In my honest opinion, cranberry and coffee is a match made in heaven. They balance each other beautifully, masking minor flaws and coming together to create something far greater than the sum of their parts.
The vibrancy, sweetness, and acidity of cranberry perfectly complement the chocolaty, fruity, and slightly bitter undertones of coffee, making it an ideal drink for a warm summer afternoon. Refreshing yet energizing, it delivers everything you could ask for and then some.
There are countless ways to brew coffee for this recipe, and each method comes with its own strengths and shortcomings. To keep things simple for you (yes, you dummies), I’m starting a dedicated series on the cranberry-coffee relationship. In it, I’ll break down specific recipes, discuss their pros and cons, and share my preferred way to enjoy each one.
That said, none of this is set in stone. Feel free to tweak the recipes to suit your own taste and preferences. I’ll also include suggestions along the way to help you fine-tune each drink to your liking.
So, let’s get started.
Ingredients Required
| Ingredients | Preferred Quantity |
|---|---|
| Espresso Shot | 32g |
| Cranberry Juice (Note: Please do not use the sugar free stuff) | 150-180ml |
| Soda Water/ Sparkling Water | 100-150ml |
| Ice | 60-80g |
Serving Size: ~ 380-400ml
From this
To this
Recipe
| Step No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Add ice to your glass, make sure it is chilled. |
| 2. | Add your entire shot of espresso over the ice and stir it to chill it down. |
| 3. | Slowly pour over the Sparkling Water. |
| 4. | Use the spoon as a barrier and slowly pour over your Cranberry Juice on top. |
Voila, you’ll have yourself a beautiful glass of cranberry espresso. If you were gentle with your pours, you’ll notice a clear separation between the layers. Serve it without stirring. This creates a theatrical experience for the person drinking it, allowing them to either enjoy it as is or mix everything together at their own pace.
Tweaks & Recommendations
Espresso: Ahh, the star of this show. Often dismissed as bitter and reserved only for hardcore coffee nerds, it works incredibly well in this drink. Use any espresso you like, as long as it’s preferably freshly brewed. A fruity, punchy espresso works best, in my humble opinion; however, a dark, chocolaty espresso will do just as well, depending on your taste preferences..
Cranberry juice: The underdog that steals the spotlight. It also acts as the sweetener in this drink. So if you want it sweeter, simply add more. That said, in my experience, too much cranberry juice can make the drink feel slightly sticky or tacky on the tongue and start to interfere with the coffee’s flavour and expression.
Remember this is a Coffee-First Drink.
Soda water / Sparkling water: The background actor that lends an incredible spark to the theatre. It acts as both a barrier and a textural additive, bringing in a distinct sense of freshness. In my experience, it also helps you taste both the coffee and the cranberry more clearly as the bubbles on your tongue enhance the perception of each ingredient. Without it, the drink would feel a bit too heavy and overly sweet; with it, everything feels lighter, brighter, and more balanced.
Review: Who is it for?
Avid coffee drinkers will be enchanted by the prominent coffee flavour in this drink.
The espresso makes itself clearly known on your palate. Pairing cranberry with espresso is therefore best suited for those who genuinely enjoy black coffee and have no problem inhaling a few straight shots of espresso.
I wouldn’t introduce someone to coffee with this drink. People new to coffee often still perceive espresso based drinks as intensely bitter, regardless of what’s added to them.
If your palate is already acclimatized to straight espresso shots or strong black coffee, you have some time on your hands, and you want something to slowly sip while relaxing, this is the go-to drink for you.
Until next time.