Koval Cranberry Gin Liqueur 750ML

Koval Cranberry Gin Liqueur 750ML is a 30% ABV gin liqueur from Chicago's Koval Distillery that infuses a 13-botanical dry gin base with real Michigan cranberry. It earned a Gold medal and 95 points from the Beverage Testing Institute's New and Innovative Spirits Awards and was named Best American Gin Liqueur at the World Liqueur Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 30% (60 Proof)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Gin Liqueur  |  Distillery: Koval Distillery

Production & Heritage

Koval Distillery, founded in 2008 in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, was the city's first distillery since the mid-1800s. The Cranberry Gin Liqueur starts with Koval's signature dry gin, small-batch distilled from organic Midwestern rye and featuring 13 botanicals — juniper, angelica root, coriander, grains of paradise, and rose hip among them. Only the "heart cut" of the distillation run is collected, and the resulting spirit is then infused with cranberry concentrate sourced from Michigan bogs and sweetened with organic cane sugar. All grains and ingredients are sourced from local, organic Midwestern farmers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh cranberry leads, followed by bright citrus zest, classic juniper, and delicate herbal undertones. The nose is inviting without being overly sweet, balancing ripe fruit against the dry gin backbone.

Taste: Tart cranberry arrives immediately on the palate, quickly joined by a measured sweetness that never overwhelms. The mid-palate opens into orange peel, soft botanical spice, and a subtle bitter edge. Juniper and grains of paradise reassert themselves toward the peak, grounding the fruit in unmistakable gin character.

Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering cranberry tartness and gentle herbal dryness. The finish is moderate in length, leaving a balanced impression of fruit and botanicals.

How to Drink Koval Cranberry Gin

At 30% ABV, this liqueur is approachable chilled and served neat as an aperitif or poured over ice with a twist of orange peel. It also shines in cocktails where its cranberry-forward profile adds both color and complexity. A Cranberry Gin Fizz — topped with soda water and a squeeze of lime — lets the tartness and botanicals expand. In a Cosmopolitan variation, it can replace both the vodka and cranberry juice for a more herbaceous, streamlined take on the classic. A Bramble riff substituting Koval Cranberry for the traditional crème de mûre introduces a brighter, more acidic fruit note that pairs well with the lemon and gin foundation.

Best For

• Gifting a craft-spirits enthusiast who values organic, small-batch production
• Building a home bar with American-made, award-winning liqueurs
• Hosting holiday gatherings where cranberry cocktails are a seasonal staple
• Exploring gin liqueurs beyond mainstream European brands

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Koval Cranberry Gin taste like? It delivers tart, juicy cranberry balanced by subtle sweetness, orange peel, and classic gin botanicals like juniper and grains of paradise. The overall impression is fruit-forward yet dry enough to avoid tasting like a simple fruit cordial.

How does Koval Cranberry Gin compare to Pimm's No. 1? Both are gin-based fruit liqueurs, but Pimm's (25% ABV) leans toward warm spice and caramel, while Koval Cranberry (30% ABV) centers on tart fruit and juniper-driven botanicals. Koval also uses certified organic ingredients and a single-fruit focus rather than Pimm's multi-herb, bittersweet profile.

Is Koval Cranberry Gin good for cocktails? Yes — the 30% ABV provides enough structure to stand up in mixed drinks, and its natural cranberry tartness reduces or eliminates the need for additional juice in recipes like Cosmopolitans or spritz-style serves.

Where is Koval Cranberry Gin made? It is distilled and produced at Koval Distillery in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The cranberry concentrate is sourced from bogs in Michigan, and the organic grains come from Midwestern farms.

What foods pair well with Koval Cranberry Gin? Soft-ripened cheeses like Brie complement the cranberry tartness. Smoked turkey or duck benefit from the fruit-forward contrast. Dark chocolate truffles echo the bittersweet undertones. Fresh oysters or ceviche play off the liqueur's bright acidity. Almond biscotti or shortbread cookies match well with the gentle sweetness and herbal finish.

What sizes does Koval Cranberry Gin come in? The standard size is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format from Koval Distillery.

Is Koval Cranberry Gin worth the price? It positions as a premium craft liqueur within the American gin liqueur category, justified by its organic ingredients, small-batch heart-cut distillation, and multiple awards including a 95-point BTI Gold medal.

Why Koval Cranberry Gin?

Few American distilleries produce a cranberry gin liqueur with this level of ingredient transparency — organic Midwestern rye, Michigan cranberry, organic cane sugar, and nothing artificial. The 95-point BTI Gold and Best American Gin Liqueur title at the World Liqueur Awards confirm that the quality matches the sourcing story. At 30% ABV, it occupies a useful middle ground: assertive enough for cocktails, gentle enough for sipping neat. For anyone seeking a domestically produced, award-winning alternative to European fruit liqueurs, this Chicago-made expression stands on its own credentials.