Cranberry Simple Syrup

Sweet, tart Cranberry Simple Syrup – made with just 3 ingredients! This syrup is super easy to make and adds delicious cranberry flavor to any of your favorite drinks!

Let me just say this: If you’re not already making your own flavored simple syrups, this is your cue to start. Not only because they’re fun and delicious and the perfect way to jazz up literally ANY drink… but because they’re just so easy to make!

And I would know. I’ve made countless flavors – from honey simple syrup to cinnamon simple syrup to rosemary simple syrup and more. They all take less than 5 minutes to make and they all add a deliciously distinctive flavor to whatever you add them to.

Since cranberries are a holiday staple, this Cranberry Simple Syrup is one of my favorite ways to add a fun holiday twist to cocktails, mocktails, sparkling water, or a special holiday punch. And best of all… the cranberries can be used in the drinks, as well! (Cranberry Old Fashioned with muddled cranberries, anyone?)

what you’ll need for this recipe

Cranberries – Fresh cranberries add delicious cranberry flavor to this recipe. I used 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries. Substitute frozen if you can’t find fresh.

Sugar – Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the syrup and balances out the tartness of the cranberries. I used 1 cup granulated sugar.

Water – I combined the sugar with 1 cup water, which is the liquid used in simple syrup.

how to make cranberry simple syrup

Step 1: Combine the water, sugar, and cranberries in a saucepan. Stir and bring to a boil.

Step 2: Boil until cranberries begin to pop. Continue boiling for 1-2 minutes, until syrup turns deep pink. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside to cool.

Step 3: Strain simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer, reserving the cranberries. Store the simple syrup and the cranberries separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator.