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
laura says
All i'm finding at our local grocery store is anise seed -- it would be too difficult to remove from the syurp so what would you recommend?
Kristen Massad says
You can definitely make without the anise, but I do love keeping the spices in the syrup for an extra festive flavor.
laura says
Thanks for your response! I finally found it but now everyone was sold out of vanilla bean -- could only get vanilla bean paste. Any recommendations on how much to use in place of the vanilla bean?
Claire says
Looks delicious! Can you share how I would turn this into a batch cocktail guests can pour from a pitcher? Thanks!
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!
lp says
Could this be made and jarred in mason jars to give as gifts?
Kristen Massad says
Hi! Yes this would be adorable in a mason jar and then add a bottle of topo chico with it so they can add when they are going to drink it!
Katelyn says
Hi! I can’t find star anise. Will it be ok to omit… or is there a substitute
Kristen Massad says
Yes you can definitely omit the star anise!
Jackie says
This is my new favorite Winter cocktail! I made this multiple times over the holidays and it was a huge hit. Thank you so much!
Kristen Massad says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it for the holidays!!
Michelle says
can i use ground cinnamon and cloves ?
Kristen Massad says
Yes, you can use ground cinnamon and cloves!
Trish says
I made this as a batch cocktail for a Christmas party at our house and it was a HUGE hit! Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. Such an easy and delicious recipe! Definitely recommend adding the cinnamon sugar rim….so good!
Kristen Massad says
Yay! I am so happy everyone loved it! Merry Christmas!
Bridget Bowie says
Do you have the recipe to make it as a batch?
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!
Kylie says
I am excited to try this! I am making for 10 people.. will the amount of spiced simple syrup given for 1 serving yield enough for 10? If not, should I double, triple, quadruple? Thank you!
Kristen Massad says
Yes, the one recipe should be enough for 10 servings!
Pam Raitch says
How many drinks will one recipe of the simple syrup make?
Kristen Massad says
One recipe should make around 8-10 servings
Katie says
I’m a bit confused! There’s only 4 oz in 1/2 cup water so how does this simple syrup recipe make 8-10 drinks if the recipe calls for 1.5 oz? Thanks so much!
Kristen Massad says
The Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail is for one cocktail. The simple syrup does make a larger amount, but you can save it in the refrigerator for two weeks and use it for additional cocktails! Make sure to follow the recipe for the cranberry paloma cocktail and the ounces that goes into each glass! There is also a Spiced Cranberry Paloma Punch recipe which is for a crowd!
Sage says
I love your recipes, and I cannot wait to try this one out at my holiday party this weekend. I just hope none of my guests spill on my new rug haha!! I'd hate to have to call my carpet cleaner last minute!
Kristen Massad says
Thank you so much!! Haha, yes red is hard but on furniture, but it is so delicious! Enjoy!
Gina says
I love Paloma’s and this version sounds so tasty! Any suggestions for making a large batch slushy style for a party? Maybe freeze eveything except for sparkling water but use it to top off each glass?
Anonymous says
Would vodka work for the liquor as well?
Kristen Massad says
Yes! You can absolutely use vodka instead of tequila! Enjoy!
Jana says
This was delish. I’d make it in the summer as well, but maybe omit the clove and cinnamon.
Kristen Massad says
Yay! So happy you all loved it! I love it all year round, but you can also try our classic Paloma for summer flavors! Enjoy!!
lauren says
Do you add all of the simple syrup into the single cocktail serving?
Kristen Massad says
Hi Lauren,
You add the 1 1/2 ounces that it shows for the individual cocktail. You will have extra simple syrup if you are only making one cocktail but it saves really well in the refrigerator 2 weeks!
rose says
to make this a mocktail, should i simply just omit the alcohol? or will that leave flavors unbalanced?
Kristen Massad says
Hi Rosanna,
Yes you can omit the alcohol and you might just need it add some sparkling water but the flavor will still be great!
Amy says
Excited to try this recipe tonight. What is the ratio of sparkling water? Is it simply a topper?
Kristen Massad says
Hi Amy, the sparkling water is just a topper! Hope you enjoyed it!!!
Sarah says
Hi I’m curious what you use to rim the glass.
Kristen Massad says
Hi Sarah! I added cinnamon sugar to the rim of the glass. 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon!
Enjoy!
Raya says
Hi There,
If you don’t have vanilla beans, can you use vanilla extract? If so how much?
Kristen Massad says
Hi! Vanilla extract will work just fine (1 teaspoon) but will not give as strong of a vanilla flavor. This is ok though because the spices are the main focus in this syrup! Enjoy!
Kathy says
This cocktail is as delicious as it is festive. I never would have thought the flavors would go together so well! Five stars!!!
Kristen Massad says
So glad you loved it!! So festive and fun! Happy Holidays!
Christie says
This is delicious! Heading to a small ornament exchange and this will be the perfect addition to our evening.
Kristen Massad says
So glad you are loving it! Happy Holidays!!!