Chai-Cranberry Bourbon Smash

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The holidays are here, so let’s get into a festive spirit with this chai-cranberry bourbon smash! Made with a brown sugar-chai simple syrup and freshly muddled rosemary, this cranberry bourbon cocktail is full of warm flavors that are perfect for this time of year. When you need a cocktail that’s full of holiday cheer, you can’t go wrong with this cozy sipper.

A cranberry bourbon smash with Christmas decor and a bottle of bourbon in the background.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
Perfect Pairing
Need Some Merry Cocktails in Your Life?
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

All things holidays inspired: With the warming bourbon, cranberries, rosemary and chai spice, everything about this cocktail makes for the perfect signature holiday cocktail. This drink will definitely add a cheery note to any holiday gathering.

That fizzy spice kick: For an extra special, elegant touch, we top this cocktail with ginger ale. I just love how it adds some sparkle to the holiday along with some delicious ginger notes.

Fresh ingredients: Cranberry juice works great in cocktails, like my sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita and Sugar Plum Fairy Martini, but there's something extra special about enjoying fresh cranberries while they're in season. Plus, we use fresh rosemary for a lovely fragrance and flavor boost with real lime wedges for the perfect citrusy touch.

Bonus: For more holiday fun, check out my collections on best Thanksgiving cocktails and signature Christmas cocktails.

Ingredients

Bourbon: For this chai-cranberry bourbon smash, I tested it using Redwood Empire, which is a blend of 60 percent rye and 40 percent bourbon from Graton Distilling Co., located just west of Sonoma County, California. Graton Distilling ages the blend in port, wine and American oak barrels, making for a bourbon with a slightly spicy character. After the initial spice hits, the bourbon finishes with smooth vanilla and caramel notes.

That said, feel free to use your favorite mid-range bourbon. I've also made it with Maker's Mark and have no doubt it'd be just as wonderful with other options.

Brown sugar-chai simple syrup: Get this brown sugar-chai simple syrup recipe right here on Burrata and Bubbles. It makes the most delicious cocktails, and I've even used it to make homemade lattes -- so divine!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Grab your cocktail shaker and add the brown sugar-chai simple syrup with fresh cranberries, lime wedges and rosemary (photo 1) and muddle until the cranberries break down like so (photo 2).

Muddling the cranberries, lime, simple syrup and rosemary in a cocktail shaker until they break down.

Step 2: After we muddle, it's time to add the most important ingredient of all: bourbon (photo 3). We also toss in a handful of ice (photo 4).

A collage showing the process of adding the bourbon and ice to a cocktail shaker.

Step 3: Now we shake everything together (photo 5) and strain into ice-filled glasses like so (photo 6).

A collage showing the process of shaking and straining the cocktail into a glass.

Step 4: For our final step, we top our chai-cranberry bourbon smash with ginger ale for a delightful fizzy kick (photo 7).

Pouring a splash of ginger ale into the drink before serving.

For an optional garnish, I like to add a sprig of rosemary. Not only is this a nod to the drink's ingredients but rosemary also looks like small Christmas tree branches. And that's just fun.

Now sip and enjoy this festive holiday bourbon smash!

Looking down on two bourbon cranberry smashes on a piece of burlap.

Recipe FAQs

What makes a drink a smash?

To make an authentic smash, you must muddle a spirit, herb, sugar or syrup, and seasonal fruit. Sometimes I see recipes called smashes that don't call for muddling or use those ingredients, and I'm always a bit confused. With muddling, we are literally smashing our drink, hence the name.

Can you make this drink in a pitcher ahead of time?

Sure, you basically have two options here. If you don't mind having fruit bits in the drink, you can make a large batch in the pitcher and then add the ginger ale right before serving. However, if you'd prefer a strained drink, I recommend muddling everything in a mixing bowl and then passing through a fine-mesh sieve. The drink will keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and you can find proportions in the notes section of the recipe card.

Can you substitute bourbon for another liquor?

While we both might love bourbon, a friend or family member might not share our affinity. If that's the case, you can substitute another liquor, and my first recommendation is a dark rum instead. A reposado or anejo tequila both spend time aging in oak barrels and would also be delicious.

Expert Tips

Use a little muscle when muddling to properly break down these ingredients. While some smash cocktails are made with softer herbs and fruit, this does take a little more pressure.
Once you make the chai-brown sugar simple syrup, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last several weeks.
For the proper cocktail shaking technique, make sure you use both hands to get enough force to agitate the mixture.

Perfect Pairing

With it being the holidays, we need a festive meal to go along with this chai-cranberry bourbon smash, and my holiday roasted duck is perfect. Duck is such a rich meat that it holds up to the bourbon well, and it's served with a cranberry-orange glaze that pairs beautifully with the warm spice.

I hope you get into the holiday spirit and try this chai-cranberry bourbon smash. You will feel oh-so festive sipping on this delicious holiday cocktail.

Cheers!

Two cranberry bourbon smash cocktails with holiday decor around them.

Need Some Merry Cocktails in Your Life?

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