Festive Cranberry Cocktail

Nov 1, 2024

Festive Cranberry Cocktail

If you make cranberry sauce from scratch like many of us, save a few berries for this holiday-inspired cocktail. It blends simple sugar made with fresh cranberries with bourbon. Bourbon brings caramel and vanilla flavours with warming spice notes, notably cinnamon and nutmeg. This cocktail is perfect for cooler weather or holiday time. For that festive touch, serve this cocktail with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary for garnish.

Materials

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz Cranberry simple syrup Recipe below
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau Or any orange liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Lime juice Fresh is always best
  • Orange slices for garnish
  • Rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine the bourbon, simple syrup, orange liqueur and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds until well chilled.
  • Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with the orange slice and rosemary sprig. If you have any fresh cranberries left over, you can add 2 or 3 to the cocktail as well.

Cranberry Simple Syrup

  • Add 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water and 3/4 cup fresh cranberries to a small saucepan.
  • Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries break open, releasing their juice.
  • Allow to cool, then strain the mixture, gently pressing the cranberries. This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until needed.

Notes

  • If you are not up to making a simple syrup, you can use cranberry juice; just make sure the juice is made with 100% cranberries.
  • Cointreau is preferred, but other orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier and Triple Sec can be easily substituted.

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