A simple recipe for a sparkling vodka cranberry cocktail, a fun twist on a classic cocktail.
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Welcome to your weekly fall cocktail fix, this week I’m combining colorful cranberries and spiked seltzer for a twist on an old standby.
This sparkling cranberry vodka cocktail is a crisp and refreshing way to enjoy fall flavors. The recipe is below, along with a video, and more fall cocktails to wet your whistle this weekend.

Cape Codder
The original classic is called a cape codder or a cape cod. This cocktail is a mix of vodka and cranberry juice and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
The drinks got it’s name from, where else, Cape Cod and was coined by the cranberry grower Ocean Spray somewhere in the middle of the last century. Coming up with a drink featuring it’s fruit was a great way to boost sales and interest.
Some other variations of the cape codder include the addition of orange juice, grapefruit juice or even simple syrup. The vodka cranberry recipe is a great base to build on.
In this cocktail, tart cranberry pairs well with vodka and a twist of lime. It’s a fruity drink you can enjoy without all the sweetness. This cocktail is one that you can enjoy year round but it works really well this time of year when cranberries are in season and in every baked good available.
If you want to make this drink outside of cranberry season, consider buying a bag of fresh berries and freezing them. Then you can pop a few frozen right into your cocktail.

This sparkling vodka cranberry is made with the addition of spiked seltzer, a drink that is bubbly with a hint of fruit and not too much sweetness. I chose a cranberry lime seltzer for this drink, but you could use any flavor out there. Anything from White Claw to Truly to Smirnoff this is definitely the canned beverage of the moment. It’s low in calories and not overly sweet, perfect for sipping year round. You could also use a regular seltzer water to cut down on the alcohol content a bit.

Sparkling Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
A refreshing twist on a favorite drink make with spiked sparkling seltzer
Ingredients
- 1 oz Vodka
- 2 oz Cranberry juice cocktail
- juice from a lime wedge
- .5 can Smirnoff spiked sparkling seltzer, cranberry lime
- cranberries and lime twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice over ice and stir. Top with sparkling seltzer and garnish with cranberries and lime twist.
- Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 138
This sparkling vodka cranberry cocktail will be on my menu for Thanksgiving. Our house is always warm when it’s full of people and simmering food. A cold refreshing cranberry cocktail will be perfect for my family to enjoy prior to our meal.
If you like this sparkling cranberry cocktail, be sure to pin it!

Now take a look at these other fall cocktails.

Autumn Harvest Rum Punch from Happy Go Lucky • Caramel Apple Cocktail from Upright and Caffeinated • Apple Cinnamon Mezcal Margarita from Our Crafty Mom • Sparkling Vodka Cranberry Cocktail Creative Ramblings • Apple Pomegranate Martini from Weekend Craft • Fireball Cinnamon Hot Chocolate from Daily DIY Life • Slow Cooker Hard Apple Cider from The Lucky Pear • Easy Fall Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe from Michelle James Designs
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