Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail is a festive twist on the classic Paloma Cocktail. Ruby red in color, blending tart cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, the earthy flavor of tequila and a hint of spiced simple syrup. This perfect cocktail is garnished with sugared cranberries that sparkle and a fresh and fragrant sprig of rosemary making this the ultimate Christmas cocktail!
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What a year! We are four days a way from Christmas and cocktails are top of mind, if that tells you anything 🙂 As we prepare our menu, whether big or small and get our table set the next best thing is creating the perfect cocktail to be enjoyed during the festivities. As we started quarantine in march, our go to cocktail was The Perfect Paloma. It was summery, refreshing and just so perfect for hot days, so why not end the year with a Spiced Cranberry Paloma.
What is A Spiced Paloma?
Just like a Classic Paloma Cocktail, the Spiced Cranberry Paloma has many similar ingredients but adding in cranberry juice and spiced simple syrup. Made with cranberry juice for the most beautiful ruby red color and tart flavor, grapefruit juice, lime juice and tequila. Adding a spiced simple syrup makes this cocktail super festive and cozy for all the winter vibes. Spiced simple syrup, made with sugar, water, whole cinnamon, cloves, anise and vanilla bean and is easy to make and adds the perfect flavor punch that this cocktail really needs.
Ingredients
Cranberry Juice-100% cranberry juice is going to be the best options for this cocktail. With all the other added flavors, you don't want to mix any other ingredients!
Grapefruit Juice-I love fresh squeezed grapefruit juice to a clean flavor
Lime Juice- Fresh squeezed lime juice will add a perfect tart and citrus flavor with all the cinnamon spice
Spiced Simple Syrup-Granulated sugar and water mixed with whole spices will add a festive and spiced flavor
Tequila- Choose your favorite tequila for this cocktail!
Directions
- Using a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and tequila and shake
- Pour the cranberry cocktail into a glass, fill the glass with ice and top off the remainder of the glass with sparkling water
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, sugared cranberries and dried grapefruit slices (optional)
Prepare the Spiced Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan combine the granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, anise and vanilla bean
- Bring the simple syrup to a boil and continue boiling until the sugar is dissolved
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the syrup from the stove but keep the spices in the syrup to allow them infuse for 10 minutes while the syrup is cooling
- Remove the spices from the syrup and pour the syrup in a jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to use
Make It Festive
Garnishing your cocktail can be equally as fun as making the cocktail. For a festive Christmas cocktail, sugared cranberries, a fresh rosemary sprig and dried grapefruit slices are the perfect topper for this Spiced Cranberry Paloma!
Make It For a Crowd
Spiced Cranberry Paloma Punch is a large batch version of our very favorite Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail. Ruby red in color, poured into a large pitcher with cranberry juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, tequila and spiced simple syrup and serve to a crowd! This is the ultimate festive Christmas Cocktail!
Holiday Recipes You Will Love
Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
Spiced Simple Syrup
- ½ cup granulated Sugar
- ½ Cup Water
- 2 cinnamon sticks whole
- 2 whole cloves whole
- 2 star anise whole
- 1 vanilla bean split open
Spiced Cranberry Paloma
- 2 ounces Cranberry Juice
- 1 ounce Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 ½ ounce Spiced Simple Syrup
- 2 ounces Tequila
- Sparkling Water
- Ice
Garnish (optional)
- A Sprig of Rosemary
- Sugared Cranberries
- Dried Grapefruit Slice
Instructions
Prepare the Spiced Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan combine the granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, anise and vanilla bean
- Bring the simple syrup to a boil and continue boiling until the sugar is dissolved
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the syrup from the stove but keep the spices in the syrup to allow them infuse for 10 minutes while the syrup is cooling
- Remove the spices from the syrup and pour the syrup in a jar and store in the refrigerator until ready to use
Prepare the Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail
- Using a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and tequila and shake
- Pour the cranberry cocktail into a glass, fill the glass with ice and top off the remainder of the glass with sparkling water
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, sugared cranberries and dried grapefruit slices (optional)
Nutrition
Spiced Cranberry Paloma Punch (For A Crowd)
Ingredients
Spiced Simple Syrup
- 4 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 4 Cups Water
- 4 Cinnamon Sticks
- 4 Star Anise
- 8 Whole Cloves
- 2 Whole Vanilla Bean Split Open
Spiced Cranberry Paloma Punch
- 40 Ounces Cranberry Juice
- 10 Ounces Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 10 Ounces Lime Juice
- 30 Ounces Spiced Simple Syrup
- 40 Ounces Tequila
- Sparkling Water (I love Topo Chico)
- Ice
Garnish (optional)
- Rosemary Sprigs
- Sugared Cranberries
- Dried Grapefruit Slices
Instructions
Prepare the Spiced Simple Syrup
- In a medium sauce pan combine the granulated sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, anise and vanilla beans
- Bring the simple syrup to a boil and continue boiling until the sugar is dissolved
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the syrup from the stove but keep the spices in the syrup to allow them to infuse for 20 minutes or longer while the syrup is cooling
- Pour the syrup and the spices into a jar and store the refrigerator until ready to use
- Once you use the simple syrup for the Cranberry Paloma Punch, store the remaining simple syrup in a jar in the refrigerator and use for other cocktails. Spiced Simple Syrup will stay good for 2 weeks in the refrigerator!
Prepare the Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail
- Pour the cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and tequila into large pitcher or a beverage dispenser and mix until combined
- Fill a glass with ice, fill the glass ¾ full with the Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail and top with sparkling water
- Garnish each drink with a sprig of fresh rosemary, sugared cranberries and a dried grapefruit slice (optional)
- Repeat for each glass! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Adi says
Hi,
Sounds delicious!
I noticed the ratios aren't the same in the one cocktail and the batch version. Is this on purpose?
thank you!!
Kristen Massad says
Yes the ratios are different. There is less citrus because in a larger batch, the citrus over powers the other flavors. You will love this recipe and so will your guests! Happy Holidays.
Kristen
MDeats says
How many drinks does the simple syrup cover? If I want to make a pitcher, is it as simple as quadrupling+ the other ingredients?
Kristen Massad says
I have just updated and added a Spiced Cranberry Paloma Punch recipe which is a large batch version of this cocktail! Perfect for a crowd! When you make the simple syrup you will have a little left over, but the syrup will last for 2 weeks when refrigerated and will be great for other cocktails during the holidays! Enjoy!