Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Friday | Nov / 18 / 2016 | Comments 25

Is Thanksgiving really this coming Thursday? It seems like I only blinked, and now November is more than halfway over. Does anyone else feel this way? Or are you more than ready for the Christmas season to be here? No matter how you’re feeling, you’ve survived another week and in my book, that calls for a drink. Today I’m teaching you how to make this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail.

Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas, or none-of-the-above, this cocktail is perfect for this time of year. The bourbon and herbs make it fall friendly and the cranberries add a touch of holiday.

As I’ve told you, even though I’m not a big fan of bourbon, I’m totally on board when it’s mixed with the right ingredients. That proved to be the case with my Apple Cinnamon Hot Toddy. And it’s true with this cocktail as well.

The base of this drink is mainly bourbon and cranberry juice in equal parts. By itself, that combination makes for an exceptionally nice, easy-sipping cocktail. However, you know me – I like to step up my cocktail game and fancify things a bit.

For this recipe, I made a rosemary sage simple syrup. Yes, it sounds elaborate, but it’s actually very easy. You just combine a cup of water with a cup of sugar and toss in a few sprigs of rosemary and sage. Let that simmer for 5-8 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. It’s really that simple.

The syrup adds a fresh, seasonal flavor to the cocktail that works wonderfully with the bourbon and cranberry.

To finish things off, squeeze in a bit of fresh lemon juice.

Since I had extra herbs, I created a garnish by tying a few pieces together with string. Isn’t it pretty? I know it’s over the top, but I thought the holidays called for something special.

If you like these glasses, you can find them here. From what I gathered, they are the same glasses Ina Garten uses. They are even prettier in person.

This is a libation I’d be proud to serve and wouldn’t mind sipping myself. Maybe I’m developing a taste for bourbon after all!?

Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail

2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces cranberry juice (100% juice, unsweetened)
1/2 ounce rosemary sage simple syrup*
Splash of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Fresh rosemary and sage for garnish

In a glass filled with ice, add the bourbon, cranberry juice, rosemary sage simple syrup, and a splash of lemon juice. Stir to combine.

*Rosemary Sage Simple Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine one cup of sugar and one cup of water. Toss in a couple sprigs each of fresh rosemary and sage. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. This will take 5-8 minutes. Strain the herbs from the simple syrup and allow it to cool completely before using.

This truly is a stunning cocktail and one I’m certain you will enjoy.

Happy everything!

Vodka Cranberry drink recipe

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You might think the Vodka Cranberry drink is simply vodka and cranberry juice, especially since that’s how some bars serve it. Well, some bars are lazy and shameful. This drink actually has four ingredients, and the last two are very important to the flavor.

The real drink recipe

That means this drink recipe is actually a little more complicated than its name might lead you to believe. A proper Vodka Cranberry also uses a touch of Rose’s sweetened lime and some orange juice to bring out the best of the cranberry flavor.

Because vodka doesn’t really change the flavor of the cranberry juice, this cocktail would just taste like straight cranberry juice without some help. The orange and lime add hints of something sharp and bright.

This cocktail recipe is pretty light on the alcohol, so feel free to vary it according to your taste and tolerance. The only alcohol in this drink is vodka, so you can add a little more if you prefer.

You can also leave it out completely when you want a mocktail. That makes it great for parties where some guests might not be drinking.

If you’re making it as a virgin cocktail, you might want to add a little more of the orange and lime to make it extra special. It doesn’t take much – just a few dashes, or maybe half an ounce.

What the Vodka Cranberry drink tastes like

The Vodka Cranberry is sometimes thought of as a beginner’s drink because it’s not very strong and you don’t really taste the alcohol. But it’s a delicious drink for anyone.

The great thing about this drink is how refreshing it is without being strong. The lime and cranberry are both tart, which really wakes up your taste buds. But you also get some sweetness from the dash of orange juice, and that makes it delicious.

Note that some bartenders do make this drink much stronger. The classic recipe only calls for an ounce of vodka, but some put in a good bit more.

When it’s mixed according to this recipe, the only reason you’ll know the vodka is in there is that slight burn you feel as it goes down. And it is really slight.

If you want a regular strength drink, you certainly can bump the vodka up to the standard 1 1/2 ounces without changing the flavor noticeably. If you want your drink on the strong side, bump it up to two ounces of vodka and just reduce the cranberry juice accordingly.

Brunch, anyone?

