Of course, most of us associate the mixture of vodka and cranberry flavors with the classic cocktail that is perfect for nearly any occasion, but these two ingredients pair well together in other recipes too. Learn more about how you can use the tart flavor of cranberry with vodka in the following four recipes. 

1. Vodka Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a staple in many households come Thanksgiving season, and many people only eat it with turkey at the end of November. That’s a shame, as cranberry sauce can add a complex and sophisticated flavor to any meal all year long, especially when you add a bit of vodka to the sauce to kick it up a notch.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup sugar

To make homemade vodka cranberry sauce, add fresh cranberries, orange juice, cinnamon, orange zest, and vodka to a pressure cooker. Cook for at least five minutes under high pressure, and let the steam naturally release for at least ten minutes. 

Add sugar to the mixture and stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. 

2. Frozen Cranberry Cosmopolitan

If you enjoy the flavors of cranberry and vodka, but you want to try a cocktail with a different consistency, look no further than the frozen cranberry cosmopolitan. You’ll need these ingredients for one serving:

• 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned)
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz orange liquor 
• 1/2 oz lemon or lime juice
• Ice

Add all of these ingredients to your blender or food processor, and blend until it achieves a smooth consistency. This drink is easy to scale up, allowing you to make several servings at once if you prefer. 

This frozen cranberry cosmopolitan is perfect for a warm summer night or post-meal cocktail, and it will delight guests with its cool and refreshing flavors. 

3. Warm Cranberry Toddy

If it’s too cold outside for a frozen drink like the one above, a warm cranberry toddy may be a better option. This drink is comforting and perfect after a day spent outside sledding, skiing, or shoveling the driveway. You’ll need these ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka (plain or your flavor of choice)
• 4 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz lemon or lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 dash bitters
• 1 dash cinnamon

Place all the ingredients, aside from vodka, in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until it begins to boil, and let it boil for about a minute. Add and incorporate the vodka, and let it heat up for a few moments. Transfer to a mug and enjoy! 

4. Cranberry and Vodka Lemon Cake

Nobody expects to find vodka in a cake recipe, but this cranberry and vodka lemon cake makes a great dessert! To fill a 9″ by 13″ pan, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tbsp melted, unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup vodka

Soak the dried cranberries in the vodka for at least an hour, but a few hours is even better. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9″ by 13″ inch pan. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, and cream of tartar into a bowl. Beat the eggs and add in the milk and melted butter. 

Combine the wet and dry ingredients, and add the strained cranberries to the bowl. Pour into your cake pan and bake for 30 minutes. 

In Conclusion

These are just a few of the hundreds of recipes that can combine cranberries and vodka. Don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen and create your own concoctions!