It’s Monday and I’m already thinking about happy hour. OOF. I know that it’s probably not the most timely, being the beginning of the week and all, but maybe it is? Sometimes Monday needs a cocktail, too. Fridays shouldn’t get all the fun. This drink is super easy to put together–exactly how I like my at-home beverage situation–and refreshing while still having that cozy, fall-time feel–thank you, bourbon! It has a tart punch from cranberry juice and some fizzy funk from kombucha.
I’ll assume many of you have tried kombucha but, maybe not? If not, it’s a mildy fizzy, slightly tangy, fermented tea situation. One of my favorites is a spiced apple version from a local kombucha brewer here in Oregon. The spiced apple flavor happens to work perfectly with cranberry and bourbon though any flavor would work (ginger would be amazing). I made these for early-happy-hour this weekend and mixed them up pitcher-style because I really just can’t be bothered with mixing up drink after drink sometimes. I have things to do! Like, get sucked into spooky podcasts (thanks to Katrina for the suggestion)! And, since I’m all about easy-weekend-living, this cocktail is just four ingredients: kombucha, cranberry juice, bitters, and bourbon. Done and done.

- 1, 14oz, bottle spiced apple kombucha (or whatever flavor you like)
- 1½ cups cranberry juice
- ¼ cup bourbon
- about 8 dashes of bitters
- ice
- In a pitcher, combine all of the ingredients and stir to combine. Pour into ice filled glasses. Garnish with cranberries if you’re into that sort of thing.
oh HECK yes. No shame in Monday cocktails, I have a HH on my calendar for tonight! And I should probably NOT mention that I’m going on like a week and a half of nightly cocktails/wine, but I am. Actually, it might be time to stage an intervention. But not until after I make this recipe, k? 😉
Hey, I say you’re on a pretty good roll…maybe you’ll break a personal record 😉
Ahhhh I’ve been dreaming about cocktails like this for the last 7 1/2 months (totally knocked up 🙂 ), I cannot wait until the little one arrives so I can indulge again…Looks SO delicious.
I, literally, dreamed about cocktails when I was pregnant (ha)! Almost to the finish line (and congrats)!!
Oh we totally need cocktails on Mondays. And Tuesdays and Wednesday and…well, you get it. Speaking of spooky podcasts, Sara from Cake over Steak recommended Sword and Scale to me and holy craps is it addicting and terrifying all at the same time. Yikes! I will check out The Black Tapes. Thanks for the recommendation!
YES, agreed. And I am going to totally check out Sword and Scale, thanks for the rec! I definitely already burned through the Black Tapes 🙂
Oh my word this looks amazing!! …and the kombucha makes us feel it’s slightly healthy. 🙂
♥Heather and Melissa
I am addicted to podcasts and haven’t heard of that one–can’t wait to listen to it on my commute today! I’ve never had kombucha but you convinced me 😉
Hi, I am new to this century and I just discovered that I like kombucha. I may be late to the game, but I make up for it by being totally obsessed. Love the idea of adding it to a cocktail!