Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe With Warm Holiday Spices

Updated and republished on May 12, 2025 to include new tips

If you’re looking to add a burst of festive flavor to your favorite drinks and treats, this cranberry simple syrup recipe is the perfect seasonal touch. Infused with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, it’s easy to make and ideal for holiday entertaining, DIY gifts, or cozy winter nights at home.

What Is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water. It’s a kitchen staple because it blends seamlessly into hot and cold beverages—no gritty sugar at the bottom of your glass! The typical ratio is one part sugar to one part water, but you can use a different ratio to create something less sweet. This homemade treat is the base for countless flavor infusions like herbs, fruit, and spices.

In this recipe, we add cranberries and holiday spices to create a vibrant, flavorful syrup perfect for the season.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Syrup

• Bursting with tart-sweet cranberry flavor
• Made with just a few simple ingredients
• Infused with cozy holiday spices
• Perfect for cocktails, mocktails, or even pancakes
• Keeps well in the fridge for weeks

While December is peak season for fresh cranberries—and the best time to snag them on sale—you can enjoy this cranberry simple syrup recipe year-round by using frozen cranberries. They’re often available in the freezer aisle for under $1 per bag. I like to stock up during the holidays and keep a few bags in the freezer for later use. If you plan to use them within a year, there’s no need to prep or thaw—toss them straight into the pot!

Keep them on hand to make homemade cranberry sauce, dehydrated cranberries, and Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup.

This Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe can be bottled and refrigerated for several months, although we never have ours around for that long. I prefer to blend my cranberries ahead of time to speed up the cooking time, although it’s not necessary; you could add them whole and simmer for 15 minutes, squishing the berries as they get soft.

Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup Recipe

Yield: 12 ounces

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2.5 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Add the cranberries to a blender or food processor and combine until almost liquid. If they are frozen, add just a touch of water to help them liquefy.
2. Dissolve the sugar in the water in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the cranberry blend and spices.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and stir until it starts to thicken (about 2 minutes).
5. Remove from the heat and strain the mixture using a strainer or sheet of cheesecloth to remove the small cranberry bits.
6. Transfer to a covered jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Creative Ways to Use Cranberry Simple Syrup

Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup makes a terrific addition to warmed apple juice or cider. Just stir in a tablespoon and enjoy it. You can also mix it with seltzer water, sparkling water, or club soda for a refreshing drink.

• Mix into sparkling water for a festive mocktail
• Add to cocktails like a cranberry mule or a gin fizz
• Sweeten iced tea or lemonade with a winter twist
• Drizzle over pancakes, cheesecake, or vanilla ice cream
• Stir into hot cider or use in a holiday glaze for meats

Do you love this syrup and want to make a big batch? When increasing the recipe, keep the water and sugar proportion even – one cup of water for every cup of sugar. Preserve it by using the water bath method for 10 minutes.

How to Store It

Pour the syrup into an airtight glass container. Store in the fridge for up to 2–3 weeks. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for long-term use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen cranberries?
Yes! Just toss them into the pan straight from the freezer.

Can I use this in coffee or tea?
Absolutely! It adds a bright, slightly tart twist to both.

Is this a good gift idea?
Definitely, pour into small decorative bottles, tie with a ribbon, and add a label—instant homemade holiday gift!