This cranberry mojito swaps fresh cranberries for cranberry sauce and cranberry juice, which solves a real problem: raw cranberries are too hard and too tart to muddle into a decent drink. The result is a well-balanced cocktail that comes together in five minutes with ingredients you likely already have on hand during the holidays — or any time of year.
Smart swaps
- Cranberry sauce: Canned whole-berry or jellied sauce both work. Homemade is great if you have it. Avoid cranberry relish with chunks of orange peel — it muddies the flavor.
- Simple syrup: Equal parts sugar and water, stirred until dissolved. No need to buy a bottle — it takes two minutes to make. Check out our simple syrup guide if you want a quick walkthrough.
- Rum: White rum is the standard here. Dark rum will work but shifts the flavor toward molasses, which competes with the cranberry.
- Club soda: Plain sparkling water is a fine substitute. Avoid tonic — it adds bitterness you don’t want.
Before you start
Muddling mint is the one step worth doing carefully. The goal is to bruise the leaves just enough to release their oils — you’ll smell them when it’s working. Press and twist gently a few times; don’t shred the leaves into bits. Over-muddled mint turns bitter and leaves green flecks throughout the drink. Also, add the lime juice to the glass before you muddle — the acid helps pull the flavor from the mint and keeps the leaves from tearing. Skip the garnish — not worth the extra dish when the mint is already in the glass.
If something goes sideways
- The cranberry sauce won’t stir in: If it’s cold and stiff straight from the fridge, it clumps. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, or stir it briefly in a small bowl before adding it to the glass.
- The drink tastes too tart: Add a small extra splash of simple syrup, half a teaspoon at a time. The sweetness of cranberry sauce varies by brand, so adjust after you stir everything together.
- The drink tastes flat or weak: Check that your club soda is fresh — an open bottle that’s been sitting loses its fizz fast. Pour the soda in last and don’t stir after adding it, or you’ll knock out the carbonation.
- Mint bits are floating everywhere: You over-muddled. Next time, use fewer strokes and less pressure. For this glass, just strain the drink through a fine mesh strainer into a fresh glass over ice.
- It’s too sweet: A small squeeze of extra lime juice (just a few drops) will cut through the sweetness without changing the overall flavor profile.
Cranberry Mojito with Cranberry Sauce & Fresh Mint
Equipment
- Tall highball glass (12-16 oz)
- Muddler or wooden spoon
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Bar spoon or long-handled spoon
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum 60ml
- 2 ounces cranberry juice 60ml
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup 1/2 oz / 15ml
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 15ml, about half a lime
- 5 fresh mint leaves plus extra for garnish
- ⅓ cup club soda 80ml
- 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce 20g, whole-berry or jellied
- ice enough to fill the glass
Instructions
- If using homemade cranberry sauce, prepare it in advance and let it cool completely before using. If using store-bought, measure out 1 tablespoon (20g) and set aside.1 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- Place mint leaves in the bottom of a tall glass. Add the lime juice. Gently crush the mint using the end of a wooden spoon or muddler.5 fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the white rum, cranberry juice, and simple syrup.ice, 2 ounces white rum, 2 ounces cranberry juice, 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- Stir in a spoonful of cranberry sauce.1 tablespoon cranberry sauce
- Top with club soda and give the drink one gentle stir to combine without losing carbonation. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf.1/3 cup club soda, 5 fresh mint leaves
Notes
Nutrition
Your questions, answered
Can I make a batch of these ahead of time for a party?
Yes, but leave the club soda out until you’re ready to serve. Mix the rum, cranberry juice, simple syrup, lime juice, and cranberry sauce in a pitcher and refrigerate — then pour over ice and top each glass with soda to order.
Do I need a muddler, or can I use something else?
A muddler is helpful but not required. The handle end of a wooden spoon works just as well for five mint leaves in a tall glass. Just make sure whatever you use is clean and sturdy enough to press down firmly without slipping.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version?
Yes — replace the rum with an equal amount of additional cranberry juice or a splash of white grape juice. The drink will be a little sweeter, so you may want to reduce the simple syrup by half and add a bit more lime juice to keep it balanced.
Try these next
- Homemade Classic Cranberry Sauce
- How to make simple syrup
- The Perfect Aperol Spritz
- Creamy Cinnamon Horchata
