Cranberry Rosemary Spritzer with Vodka and Lime

Cranberry Rosemary Spritzer

These cranberry rosemary spritzers combine tart cranberry juice, vodka, lime, and rosemary-infused syrup in short glasses over ice. The syrup gives the drink rosemary flavor beyond the aroma of the fresh sprig; chilled club soda adds a crisp, bubbly finish without more sweetness.

Make the syrup ahead if you like, but add the soda only when the drinks are ready to serve. Each glass gets a pick of whole cranberries, a rosemary sprig, and a lime wedge.

Ingredients for 2 Cranberry Rosemary Spritzers

Rosemary syrup

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 fresh rosemary sprig

Spritzers and garnish

• 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) unsweetened 100% cranberry juice
• 2 fluid ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
• 1 fluid ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
• 4 fluid ounces (1/2 cup) chilled club soda, or enough to top the glasses
• Ice, enough to generously fill 2 rocks glasses
• 6 fresh cranberries
• 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 2 small lime wedges

The syrup batch makes extra. Use 1 tablespoon per drink, not the full batch.

How to Make Cranberry Rosemary Spritzers

1. Infuse the syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir for about 2–3 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the syrup is clear. Remove from the heat, add the rosemary sprig, and steep off the heat for 15 minutes.
2. Strain and cool: Remove the sprig and strain out any loose needles. Refrigerate the syrup until cool, about 10–15 minutes. Measure out 2 tablespoons for the drinks and set the rest aside. Warm syrup will melt the serving ice.
3. Prepare the garnishes: Carefully thread 3 firm cranberries onto each of 2 cocktail picks. Set out the remaining rosemary sprigs and lime wedges.
4. Build the drinks: Generously fill 2 clear rocks glasses with ice. To each glass, add 2 ounces cranberry juice, 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and 1 tablespoon cooled rosemary syrup. Stir gently.
5. Add the fizz: Pour about 2 ounces chilled club soda into each glass, adjusting to fit. Rest a cranberry pick and rosemary sprig across each rim, with the sprig angled over the drink, and add a lime wedge. Serve immediately while bubbly.

Choose the Right Cranberry Juice

The amounts above use unsweetened 100% cranberry juice, which is much tarter than sweetened cranberry juice cocktail. If using juice cocktail, start with less rosemary syrup and adjust to taste. The whole cranberries are garnish; the juice supplies the drink’s cranberry flavor.

Keep the Spritzer Bubbly

Stir the still ingredients before adding soda, and pour the soda directly into each glass just before serving. Do not shake club soda or add it to a batch ahead of time.

For a sweeter, gingery variation, replace the club soda with chilled ginger ale and reduce the syrup to taste. For a different ginger-forward cranberry drink, try this cranberry Moscow mule.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Strain and cool the rosemary syrup, then refrigerate it in a clean, covered container. The batch makes more than these two drinks need; a storage duration has not been established for this syrup.

For a gathering, combine the cranberry juice, vodka, lime juice, and measured cooled syrup, and keep the still base refrigerated until serving. Add ice, club soda, and garnishes to individual glasses at the last minute. Fully assembled spritzers will lose their fizz and become diluted as the ice melts.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per cocktail, based on 2 servings: 135 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 19g carbohydrates. Per 100g of prepared liquid, before ice melts: approximately 75 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 10g carbohydrates. Values are estimates and exclude the unused syrup; juice brands and ice dilution will affect the results.