This cranberry spritz is a festive riff on the classic hugo spritz. Made with elderflower liqueur, apple cider, cranberry juice, and prosecco, it has a bright, bubbly, and perfectly balanced flavor that’s ideal for the holiday season. Made in just 3 minutes and right in one glass, it’s an easy cocktail for entertaining at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering.

If you love a spritz that incorporates elderflower liqueur, you’ll also want to try my Autumn Hugo Spritz and Elderflower Grapefruit Spritz.

Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz cocktail served in a tall glass and decorated with cranberry, apples, and rosemary garnish on a decorative holiday setting.

Quick Look: Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz (Holiday Cocktail)

  • ⏱ Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • ⏳ Total Time: 3 minutes
  • 🍽️ Servings: 1 cocktail
  • 🍎 Flavor Profile: Tart, fruity, crisp, floral, bubbly
  • 👌 Difficulty: Easy, perfect for holiday parties

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The holiday season is officially upon us and I couldn’t be more excited to indulge in all of the cozy, festive flavors that come with it. Something about this time of year always makes me feel warm and nostalgic inside, so I love trying to resemble those feelings in my recipes as well. 

This cocktail perfectly embraces the essence of fall and winter, and it even looks and tastes a lot more impressive than it is to make. Tart cranberry, crisp apple cider, floral elderflower, and plenty of bubbles come together in a holiday spritz that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving table or during a Christmas get-together. And since it comes together right in the glass, it’s the best for those nights when you want a fun, festive drink without playing bartender all evening.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It only takes 3 minutes: Everything is built directly in the wine glass – no shaker required.
  • Perfectly festive without being too sweet: Tart cranberry juice balances the apple cider and floral elderflower liqueur.
  • Made for holiday entertaining: Easy to make individually or scale up for guests.
  • It looks gorgeous in a wine glass: Cranberries, apple slices, and sugared rosemary make it feel extra celebratory. 

Key Ingredients

See the recipe card for quantities.

  • Elderflower liqueur: St-Germain adds a light, floral sweetness that pairs so nicely with both apple and cranberry.
  • Apple cider: Use a good-quality 100% juice apple cider (like North Coast) for the best fresh apple flavor. Avoid overly sweet apple juice/cider if possible.
  • Unsweetened cranberry juice: Gives the spritz its vibrant color and tart cranberry flavor. Since unsweetened cranberry juice is quite tart, it helps balance the sweeter ingredients. I used Open Nature’s. 
  • Prosecco: Adds the bubbles and keeps the cocktail light and refreshing – La Marca is a great option.

🍎 Ingredient tip: If using sweetened cranberry juice instead of unsweetened, reduce the amount of apple cider slightly so the drink doesn’t become too sweet.

Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz cocktail served in a tall glass and decorated with cranberry, apples, and rosemary garnish on a decorative holiday setting.
The Social Sipper festive cocktail with cranberry, apples, and rosemary garnish on a decorative holiday setting.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Swap juices: Swap cranberry juice for pomegranate juice or tart cherry juice for a similarly tart, festive variation.
  • Use sweetened cranberry juice: This works, but reduce the apple cider slightly to compensate for the additional sweetness.
  • Make it less boozy: Swap the prosecco for sparkling water.
  • Make a larger batch: Combine the elderflower liqueur, apple cider, and cranberry juice in a pitcher shortly before serving, then add prosecco when you’re ready to serve so the bubbles stay fresh.

How to Make Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz (Holiday Cocktail)

Step 1: Fill the glass with ice

Fill a wine glass generously with ice. A large wine glass works especially well for spritzes and gives you plenty of room for the ingredients and garnish.

Step 2: Add the apple, cranberry and elderflower

Add the elderflower liqueur, apple cider, and unsweetened cranberry juice directly to the glass using a jigger. 

Step 3: Top with prosecco

Slowly pour in the prosecco and gently stir with a bar spoon to combine without losing too much carbonation.

Step 4: Garnish and serve 

Garnish with an apple slice, a few fresh cranberries, and sugared rosemary if desired.

Carolyn’s Tips for Making Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz (Holiday Cocktail)

  • Use unsweetened cranberry juice: For the best balance of tart and sweet. If using sweetened cranberry juice, reduce the apple cider to prevent the cocktail from becoming too sweet.
  • Chill the prosecco and apple cider ahead of time: So the cocktail stays cold without needing as much ice or melting the ice too quickly. 
  • Prep ahead for a large batch: For a party, prep the apple cider, cranberry juice, and elderflower liqueur ahead of time in a pitcher and store in the fridge. Then add the prosecco last when ready to serve. 
  • Make it a mocktail: Swap the elderflower liqueur for an elderflower syrup or non-alcoholic elderflower alternative and use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water.

Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz (Holiday Cocktail) FAQs

What is a cranberry spritz?

A cranberry spritz is a bubbly cocktail made with cranberry juice, a sparkling ingredient such as prosecco or sparkling wine, and additional liqueurs, spirits, or fruit flavors. This Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz combines cranberry juice with apple cider and elderflower liqueur for a festive seasonal variation.

What alcohol goes well with cranberry juice in a spritz?

Cranberry juice pairs well with vodka, Aperol, elderflower liqueur, gin, and sparkling wine or prosecco. In this recipe, elderflower liqueur adds floral sweetness that balances the tart cranberry and crisp apple cider.

Is a cranberry spritz sweet?

It depends on the cranberry juice and other ingredients used. Unsweetened cranberry juice gives this Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz a tart flavor that balances the sweeter apple cider elderflower liqueur.

Can you make an Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz without alcohol?

Yes. Replace the elderflower liqueur with a non-alcoholic elderflower alternative or elderflower syrup and use non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water in place of prosecco.

More Festive Spritzes to Try

⭐ If you loved this recipe, I would SO appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review below. Also, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me @thesocialsipper!

Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz cocktail served in a tall glass and decorated with cranberry, apples, and rosemary garnish on a decorative holiday setting.
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Apple Cranberry Hugo Spritz (Holiday Cocktail)

Servings: 1
Prep: 3 minutes
This cranberry spritz is a festive riff on the classic hugo spritz. Made with elderflower liqueur, apple cider, cranberry juice, and prosecco, it has a bright, bubbly, and perfectly balanced flavor that’s ideal for the holiday season. Made in just 3 minutes and right in one glass, it’s an easy cocktail for entertaining at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz elderflower liqueur, like St-Germain
  • 2 oz apple cider
  • 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 4-5 oz prosecco
  • Apple slice, cranberries and sugared rosemary, for garnish

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Fill a wine glass with ice. Add elderflower liqueur, apple cider, and cranberry juice.
  • Top with prosecco and stir to combine.
  • If desired, garnish with an apple slice, cranberries, and sugared rosemary.

Notes

  • Use unsweetened cranberry juice: For the best balance of tart and sweet. If using sweetened cranberry juice, reduce the apple cider to prevent the cocktail from becoming too sweet.
  • Chill the prosecco and apple cider ahead of time: So the cocktail stays cold without needing as much ice or melting the ice too quickly.
  • Prep ahead for a large batch: For a party, prep the apple cider, cranberry juice, and elderflower liqueur ahead of time in a pitcher and store in the fridge. Then add the prosecco last when ready to serve.
  • Make it a mocktail: Swap the elderflower liqueur for an elderflower syrup or non-alcoholic elderflower alternative and use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling water.
Did you Make this Recipe?Let me know what you think in the comments below, or tag @thesocialsipper on Instagram!