The Red Queen – Festive Gin Cocktail with Cranberry and Elderflower
, Updated Oct 19, 2025
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The Red Queen cocktail brings together vibrant cranberry juice, floral elderflower liqueur and crisp gin for a drink that looks as good as it tastes. Perfect for holiday celebrations, dinner parties or when you’re ready to mix something a little regal.
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Meet the Red Queen Cocktail — a bold, ruby-red drink that looks fit for royalty. It combines crisp gin, tart cranberry juice and sweet elderflower liqueur for a beautifully balanced flavor that’s both refreshing and festive. Whether you’re hosting a party or mixing something special just for you, this cocktail is easy to make and guaranteed to impress.
Why I ❤️ this cocktail (and I think you will too)
- Simple but striking: Only a few ingredients, but the color and flavor deliver drama in every sip.
- Seasonal perfection! Cranberry and elderflower make it perfect for winter gatherings and holiday celebrations.
- Easily customizable: Adjust the sweetness or add a splash of prosecco for a sparkling twist.
- Make-ahead friendly: Mix the base in advance, then shake over ice when guests arrive.
Don’t you think it should come with a little label saying ‘drink me’? Their whole aesthetic is very Alice in fact. And the Red Queen is a gorgeous ruby red which looks beautiful, capricious and just a little bit dangerous. This is a perfect festive cocktail – just the thing to get a party started!
❤️ DID YOU KNOW? The Red Queen even had a pop culture moment – being served to Yor in Season 1, episode 24, The Role of a Mother and Wife / Shopping With Friends, of Spy X Family
Pictured above: Still from SPY×FAMILY Season 1 Episode 24, Screenshot via CBR
© Tats Endō / Shūeisha · CloverWorks / WIT Studio.
Here’s What You’ll Need
- Gin – choose a floral or citrus-forward gin such as Hendrick’s to complement the elderflower.
- Cranberry juice – use unsweetened for a tart balance, or sweetened for a softer drink.
- Elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) – adds floral sweetness and depth.
- Fresh lemon juice – brightens and balances the sweetness.
- Simple syrup (optional) – You will need this if using unsweetened cranberry juice to balance the flavors.
How to Make The Red Queen
- Place the glasses in the freezer or fill with ice to chill.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with plenty of fresh ice. Add the cranberry juice, Hendricks gin, St Germain and lemon juice.
- Shake hard until a frost forms on the shaker – about 30 seconds.
- Have a taste and adjust – perhaps you want to add a bit more lemon?
- Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish with the fresh cranberries.
Lucy’s Pro Tip
Cranberry juice can vary greatly in flavor and most brands are actually using a juice blend and not 100% cranberries. Use your favorite brand and adjust the flavor as needed by adding simple syrup for sweetness or more lemon juice if the juice is on the sweet side.
Have you made my Red Queen cocktail? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!
The Red Queen
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup ( 120ml) cranberry juice
- ⅓ cup (80ml) gin such as Hendrick's
- ¼ cup ( 60ml) St Germain Elderflower liqueur
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or to taste
Garnish
- fresh cranberries to garnish
Instructions
- Chill the glasses in the freezer or fill with ice cubes.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and add all the ingredients. Shake until a frost forms on the shaker – about 30 seconds.½ cup ( 120ml) cranberry juice, ⅓ cup (80ml) gin, ¼ cup ( 60ml) St Germain Elderflower liqueur, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Taste your drink and make any adjustments – does it need a touch more lemon juice?
- Pour into the chilled martini glasses and garnish with the fresh cranberries. Cheers!fresh cranberries
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
Curious what type of cranberry juice? A cranberry fruit cocktail juice or 100% cranberry juice (no sugar) ?
Ocean spray cranberry classic works well. An unsweetened cranberry juice can be used as well but you will need to add some sugar syrup otherwise the cocktail might be too tart. You don’t want the cranberry to eclipse the other ingredients.
Does this use actual cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail like Ocean Spray?
You can use 100% cranberry juice if preferred
This is the 100th (at least) time I googled this recipe to make the cocktail as my my bartender has a short term memory. The best!!
Ha! I need to get some St Germain I really feel the urge to make this again. The festive pull is too much!
What a beautiful cocktail. My "go to" cocktails tend to be margaritas, lychee martinis and cosmos. I'm thinking I need to give this twist on a cosmo a try.
This cocktail is gorgeous!
thanks Marla!
Beautiful pictures, the coktail sure looks like the queen/king of cocktails.
Yes I was looking at the photos and the name just jumped out!
Gorgeous photos, got everything here except the elderflower, will have to nip out and get some tomorrow. Merry Christmas!
Thanks Jen – hope you make it. I had one today to celebrate the end of a long day! Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful colour and beautiful pictures. Given that I am quite partial to a glass of gin, I reckon I could demolish a fair few of these. Happy Christmas x
I am raising a virtual glass to you! Cheers & Merry Christmas
Another sensational post in so many this year, thanks so much and Merry Christmas! I'm off to get some cranberry juice…
Thank you! A little of this cocktail goes a long way when preparing Christmas lunch…