noticeable blemishes that range from deep red to light red in color. Steer clear of mushy and shriveled cranberries. A bag of frozen cranberries will do the trick if you can’t find fresh cranberries.
  • Sugar –  The fine granules in granulated sugar, cane sugar, and caster sugar dissolve quickly in hot water, creating a simple syrup.

๐Ÿฅ„ Recommended Tools: You will need a small saucepan for simmering, a fine-mesh sieve for straining, and a sanitized glass jar or bottle for safe storage. A muddler helps squeeze every drop of juice from the berries, but you can also use a sturdy kitchen tool like a wooden spoon, wooden meat pounder, or French rolling pin.

bowls of cranberries and sugar on a blue table

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make (step-by-step photos)

1๏ธโƒฃ Step One: Dissolve sugar

Combine the water, cranberries, and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the water reaches a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the mixture cook until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries break down and release their juices.

2๏ธโƒฃ Step Two: Press cranberries

Once the syrup thickens, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to separate the cranberry syrup from the pulp, but don’t throw it out! To extract even more juice and vibrant cranberry flavor, use a cocktail muddler to muddle the pulp, and then strain again. Add the extra juice to the syrup and stir.

3๏ธโƒฃ Step Three: Cool and store

After cooling, pour the cranberry syrup into a glass jar or bottle and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, pour the simple syrup into ice cube trays and freeze, then store the frozen cubes in a freezer-friendly bag for up to 6 months.

a white sauce pan with cranberries, water, and sugar for simple syrup

๐ŸŒฟ Variations

Cranberry pairs well with other fruits as well as herbaceous flavors. To add another flavor element, you can simmer the extra ingredient directly in the saucepan with the remaining ingredients and then strain once it’s finished.

For instance, to make orange cranberry syrup, simmer orange wedges with the cranberries and then press their juices out together. See the list below for more delicious cranberry syrup flavors.

  • Cranberry Rosemary
  • Cranberry Ginger
  • Cranberry Thyme
  • Cranberry Apple
  • Spiced Cranberry (simmer with whole spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and star anise).

๐ŸนHow to use cranberry syrup

Let’s start with some of the many ways to use this syrup around the kitchen this holiday season.

  • Breakfast treats โ€“ Drizzle over muffins, pancakes, waffles, crepes, or oatmeal.
  • Enhance desserts – Spread between cake layers or drizzle over cheesecake, pie, pound cake, Christmas cookies, etc.
  • Chilled drinks โ€“ For non-alcoholic beverages, add a splash of cranberry flavor to sparkling water, club soda, lemonade, and ice tea.
  • Hot beverages – Add a splash to hot tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider.

You can also use it to make customized holiday cocktails. Add a splash to your favorite mixed drinks, or try one of these easy cranberry cocktail creations:

  • Cranberry Margarita โ€“ Shake 1.5 ounces of white tequila, a splash of cranberry syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Then, strain into a tall sugar-rimmed glass of fresh ice.
  • Cranberry bourbon mule โ€“ Combine 1.5 ounces of bourbon, a splash of cranberry syrup, and ginger beer in a copper mule mug with ice.
  • Cranberry mimosa โ€“ Add a splash to champagne or prosecco. Drop a few fresh cranberries into the flutes for garnish.
  • Classic cosmopolitan – Add 2 ounces of citron vodka, 2 ounces of cranberry syrup, 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shake. Shake well and strain into a martini glass with a lemon twist.
a glass with cranberry simple syrup with a lime garnish

๐ŸงŠ How to store

Storing: After cooling, pour the syrup into a sanitized glass bottle or jar and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing: Planning to gift simple syrup? Freezing is a great way to get a head start before the holidays. DIY simple syrup will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Freezing in cubes: Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze, then transfer the frozen cubes of syrup to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 6 months.

For more information on how to freeze simple syrup, check out our freezing guide!

โ” FAQs

Can you use frozen cranberries to make syrup?

Sure! And thereโ€™s no need to thaw them first. Youโ€™ll just need to simmer the frozen berries for another minute or two before they start to burst and get juicy.

How do you make sugar-free cranberry syrup?

For a sugar-free & keto-friendly cranberry syrup, replace sugar with an allulose granulated sweetener, monk fruit sweetener, or erythritol. Add 1/8th teaspoon of xantham gum to the mixture to help it thicken. Check out thisย keto simple syrupย guide for more info.

How do you thicken cranberry syrup?

If the syrup isn’t thick enough, continue simmering to reduce it down even further. If that doesn’t work, add a thickener like gelatin or pectin.

Can I make flavored syrups with brown sugar?

Yes! The added molasses and larger sugar granules will slow the dissolving, which ultimately deepens the flavor profile of the syrup.

a jar of cranberry simple syrup in a glass jar on a blue table

๐Ÿ“ More berry-infused simple syrups

If you make the syrup flavors listed below along with this cranberry syrup, you’ll have DIY simple syrup in practically every berry flavor!

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cranberry simple syrup in a glass jar

Cranberry Simple Syrup

A Blissful Sip
This fresh cranberry-infused syrup adds a burst of bright-tart REAL cranberry flavor to anything you add it to, and the possibilities are endless. It's delightful in hot tea drinks and holiday mocktails & cocktails, as well as drizzled over yogurt, oatmeal, baked brie, ice cream, and cheesecake! Those are just a few of the MANY ways to use this delicious DIY cranberry syrup.
No ratings yet
Cook 15 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Total 30 mins
Course Simple Syrups
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 51 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Small Saucepan
  • 1 fine mesh sieve
  • 1 muddler optional
  • 1 glass jar or bottle for storage

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup water filtered or distilled
  • 1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup sugar

Instructions
 

  • Combine water, cranberries, and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the water begins to boil (about 5 minutes).
  • Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the sugar dissolves, and the cranberries begin to break down and become liquid (about 5 more minutes).
  • Once the syrup thickens, strain it through a fine mesh sieve to separate the cranberry syrup from the pulp. Don't discard the pulp.
  • To extract even more juice and flavor, use a cocktail muddler to muddle the reserved pulp, and then strain once more. Pour the extra juice into the syrup and stir.
  • After cooling, pour the cranberry syrup into a glass jar or bottle and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, pour the simple syrup into ice cube trays and freeze, then store the frozen cubes in a freezer-friendly bag for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.03gFat: 0.05gSaturated Fat: 0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.001gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.02mg
Keywords cranberry syrup, cranberry syrup for cocktails, cranberry syrup for drinks
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