Cranberry Maraschino Sour: The Grand Finale of Our Festive Cocktail Series
Here we are at the end of our festive cocktail series, and it’s time to finish with something special. Meet the Cranberry Maraschino Sour — a bright, tart twist on a classic sour that swaps whiskey for the floral character of Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin. A splash of maraschino liqueur and a few dashes of orange bitters round out the flavors, while freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the drink its lively acidity. This crisp, festive cocktail is an ideal highlight for holiday gatherings and cocktail parties.
I love designing seasonal drinks that capture warmth and cheer. Growing up in Austria, the holidays were always about rich flavors and meaningful traditions, and I enjoy pairing tart, refreshing drinks with richer desserts for balance. Try this sour beside homemade dark chocolate truffles for a decadent contrast or buttery sugar-dusted cookies for a cozy, citrusy complement.
This Cranberry Maraschino Sour is more than a cocktail — it’s an invitation to pause, savor, and celebrate the moment. Cheers to festive memories and a cocktail series to remember!
Video
Ingredients
- Cranberry juice
- Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin
- Maraschino liqueur
- Orange bitters
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Sugar-dusted cranberries on a cocktail skewer
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Step-by-Step
Shake well!
Instructions
Step 1: Add 0.5 oz maraschino liqueur, 1.5 oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin, three dashes of orange bitters, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Add cubed ice.
Step 3: Close the shaker and shake vigorously until well chilled.
Step 4: Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass so the color remains clear and vibrant.
Step 5: On a small plate, spread a little granulated sugar. Roll a few cranberries on skewers through the sugar until coated; they’ll look like frosted jewels.
Step 6: Place the sugared cranberry skewer across the glass and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Lemon squeezer
- Measuring tools / jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine strainer
- Cocktail skewer & small plate
Top tips
Adjusting tartness
If the cocktail is too tart for your taste, try one of these simple adjustments:
- Add a sweetener: A splash of simple syrup, honey, or maple syrup will smooth the acidity and add warmth.
- Increase the maraschino: An extra half-ounce of maraschino liqueur boosts sweetness and balances the citrus.
- Choose a sweeter cranberry juice: If you started with unsweetened cranberry juice, switching to a sweetened variety will make the drink rounder.
More cranberry recipes to try
- Cranberry Aperol Spritz
- Festive Cranberry Gin and Tonic
- Cranberry Gin Spritz
- Cranberry Peppermint Martini
- Blue Christmas Cocktail
- Cranberry Vodka Spritzer
- Cranberry Gin Fizz
- Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour
- Prosecco Cosmo
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry Bundt Cake
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cornflake Cookies
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If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment to let me know how it turned out. You can also follow along on Pinterest or Instagram and tag your photos so I can see your creations: @combinegoodflavors and #combinegoodflavors.
Cranberry Maraschino Sour
A festive sour featuring floral gin, tart cranberry juice, and a hint of maraschino liqueur. Garnish with sugar-coated cranberries for holiday sparkle.
Equipment
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Lemon squeezer
- Measuring tools / jigger
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine strainer
- Cocktail skewer & small plate
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora Gin
- 0.5 oz Maraschino liqueur
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 0.5 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Cubed ice for the shaker
- Sugar-dusted cranberries on a cocktail skewer
Instructions
- Pour the maraschino liqueur, gin, orange bitters, cranberry juice, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Add cubed ice.
- Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Roll cranberries on a skewer through granulated sugar to frost them.
- Place the sugared cranberry skewer across the top of the glass and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 168 kcal | Carbohydrates: 11 g | Sugar: 9 g
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) when preparing hot foods.
- Do not use the same utensils for cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after handling raw meat.
- Do not leave perishable food sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Ensure good ventilation when using a gas stove.
For more detailed safe food handling guidance, consult official food safety resources in your country.