
Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
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This delicious cranberry hot toddy recipe is lightly spiced with winter spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and orange. If you like mulled wine, you will LOVE this toddy recipe.

It’s cocktail time, and as soon as the leaves start changing and the air turns crisp, this spiced cranberry hot toddy is what I’m craving. It’s warm, cozy, and exactly the kind of drink that makes you want to slow down and settle in for the evening.
I simmer cranberry juice with cinnamon, cloves, and orange until the whole kitchen smells incredible, then finish it with a splash of bourbon. A cinnamon-sugar rim takes it over the top, and while bourbon is my go-to, spiced rum, whiskey, or even vodka all work beautifully. It’s incredibly easy to make and the perfect cold-weather sip.
Keep the cozy party going with a classic hot toddy!


How to make cranberry hot toddies for a crowd
This cranberry hot toddy recipe yields 32 small (2-ounce) drinks, making it perfect for a party. Here’s how to do it:
- Make the spiced cranberry juice, then strain it.
- Add the bourbon to the pot. Pop in a couple of orange slices to pretty it up.
- Put a ladle in the pot and let your guests serve themselves. That’s it! Enjoy!

Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
- 1 mandarin orange (sliced)
- 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
- 2 inch piece of ginger (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 5 star anise
- ½ – 1 cup maple syrup (more, to taste)
- 2-4 cups of bourbon (depending how strong you like your cocktails)
Instructions
- Pour the cranberry juice into a medium-sized pot. Add the mandarin orange slices, cinnamon sticks, ginger, peppercorns, cloves, and star anise and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Strain the juice to remove the spices.4 cups unsweetened cranberry juice, 1 mandarin orange, 2 3-inch cinnamon sticks, 2 inch piece of ginger, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 5 star anise
- Add a ½ cup of maple syrup to the pot. Taste and add more maple syrup, to taste.
- Pour 1 ounce of bourbon into your glass and top with 1 ounce of the spiced cranberry juice.2-4 cups of bourbon
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

My new go-to holiday Toddy. I made it as a Mock Toddy (no alcohol) and it was a hit with family on Christmas night. I can imagine adding the booze would be amazing too. Thinking of making it with just the cranberry, orange, ginger and pink peppercorns to use as a cold wine substitute. WONDERFUL! So happy I found this recipe!
I love all things cranberries all year round, and especially during the holidays! So it was fun to try this.
Having made it 2x I would suggest using less cranberry concentrate – it was so strong! Even with using the full amount of maple syrup suggested. I added more orange juice and a some more water. That helped, so whatever way to lessen the cranberry concentrate. Of course, one could add more maple syrup, too.Fun, festive, creative drink! Thank you for offering the idea!!
The perfect warm drink. Will make it again this winter for sure!