We've all heard the statement "less is more," and that totally fits the cranberry martini — the sister cocktail of the Cosmopolitan. While the cosmo may get all the attention for its glamorous look and Carrie Bradshaw lifestyle, the cranberry martini is the subtle version of the two. It's just as elegant, slightly sweet, and crisp as a martini should be. So skip the orange liqueur and let the spotlight shine on the true stars of this cocktail: the vodka and cranberry.
How to Make a Cranberry Martini
While traditional martinis are stirred, we're huge fans of doing what's best for you. It's almost always best to shake when combining a spirit and fruit juice so the two mix well.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces vodka or cranberry-infused vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
If you're not a vodka fan, stick to the classic martini recipe and use gin and ½ ounce of dry vermouth.
Variations and Substitutions
This simple and tart martini has so much room to play around with. Here are some of our suggestions that will keep the flavor and taste of the cocktail true to its nature with a little pizazz.
- Use lemon juice instead of lime.
- Try equal parts cranberry juice and cranberry liqueur.
- If you want your crantini to be less tart, skip the lime juice and use simple syrup.
- To keep the tart flavor, use dry vermouth.
- Replace the vodka with rosemary-infused vodka.
- If you want to infuse two flavors in one, we suggest mixing equal parts berry-infused vodka, vanilla-flavored vodka, or apple-flavored vodka. These flavors all pair well with cranberry.
Garnishes
Garnishes add a visual experience and flavor that would otherwise be missing. Garnishes are an extension of the cocktail itself.
- Use a lemon twist instead of a lime wedge.
- Add an orange twist for a warm citrus profile.
- Pierce three whole cranberries on a cocktail skewer.
- Consider adding a sugar rim for a sweeter flavor.
Tart, Sweet, and Just Right
If you want a delightful brunch drink or after-dinner cocktail, try shaking up a cranberry martini. Not only is the tart cranberry flavor refreshing, but this martini is subtle in sweetness and heavy on class. So skip the orange liqueur and give the cosmo a run for its money because there's a new star in town.
