This cranberry cobbler smash is a must for your Thanksgiving spread.
Imagine cobbler in a glass: warming, spiced cinnamon cranberry cobbler served over crushed ice. It’s cozy, bright, and utterly delicious.
While I usually stick to make-ahead punches or sangrias for Thanksgiving—because guests can help themselves and you can prep in advance—this cranberry cobbler smash deserves a special spot on the menu. It’s an exception worth making.
Do this: make the cinnamon simple syrup ahead of time. It’s similar to the syrup I use in my cranberry cider punch but with lighter spice notes. Prepare a batch and keep it chilled in the fridge so you can assemble drinks quickly when guests arrive.
Set up a small drink station—bar cart, table, or even your counter—with a bottle of bourbon, seltzer on ice, a pitcher of syrup, and a jug of cranberry juice. Guests can mix their own drinks, which makes everything easier and more fun.
Everyone can go to town.
Yes—you included. Let guests build their drinks to taste: a little more bourbon for warmth, extra syrup for sweetness, or more seltzer for a lighter finish.
This cocktail is a refreshing break from punch—individual, festive, and perfectly aligned with Thanksgiving flavors. The cinnamon and tart cranberry play beautifully together and complement traditional holiday dishes, so consider it an ideal pairing for the big meal.
If you enjoy cocktail planning, you might also make other drinks the night before—thanksgiving-eve gatherings are often the most relaxed time to mix things up. But this cobbler smash is simple enough to assemble right before serving, and it’s a hit every time.
Cranberry isn’t always my top holiday flavor, but here it shines. Using 100% unsweetened cranberry juice gives the drink a bright, tart backbone that balances the brown-sugar cinnamon syrup. Add bourbon and you have a warming, comforting sip that feels like a little taste of fall in every glass.
It’s one of my favorites.
Cranberry Cobbler Smash
Cranberry Cobbler Smash
1
, is easily multiplied
25 mins
5 mins
30 mins
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Ingredients
Cinnamon simple syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cobbler smash
- Crushed ice for each glass
- 1 to 2 ounces cinnamon simple syrup
- 3 to 4 ounces cranberry juice (100% juice, no added sugar recommended)
- 1 to 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 to 2 ounces seltzer water (orange-flavored seltzer is a nice option)
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Sugared cranberries for garnish or to drop into the glass
Instructions
Cinnamon simple syrup
- Heat the brown sugar, water, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of ground cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Stir in the vanilla extract. Store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
Cobbler smash
- Fill a glass with crushed ice. Combine cinnamon simple syrup, cranberry juice, and bourbon in the glass and stir, or shake the liquids in a cocktail shaker for 30 seconds and pour over the ice. Top with seltzer, garnish with a cinnamon stick and sugared cranberries if desired, and serve.
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Who knew cobbler could be so refreshing?