I’ve never been a big fan of cocktails due to how sweet most of them are made. The only thing worse than a hangover is an alcohol and sugar hangover, don’t you think? I’ve had a few bad experiences in my younger years drinking those cheap, 2-litre bottles of sickly sweet coolers. The thought of drinking something so sugary now makes me a bit queasy. Since I’ve become more sensible in my years (or at least my mom says so), I now enjoy coming up with cocktail recipes that aren’t loaded with sugar and other junk. My go-to drink is usually a vodka soda with lime and sometimes a splash of cranberry juice. Simple, yet flavourful. It just lights up a room!
All without a lick of food dye. Best of all, it takes seconds to throw together. Thankfully, you don’t have to make a simple syrup for this cocktail, so you can get back to the party and out of the kitchen. If you’re like me and you usually leave the drinks to the last minute, you’ll appreciate how easy this comes together without anyone being the wiser.
Sparkling Cranberry Lime Cocktail
Yield
1 (16-ounce) glass
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Festive, low in sugar, and super quick to throw together, this is a great last-minute holiday drink option for a party! Often referred to as a "Cape Codder", this mix of cranberry + lime + vodka is sure to please the folks who aren't crazy about sweet drinks. I love adding club soda instead of using all cranberry juice to give it a bit more bite and a pretty sparkle. The recipe below makes one large (16-ounce) glass, so feel free to increase the servings as you see fit. This cocktail comes in at under 100 calories and just 6 grams of sugar (or, if you omit the agave, only 3.5 grams of sugar).
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka (about 2 tablespoons)
- handful fresh cranberries (or thaw frozen)
- 2-3 lime slices
- ice
- 1/4 cup 100% pure unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 cup club soda
- Agave nectar or other liquid sweetener, to taste (I use 1 teaspoon agave)
Directions
- Add the vodka into a 16-ounce tall glass. Now add a handful of cranberries and a couple lime slices. Add the ice on top.
- Pour in the cranberry juice followed by the club soda.
- Add a squeeze of lime juice (if desired) and agave to taste. Stir to combine.
- Enjoy immediately!
Tip:
Note: 1) For a mocktail, simply omit the vodka and add a couple extra tbsp of cranberry juice. 2) For a fun variation, try pomegranate juice + arils instead of cranberry juice and cranberries.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Our first snowfall of the season arrived just in time for my photo shoot earlier this week. What luck. Mind you, I almost bailed on the wet snow while desperately clutching my camera for dear life, but that serves me right for going on the deck in my slippers. I’ll never learn.
Have a great weekend!
oooh I love me a cocktail and ones with cranberry and vodka are my favourite. Such lovely photography and colours and yes, tart is always better than super sweet.
This is my go to cocktail too! I usually use rum or rye, the later of which is a bit odd but I like it! I love this drink because I can water it down a lot with sparkling water which makes me drink more water. As you’ve shown it is also pretty!
This looks amazing and the perfect holiday cocktail! I love that it does not contain a ton of sugar! I miss the Canadian snow – send some to Belgium! :D
I used to love sweet drinks too, but now they just make me pucker. I tend to go for red wine these days, but this is a cocktail I could definitely see myself drinking!
Cocktails in restaurants and bars are always too sweet! But I do like to make cocktails on my own, it is always so much better. This one must be delicious, I love tart cranberry juice!
Beautiful! I’m not a cranberry drink fan but this one you make look so pretty that I want to make it anyways!
This is a beautiful holiday cocktail Angela! I too love the last photo, gorgeous!
We tried this recipe and it tastes great! But of course without the alcohol since we don’t drink. Check out therawfoodcouple.com or facebook.com/therawfoodcouple for more recipes.
What a beautiful set up! Super festive :-)
This is my go-to cocktail too! Vodka, soda, and a splash of lime juice. I like to add cranberry when it’s around or even orange juice. Beautiful photos!
Yummy! Easy and fun!
This cocktail looks absolutely yum! Can’t wait to try it! Love Poms and may try that variation first!!! B-)
unreal, made them for my xmas party ant it was a huge hit!
So pretty, I love adding fresh cranberry, it’s the perfect finishing touch!
What a fun drink! I am looking forward to trying it —and searching for some unsweetened cranberry juice! Gorgeous photos too Angela!
BTW – I made your kale salad for thanksgiving – it was delicious! I have some of the lentil/mushroom balls in the freezer from last time I made them (the day you posted I think!) and cannot wait to eat them again on Wednesday for dinner :-)
This looks amazing…and I have everything needed to make this at home. Boo…come on 5pm!!! :P
This would have been perfect for Thanksgiving! I will definitely have to make these for Christmas. Would you substitute to make it sweeter?
I love how festive this cocktail looks. It’s perfect for the holidays.
I absolutely love your website! I just started to eat on the vegetarian and vegan side and you inspire me to change my life every time I come on your website! I am looking forward to all the apple cider and Christmas cookies that are served, however I would love some cute Christmas cookie options that are vegan.
Hi Angela – I tried this cocktail when family came over on the weekend. We used gin instead of vodka, and it made it even more of a holiday drink. It was delicious and as you said, not too sweet. It will definitely be a hit over the holidays :)