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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Blushin' Russian (Cranberry Cocktail & Mocktail)

    December 30, 2016 • Updated: September 15, 2022 • by Renée B. • This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    Tall glass in the snow, filled with a bi-colored beverage: white on top, and red on the bottom. Pin text overlay reads: Blushin' Russian | Holiday cocktail & kid-friendly mocktail.

    A refreshing, festive cranberry cocktail for all your winter celebrations, a Blushin' Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian soda.

    Tall glass in the snow, filled with a bi-colored beverage: white on top, and red on the bottom.
    Jump to:
    • What is a Blushin' Russian?
    • What Goes into this Recipe
    • How to Mix a Blushin' Russian
    • FAQs & Expert Tips
    • More Cranberry Recipes
    • Blushin' Russian (Cranberry Cocktail & Mocktail)

    What is a Blushin' Russian?

    A Blushin' Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian soda. This stunning holiday cocktail is easy to fix and makes a dreamy, creamy, festive addition to any winter celebration. Our own unique concoction, the Blushin' Russian was created expressly with our spiced simple syrup in mind, but you can make it with plain simple syrup as well.

    Mocktail Version: Because each cocktail is created individually, it is easy to mix it as a mocktail, so everyone can enjoy one. Simply omit the vodka for a refreshing, kid-friendly version! 

    What Goes into this Recipe

    Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

    ★ Cranberry ginger ale: Canada Dry and Schwepps both make a cranberry ginger ale. It can sometimes be difficult to find in August, but it is almost always stocked during the holiday season.

    If you can't find cranberry ginger ale, you can use 6 ounces of regular ginger ale and 1 ounce of cranberry juice. (This ginger ale + cranberry juice solution is actually what we do most often.)

    ★ Half-and-half: You can use heavy cream, but we prefer to use half-and-half for a lighter drink.

    ★ Spiced simple syrup: This ginger-forward homemade simple syrup is so versatile and delicious! You can use plain simple syrup, but the cocktail won't be as gingery.

    You can also use a plain simple syrup, paired with a high-quality, strongly flavor ginger ale in place of the cranberry ginger ale. (We like Reed's Extra-Ginger Beer) In this case, add 1-2 tablespoons of cranberry juice to the mix.

    How to Mix a Blushin' Russian

    Spiced Simple Syrup

    In a small saucepan, heat ½-cup sugar, ½-cup water, cinnamon sticks, star anise, sliced ginger, and whole cloves over medium until it comes to a boil.

    Reduce heat to low-low and barely simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil.

    Remove syrup from heat, and use a small wire sieve to remove solids.

    Mixed Drink

    Fill a tall glass tumbler with ice. Pour cranberry ginger ale, vodka, and simple syrup into the glass and stir gently to mix.

    Slowly pour in half-and-half, allowing it to flow gently into the glass.

    Garnish with mint leaves and Spiced Sugared Cranberries and serve immediately.

    For a non-alcoholic, kid-friendly mocktail, simply omit to vodka.

    Cocktail in a tall glass, sitting in the snow. A small felt mouse, dressed in traveling gear, stands at the bottom of the glass looking up.

    FAQs & Expert Tips

    Easy Cranberry Cocktail Garnish

    Garnish your Blushin' Russians (and Cranberry Moscow Mules) with some easy-to-make, snackable Spiced Sugared Cranberries!

    Overhead shot of cream and ice in a glass, garnished with mint and cranberries.

    More Cranberry Recipes

    • Cranberry Orange Pearl Couscous
    • Cranberry Crumb Sourdough Coffee Cake
    • Spiced Cranberry Mule
    • Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce

    For more recipes and cozy living tips, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for all of the latest updates.

    Cocktail in a tall glass, sitting in the snow. A small felt mouse, dressed in traveling gear, stands at the bottom of the glass looking up.

    Blushin' Russian (Cranberry Cocktail & Mocktail)

    A refreshing, festive cranberry cocktail for all your winter celebrations, a Blushin' Russian is a beautiful twist on a traditional Italian soda.
    Print Pin Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    Course: Beverages, Cocktail
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time:5 minutes
    Total Time:5 minutes
    Servings: 1 drink
    Calories: 325kcal
    Author: Renee
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 tall glass

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    Spiced Simple Syrup
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 4-inch cinnamon stick
    • 1 whole star anise
    • 1 inch fresh ginger thinly sliced
    • 4 whole allspice
    • 4 whole cloves
    Mule
    • ice
    • 6 ounces cranberry ginger ale available seasonally
    • 1½ ounces spiced simple syrup
    • 1½ ounces vodka Omit for Mocktail
    • 1½ ounces half-and-half or heavy cream

    Instructions

    Spiced Simple Syrup

    • In a small saucepan, heat ½-cup sugar, ½-cup water, cinnamon sticks, star anise, sliced ginger, and whole cloves over medium until it comes to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to low-low and barely simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil.
    • Remove syrup from heat, and use a small wire sieve to remove solids.

    Mix

    • Fill a tall glass tumbler with ice. Pour cranberry ginger ale, vodka, and simple syrup into glass. Stir gently to mix.
      Omit vodka for non-alcoholic, kid-friendly mocktail.
    • Slowly pour in half-and-half.
    • Garnish with fresh mint leaves and Spiced Sugared Cranberries. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Spiced Simple Syrup
    The spiced simple syrup recipe makes enough syrup for about 3 drinks. If you anticipate needing more, use a sugar to water ratio of 1:1, and additional spices for each cup of water you add to the mix. (i.e., A triple batch would have 1½ cups each sugar and water, plus 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise, 2 inches of ginger, etc.)
    You can also use a plain simple syrup, paired with a high-quality, strongly flavor ginger ale. 
    Simple syrup will keep up to three weeks in the refrigerator.
    Cranberry ginger ale
    If you can't find cranberry ginger ale, you can use 6 ounces of regular ginger ale and 1 ounce of cranberry juice. (This ginger ale + cranberry juice solution is actually what we do most often.)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 85mg | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 151IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

    More Beverages

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    • Peachy Pumpkin Smoothie
    • Easy 'Otai (Polynesian Watermelon Drink)
    • Curl Up with a Cup of Russian Tea
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    About Renée B.

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Jill Silverman Hough says

      January 02, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      Yum! I've been thinking about black and white Russians lately because I happen to have both vodka and kahlua in the cupboard--but this blushin' version has me intrigued--cool twist! Pinned!

      Reply
    2. April says

      December 30, 2016 at 11:25 pm

      Interesting.. Where do you find cranberry ginger ale in Portland?

      Reply
    3. Catherine @ Ten Thousand Hour Mama says

      December 30, 2016 at 6:43 pm

      Those pictures are so cute! I love the little mouse. 🙂 Happy New Year Renee!

      Reply
    4. Jenni says

      December 30, 2016 at 1:56 pm

      YUM. I love a good creme soda and this sounds like a delightful cocktail version of it. I love your photos and the sugared cranberries!

      Reply
    5. Mary says

      December 30, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      What a fun and festive sounding drink! I love that you included a non-alcoholic version. I'm "that" mom and only give my kids water or milk to drink most days, but this NYE I really want to surprise them with a festive and beautiful drink just for them, as well as an adult version for the hubby and I. I think we'll give this one a whirl!

      Reply

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