This cocktail is as easy-going as it gets, with just a few ingredients in a refreshing, yet unique highball. I like this drink no matter the season, but the combination of aquavit and cranberry especially shines during the holidays.
What is aquavit?
Aquavit is a traditional Scandinavian spirit that is distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with a herbs and spices, the most prominent being caraway seeds. Caraway lends the spirit an anise or fennel-like flavor.
Some other common botanicals are fennel, dill, citrus, and cumin seed. It has a long history in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and is often enjoyed as a part of festive meals, special occasions, and for toasting. Learn more about aquavit over on Liquor.com.
How to use aquavit in cocktails
Aquavit has a bold and aromatic flavor, making it a unique spirit that works surprisingly well in a variety of cocktails. It's great in a variation on the Bloody Mary (replacing the vodka) because of its savory quality, and it makes for a wonderfully herbal Martini (replacing the gin).
In addition to savory drinks, aquavit is great with citrus and vegetal flavors, like grapefruit or cucumber. Some of my favorite aquavit cocktails are:
Cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
The term "cranberry juice" can mean a few things, so let's clarify the different types.
First, there is pure cranberry juice, which is very potent, very tart, and not sweetened at all. It's a deep red juice that is quite acidic.
Next, there's cranberry juice cocktail, which is a blend of water, cranberry juice, and either other juices or some kind of sweetener. This is the most common type of cranberry juice in the United States, and what most people think of when they see cranberry juice in a recipe.
Lastly, there's the ever confusing "100% juice cranberry juice." This is much like the cranberry juice cocktail above, except that it does not contain water or sweeteners. Instead, its a mix of juices, and cranberry is one of them.
For this recipe, we're talking about cranberry juice cocktail or a 100% juice blend, however, you can use a pure cranberry if you prefer. If using pure cranberry, you'll want to scale it down to just ½ - 1 ounce and skip the lime juice.
Choosing a tonic water
When making a spirit plus tonic drink, it's important to use a quality tonic water. High quality tonics like those from Fever-Tree and Q Mixers will vastly improve the flavor of your drink and prevent it from tasting overly sweet or syrupy.
My favorite is the Fever-Tree Light Tonic Water, which is made with less sugar and is very refreshing.
How to garnish
Because of the simplicity of the recipe, a good aromatic garnish can go a long way here. I like to use a sprig of fresh mint and a fresh or dehydrated lime wheel for their crisp, fresh aroma.
Other great ingredients for tonic-based mixed drinks include a citrus twist, other fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, and fresh berries.
You may also enjoy these other cranberry cocktails:
- Cranberry Campari Spritz (Easy Christmas Cocktail)
- Cranberry Christmas Morning Mimosas
- How to Make the Perfect Cosmopolitan
- White Winter Cosmopolitan
- Winter Sea Breeze
Cranberry Aquavit & Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 oz aquavit
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4-6 oz Tonic water
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour aquavit, cranberry juice, and lime juice over ice.
- Top with chilled tonic water (I prefer Q Drinks and Fever-Tree).
- Stir gently and garnish with lime and a sprig of mint.
