Cranberry Syrup Recipe

Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by becky

A homemade cranberry syrup recipe made with fresh cranberries and granulated sugar. Ideal for flavoring cocktails, mocktails, and Christmas punch!

Why Make This Cranberry Syrup Recipe?

I love any and all things cranberry, especially during the festive season. As I wrote when I published my cranberry curd tart recipe, I enjoy working these vibrant red berries into parfaits, muffins, and jelly candies, or even pairing them with less traditional ingredients, like chocolate and cheese.

One of my all-time favorite beverages is a classic vodka cranberry (or a cranberry and ginger ale at home) sweetened with a splash of cranberry simple syrup. While brands like Monin do sell commercially-made cranberry cocktail syrups, they’re often expensive or difficult to find. I find it much easier to make my own at home.

This cranberry syrup recipe only requires three ingredients (and one of them is water!) and a little bit of time: You’ll need 30 minutes or so for the cranberries to simmer on the stovetop, and another hour to steep the mixture before straining.

This simple syrup keeps well in the fridge for weeks or even months, so you can repurpose those cranberries left over from seasonal baking, and continue to enjoy them well into the new year.

Cranberry Simple Syrup Ingredients

To make this cranberry syrup, you’ll need the following (plus water!):

• Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar forms the base for the simple syrup. If substituting caster sugar, use a kitchen scale to measure by weight rather than volume.
• Cranberries – Fresh or frozen cranberries both work nicely. You’ll probably have plenty of berries left over, so save them to make cranberry bread, cranberry compote, a cranberry curd tart, cranberry crumble, or sugared cranberries to garnish your seasonal bakes or float in a cranberry simmer pot or a bowl of festive cranberry punch.

Using Cranberry Syrup for Drinks

This cranberry syrup works perfectly for sweetening a festive cranberry punch, or other seasonal beverages like a cranberry margarita, cranberry gin & tonic, or cranberry champagne cocktail. (All garnished with a few sprigs of sugared rosemary or skewer of dried orange slices and homemade sugared cranberries, of course!)

You can also stir it into non-alcoholic beverages like ginger ale, club soda, or sparkling water, or replace the rhubarb syrup in this lemonade recipe. I also enjoy this cranberry syrup in a cup of hot tea, or a mug of homemade hot chocolate.

Other Ways to Use Homemade Cranberry Syrup

Try this cranberry simple syrup as a soaking syrup for moistening cakes, cupcakes, or cranberry muffins; make salad dressings; create flavored ice cubes (or an ice ring) for beverages; or make a cranberry lemon granita or mixed berry sorbet.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

After cooling, pour syrup into an airtight jar or container for storage. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Other cranberry recipes you might enjoy:

Sugared Cranberries
Festive Cranberry Jelly Candies
Cranberry Curd Tart with Gingersnap Crust
Cranberry Compote
Brie and Cranberry Brownies
Mini Cranberry Hand Pies

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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