This Holiday Cranberry Mojito has become my go-to for winter gatherings because it feels both celebratory and refreshingly light. I first paired cranberries with the classic mint and lime mojito during an impromptu holiday cocktail hour when I wanted something bright to cut through rich party foods. The tart-sweet homemade cranberry syrup brings color and seasonal aroma while the mint and lime keep the drink crisp and uplifting. Every sip balances sweet, tart, and herbaceous notes, making it an instant crowd-pleaser.

I discovered the syrup trick on a snowy evening while testing simple syrups for a cookies-and-cocktails event. Using fresh cranberries gives the syrup a lively, slightly tannic backbone that lifts the white rum instead of masking it. The result is a cocktail that looks festive in a glass, tastes fresh, and is easy to scale for a crowd. When I serve this, friends always comment on the bright ruby color and ask for the recipe.

Ingredients

• Cranberries for the syrup: 8 oz fresh cranberries (about 2 cups). Choose plump, bright berries; frozen work fine if thawed. The natural acidity of cranberries gives the syrup its lively backbone.
• Water: 1 cup. This dilutes the syrup to a pourable consistency and extracts flavor during simmering.
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup. Regular white sugar dissolves and clarifies nicely; use a reliable brand you trust for consistent sweetness.
• Fresh mint leaves: 20 leaves total. Look for glossy, fragrant leaves; spearmint is ideal for its mild sweetness.
• Lime juice: 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed. Fresh juice brightens the drink and activates mint oils when muddled.
• Cranberry syrup for the cocktail: 4 oz per two servings (120 ml). The syrup adds fruit flavor, color and sweetness.
• White rum: 4 oz total (120 ml). Choose a clean, light rum that won't overpower the fresh ingredients.
• Ice cubes: As needed for serving.
• Sparkling water: 4 oz (120 ml) to top and add effervescence.
• Garnish (optional): extra mint sprigs, fresh cranberries and lime slices for a festive finish.

Instructions

Make the cranberry syrup: Combine 8 oz fresh cranberries, 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes until the berries have softened and released their juices. You should see a glossy, deep red syrup forming. Strain and cool: Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard or reserve the pulp for compote or yogurt topping. Chill the syrup before mixing into cocktails. Muddle mint and lime: In a jar or shaker, add 10 fresh mint leaves and 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice. Use a cocktail muddler or the end of a wooden spoon to gently bruise the mint—press just enough to release the aromatic oils without shredding the leaves to avoid bitterness. Combine with rum: Add 2 oz cranberry syrup and 2 oz white rum to the muddled mint and lime. Stir or gently shake to combine and allow flavors to marry for a minute; this briefly macerates the mint and blends the tart syrup with rum. Assemble the drink: Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the mojito mix and top with 2 oz sparkling water. Stir once to integrate. Taste and adjust: add a splash more syrup for sweetness or an extra squeeze of lime for brightness. Garnish and serve: Garnish with a sprig of mint, a few fresh cranberries and a lime wheel. Serve immediately while effervescence is lively.

Storage Tips

Store the cranberry syrup in a clean glass jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze the syrup in measured portions—ice cube trays are perfect so you can pop out exactly 2 oz when needed. Keep finished cocktails on ice and consume within a few hours for best effervescence. If assembling in advance for a party, prepare the syrup and the rum-mint base separately and combine with sparkling water just before serving to preserve the fizz.

Ingredient Substitutions

If cranberries are not available, use pomegranate juice concentrate with reduced sugar to mimic the tartness and color; use about 3 oz pomegranate juice with 1 tablespoon sugar simmered briefly to make a syrup. Swap white rum for silver tequila for a slightly herbal edge, or use aged rum for a richer flavor—but reduce syrup slightly to prevent the cocktail from becoming too sweet. For a sugar-free version, use a natural sweetener like erythritol in a 1:1 substitution, though texture and mouthfeel will differ slightly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in clear highball glasses to showcase the ruby hue and bright garnishes. Pair with salty holiday snacks like spiced nuts, baked brie, or smoked salmon crostini to balance the cocktail's sweetness. For a festive presentation, rim glasses with a mix of finely chopped candied orange peel and sugar, or thread cranberries on a cocktail pick as a pretty garnish.

Cultural Background

The mojito has Cuban roots, traditionally made with white rum, sugar, lime and mint. This variation keeps the classic structure but adds a New World fruit—cranberry—common in North American winter cuisine. The addition of a fruit syrup is a technique bartenders use worldwide to season cocktails seasonally while preserving the original drink's spirit-forward framework.

Seasonal Adaptations

In winter, use fresh cranberries and possibly a cinnamon stick in the syrup for a winter spice note. For summer, substitute lightly macerated strawberries or raspberries to create a bright, seasonal fruit mojito. To make it holiday-specific, add a splash of spiced pear liqueur for warmth or top with prosecco instead of sparkling water for celebratory bubbles.

Meal Prep Tips

Prepare the cranberry syrup up to 7 days in advance and store chilled. Muddle mint and lime in a pitcher with the syrup and rum an hour before guests arrive, but wait to add sparkling water until serving. Portion the mix into individual glasses with ice and pour sparkling water tableside to keep drinks lively and prevent them from going flat in advance.

Every part of this drink—from the syrup to the final fizz—rewards a little attention. Share it with friends, adjust sweetness to your taste, and enjoy the holiday sparkle it brings to any celebration.