Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary
A festive highball blending whiskey, tart cranberry juice, and ginger ale, garnished with fragrant rosemary for a holiday touch. This general-inspired holiday ready in about 5 minutes pairs whiskey, cranberry juice, ginger ale for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 4 oz ginger ale
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary sprig
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a highball glass with 1 cup of ice cubes to chill the drink thoroughly.
- Step 2: Pour 2 oz of whiskey and 1 oz of cranberry juice over the ice.
- Step 3: Add 4 oz of ginger ale gently down the side of the glass to retain carbonation.
- Step 4: Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine all ingredients well.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 fresh rosemary sprig by lightly bruising it between your fingers to release aroma, then place it in the glass.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep whiskey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Holiday Cranberry Whiskey Highball with Rosemary?
General holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
