Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz – Cranberry and orange juice are mixed with Aperol liquor, Prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water to make for a refreshing winter cocktail.
Historically, warm cocktails take over come winter time: hot toddys, mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, etc. But just because it’s cold, it doesn’t mean that my love of refreshing drinks goes out the window. I love a great festive sangria or Moscow mule this time of year.
For my newest festive creation, I decided to celebrate a refreshing drink that has been taking over cocktail menus all year long – the aperol spritz. I recognize this drink has been around for years, but it’s only hit my radar this past year.
The aperol spritz is a refreshing Italian drink, typically served as an aperitif (a drink served before a meal). It tends to be most popular during the summer months. But with the addition of cranberry and orange (and a festive sprig of rosemary!), I’ve made this drink just the cocktail you need for winter.
And so, I present to you my Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz!
What is in this cocktail?
A traditional aperol spritz is made with Aperol liquor, Prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water. It’s served over ice and with a slice of orange. It’s dry, yet refreshing and oh so delicious.
Aperol has a citrus flavor, similar to grapefruit, with a hint of orange. For this version of the aperol spritz, I added in cranberry juice cocktail because cranberry and orange pair so perfectly. I also used a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries for garnish to make it even more festive. 
How is it made?
This cocktail is incredibly easy to make – it takes mere minutes to put it together. First, you mix equal parts cranberry juice and Aperol liquor. Then, you top with 3 ounces of Prosecco, a squeeze of an orange wedge, and a splash of sparkling water. That’s it, folks!
I like to serve this drink in a large wine glass but you can use any 16-ounce glass.
Tips & Tricks
- You cannot make the entire drink ahead of time because the fizz in the Prosecco and sparkling water will lessen over time. However, you can mix the juices with the aperol and simply top with champagne and sparkling water when it’s time to serve.
- Cranberry juice cocktail is not 100% cranberry juice. It is sweetened to balance out the tart flavor of the cranberry. Make sure you use cranberry juice cocktail in this drink to ensure the drink is the right amount of sweet.
Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
- 2 ounces Aperol liquor
- 3 ounces Prosecco or champagne
- 1 ounce sparkling water
- 1 orange wedge
- rosemary sprig for garnish
- fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- Fill up a large wine glass with ice. Add all the liquid ingredients and stir together. Finish it off with a squeeze of the orange wedge. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries.
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More drink recipes you’ll love:
Pomegranate Rosemary Moscow Mule
Cranberry Lime Mojitos
Cranberry Champagne Poptail
The make-ahead tip is such a lifesaver for holiday hosting — mixing the cranberry juice and Aperol ahead of time and topping each glass with Prosecco and sparkling water at the last minute keeps the fizz intact. The cranberry-orange combo really does make an aperol spritz feel festive enough for winter. Pinning this for our Christmas gathering!
This Cranberry Orange Aperol Spritz is a brilliant twist on winter cocktails! I love how you balance the tart cranberry and orange with the bitter Aperol, making it feel festive yet refreshing despite the cold weather. It’s a great alternative to the usual heavy hot toddies or mulled wine. Speaking of unique flavors, I sometimes find inspiration for seasonal drinks while exploring creative online themes, like those found in a free Haunted Dorm online game which has surprisingly vivid atmospheres creepy dorm stories. Do you think adding a splash of rosemary would complement this spritz well?
The make-ahead tip is especially useful: mixing the cranberry, orange, and aperitif base in advance while waiting to add the sparkling ingredients preserves the fizz without sacrificing convenience. Using sweetened cranberry juice rather than pure cranberry juice also seems essential for keeping the drink balanced instead of overly tart.
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I completely agree that refreshing drinks aren’t just for summer! The cranberry and orange combo sounds like the perfect winter twist. Making this is a great way to unwind, much like playing a quick word ladder puzzle during my downtime. It’s the ideal balance of festive relaxation and mental stimulation for a cozy afternoon.
The article’s suggestion to mix cranberry juice with Aperol ahead of time is a smart way to prep for guests while keeping the fizz fresh. For anyone planning a winter gatherings, a game like related note could be a fun way to keep the energy lively after the drinks are poured. That balance of make-ahead prep and last-minute sparkle is exactly what holiday hosting needs.
Love how the cranberry and orange combo gives this Aperol spritz a winter twist while keeping it light and bubbly. The rosemary garnish is such a nice touch for the season, and if you’re planning a cozy night in with drinks and a movie, you could pair this with something fun—maybe while you watch fmovies. Simple, festive, and perfect for sipping by the fire.
This cranberry orange aperol spritz looks so refreshing and festive! The combination of citrus and aperol is just brilliant for a holiday gathering. I recently used vidglory.com to create a quick promo video for my holiday party invitations and the AI video generation was surprisingly good. Would definitely serve this drink at my next get-together. Beautiful photos too!
This sounds like the perfect drink to sip on while watching the snow fall! The cranberry and orange combination is so festive. I’m imagining myself curled up by the fire, maybe after a long day of, well, not exactly winter sports, but perhaps intensely playing Drift Hunters online. This cocktail seems like a much more relaxing way to unwind! I’ll definitely be trying this recipe out soon. Thanks for sharing!
The drink looks so nice for the holidays. Is there measurements to make by the pitcher? I know it can’t be made way ahead of time but would help to have that if you have it.
That’s a perfect drink for the holidays. With cranberries and oranges, it’s just want I want to sip on during the weekends. So festive, so good
This looks so refreshing and beautiful. What a lovely cocktail to serve any time of year. The addition of cranberries is perfect this time of year.
1) These cocktails are GORGEOUS!
2) I need one immediately.
3) Those glasses are killer! Where did you get them?
Aw thanks so much!! The glasses were purchased on Amazon. You can find it here
Cranberry and orange is perfect together! This drink definitely does make me thirtsy!
These are so pretty! I love fruity cocktails, and I I have only just tried Aperol and loved it, so this is a must-try!
My kind of cocktail! It looks so fresh, light and delicious. I am going to make them this holiday season for sure.
This cranberry orange aperol spritz is absolutely stunning. I love how the fresh cranberries and rosemary really make this cocktail shine.
This looks amazing and sounds amazing. One of these days I won’t be pregnant so I can enjoy some nice cocktails!
This certainly is pretty and looks perfect for holiday entertaining
I made your recipe for a gathering the other day and everyone kept asking for the recipe. It was totally a hit!
This festive cocktail is perfect for the holiday season! I made this recipe to try it in advance, and it’s fabulous. Easy. Refreshing. Delicious!
Such a huge hit for any holiday party! I love the tips and tricks that go with the recipe so I can make this perfectly every time!
LOVE this drink recipe! SO tasty, and refreshing… everyone needs to try this!
This drink is beautiful, and so festive!
OH YES! This is perfect for the holidays. I love a classic aperol spritz, but I’ll def have to try this festive twist
YES! I love this! I’m a huge fan of Aperol so this is getting pinned right away! I have a girlfriend coming over Wednesday so maybe I’ll make them!