Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer: Your Must-Have Festive Drink

This spritzer became a holiday tradition the very first winter I hosted friends from out of town. I wanted something bright and festive that didn’t require hours of prep or a serious bartending skillset, and this combination of orange, cranberry and a lift of ginger ale delivered exactly that. It pours a vibrant, jewel-toned punch that smells like citrus groves and pine when you tuck a rosemary sprig into the glass. The balance of sweet orange, tart cranberry and effervescent ginger ale is enlivened by fresh lemon juice and a touch of maraschino cherry syrup — it’s light, refreshing and just tipsy enough to keep conversation warm without overpowering the palate.

I discovered how well the components sing together during a busy December potluck. I mixed a double batch in a simple clear pitcher and watched guests gravitate toward it — partly for the color, partly for the sprigs of rosemary that smelled seasonal, and partly for the ease of sipping. For non-drinkers I simply swapped vodka for extra ginger ale and sparkling water, and the mocktail was equally adored. The result is a crowd-pleasing, low-effort beverage that elevates any holiday table and travels well between kitchen and living room when guests are grazing and mingling.

Ingredients

• Orange juice (2 cups): Use freshly squeezed if possible for the brightest citrus flavor; otherwise choose a high-quality refrigerated brand instead of concentrate — it adds juicy body and natural sweetness.
• Cranberry juice (2 cups): Pick 100% cranberry juice without added sugar for authentic tartness and that ruby-red holiday color; if too tart, a touch more orange juice softens it.
• Ginger ale (2 cups): Provides lift and a gentle spice note; classic brands or a premium ginger ale work well. Substitute 7UP or Sprite for a milder citrus fizz.
• Vodka (1 cup): Optional — a clean, neutral vodka keeps the drink light. For a non-alcoholic version simply replace with additional ginger ale or sparkling water.
• Maraschino cherry juice (1/2 cup): Adds a glossy sweetness and aroma reminiscent of retro cocktails; you can use the syrup from quality jarred maraschino cherries.
• Juice of 1 large lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice sharpens the flavors and prevents the mixture from tasting flat; bottled lemon juice won’t be as bright.
• Garnish: Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs to add festive color and an herbal aroma — optional but highly recommended.

Instructions

Combine the base: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, pour in the chilled orange juice, cranberry juice and maraschino cherry juice. Use a clear glass vessel if you have one so the color can glow — aim for a smooth pour to avoid splashing. Stir gently to integrate the juices, which creates the foundational balance between sweet and tart. Add spirit and citrus: Measure and pour the vodka into the juice mixture if using. Immediately squeeze the juice of one large lemon through a fine mesh to catch pips; the lemon brightens and lifts the combined juices and balances sweetness. Taste at this stage and adjust lemon or cherry syrup to achieve a pleasant tart-sweet equilibrium. Chill and finish with fizz: Keep the juice-and-spirit mixture cold for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Just before serving, gently fold in the chilled ginger ale to preserve carbonation — do not stir vigorously. If you prepare the base earlier in the day, add the ginger ale and ice just before pouring into glasses to maintain effervescence. Serve and garnish: Fill glasses with ice, pour the spritzer so that bubbles rise pleasingly, and garnish each glass with a few cranberries or a single maraschino cherry plus a small rosemary sprig. The rosemary adds an aromatic top note and makes for an elegant presentation.

Storage Tips

To preserve texture and flavor, store the juice-and-spirit base in the refrigerator in a sealed pitcher or a food-safe jug with a lid. Keep the ginger ale and any sparkling water separate until serving to maintain maximum effervescence. Refrigerated, the mixed (non-fizzy) base will stay fresh for up to 48 hours; beyond that the citrus notes begin to dull. For longer storage, freeze the base (without ginger ale) in a freezer-safe container for up to one month. When reheating or serving from cold, give the thawed base a stir and add chilled ginger ale right before pouring over ice to restore the bubbly lift.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer less sweetness, substitute half the orange juice with unsweetened sparkling water and reduce maraschino syrup. For a deeper berry profile, use a blend of cranberry and pomegranate juice at a 3:1 ratio of cranberry to pomegranate; pomegranate is richer and slightly less tart. To make the spritzer non-alcoholic, replace vodka with extra ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda and add a splash of non-alcoholic bitters for complexity. If maraschino syrup is unavailable, reduce simple syrup to taste and add a teaspoon of cherry preserves for color and aroma.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the spritzer in coupe glasses for an elegant holiday presentation or in tall Collins glasses for a casual gathering. Pair with savory finger foods like roasted nuts, spiced meatballs, or a smoked salmon platter — the citrus and cranberries brighten rich bites. For a brunch setting, accompany with mini quiches or smoked salmon bagels. Garnish ideas include a citrus twist, a sugared cranberry rim, or a single maraschino cherry perched on a rosemary sprig for rustic charm.

Cultural Background

While not rooted in one traditional cuisine, this kind of fruity, fizzy punch draws on long-standing holiday practices of communal punches and spiced drinks served during winter celebrations. Cranberry is a North American winter staple — often associated with Thanksgiving and winter preserves — while rosemary adds evergreen aromatics reminiscent of European winter herb usage. The combination of citrus and sparkling soda nods to mid-20th century cocktail culture where bottled syrups and canned sodas began to influence home entertaining.

Seasonal Adaptations

In winter, accentuate the drink with warming spices such as a cinnamon stick submerged briefly in the pitcher or a pinch of ground allspice for a subtle holiday edge. For summer gatherings, replace ginger ale with chilled tonic or prosecco and reduce the cherry syrup for a lighter finish. For New Year’s celebrations, swap vodka for prosecco for a bubbly alcoholic option that’s celebratory and elegant.

Meal Prep Tips

Prepare the juice-and-vodka base up to 48 hours ahead and keep chilled. Store garnishes separately: cranberries in a small bowl and rosemary sprigs wrapped lightly in a damp paper towel in the fridge. Just before guests arrive, combine the base with ginger ale in batches and ladle into an ice-filled pitcher for self-serve. If you’re transporting the drink to a party, carry the non-fizzy base in a sealed thermos and add ginger ale on-site to avoid flatness.

This spritzer is a joyful, flexible addition to holiday hosting — easy to scale, decorative to present and forgiving to prepare. Whether served as a signature cocktail or a show-stopping mocktail, it invites guests to linger and enjoy the season.