While the Vodka Cranberry might not sound like your usual brunch drink, it actually works because it has such a high ratio of fruit juice to alcohol.

And cranberry juice tastes great with a lot of brunch foods. Try it with omelettes or quiche, or breakfast pastries. It goes surprisingly well with a good cinnamon bun.

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A refreshing cocktail

Because this drink contains several ounces of cranberry juice, it’s also refreshing in the sense that it’s truly hydrating. It’s even got a few vitamins in it.

And that makes it great for a night of dancing. It puts back some of the vitamins and hydration you’re sweating out as you enjoy yourself.

It’s also great for a day in hot weather. It’s perfect for poolside or anytime you’re going to be out in the heat.

If you like this drink, you should also check out the Desert Shield, which blends vodka and cranberry with cranberry liqueur. If you want pure cranberry flavor, that’s the drink for you.

There’s also the Crystal Cranberry, which features amaretto, Crown Royal, gin, cranberry juice and more. It does make a change from this drink, but the taste of it is wonderful.

There’s also the C&T Cocktail, which blends cranberry and gin with Absolut Mandarin and more. That one is so good.

Коктейль Cranberrini Кранберини

Gin&Cranberry (Джин и Клюква)

Состав:

50 мл джина Finsbury

150 мл клюквенного морса.

Метод приготовления: Build

Посуда: хайболл 360 мл.

Украшение: долька лимона

Рецепт приготовления:

В гранит положить лед, налить джин Finsbury, сверху налить морс. В верху стакана на лед положить дольку лимона.

Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail

When it comes holiday style, are you all about the sparkle or the sweatpants? Pour yourself an easy-to-make (and even easier to drink!) Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail, and let’s discuss.

The sparkle attracts me. After all, what other time of year could I feasibly don a glittery skirt or a light-up snowman sweater and be right on trend?

Then, I flash forward to my feelings every year after my family’s four-day, multi-dinner holiday feast extravaganza. The only sparkle I want is the shiny stripe down the side of my sweatpants.

Fortunately for us, with cranberry St. Germain cocktails in hand, we’ll be party pretty no matter what we are wearing! The sparkly lime sugar on the rim says so.

These cranberry cocktails are not only incredibly refreshing; they’re beautiful. This easy holiday drink recipe will be the finishing special touch to your holiday party spread (or sip one joyfully on the couch while watching your favorite Christmas movie).

No matter the occasion (or your attire), I’m certain these cranberry cocktails will be a smashing success!

The Best Holiday Drink

When the holiday season begins and you start planning festive gatherings, a series of questions may fill your mind. What are holiday drinks? What is the best drink for Christmas? What is a traditional Christmas drink?

In my opinion, this cranberry St. Germain cocktail is one the best drinks for the holidays.

It’s easy, festive, and instantly makes me feel more elegant.
The red color and sparkly green rim are on-point.
You can make it in as large of a quantity as you need and prep it in advance, making it an >

How to Make Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail

The Ingredients

Vodka. Vodka works well here in this cocktail recipe, because it’s flavorless and lets the other flavor shine. Also, I find that when I am making drinks for a crowd, vodka tends to be the most universally accepted.
St. Germain. If you’ve never tasted it and are wondering what kind of alcohol St. Germain is, it’s an elderflower liqueur. Elderflower tastes mildly floral, delicate, and delightful. It adds an airiness and subtle sweetness to cocktails. There are other brands of elderflower liqueur available, but St. Germain is the gold standard and the one I recommend.
Cranberry Juice. This drink is a bit of a twist on a cosmo, done better. The cranberry is sweet, but not too sweet and fruity. Plus, it’s the perfect shade of red to make the perfect Christmas drink.
Lime. Lime pops with the cranberry, and it adds a festive green touch. Use lime juice in the cocktail and the zest to rim the glasses.
Frozen Cranberries. A beautiful garnish, and they help keep your drink cool.
Sugar. My sweet and fun addition to the rim of the glasses.

The Directions

Making This Cranberry Cocktail for a Crowd

If you’re making this recipe for a large crowd, increase recipe yield as needed to accommodate your guests. Then, pour your prepared drink into a pitcher for easy serving, and chill in the refrigerator until your guests arrive.
You can mix all the drink ingredients together except the lime juice up to 8 hours before the party and refrigerate until time to serve. Then, cut the limes wedges, add the lime juice, and prepare the sugar mixture about 2 hours before.
To Serve. Prepare each cocktail glass by dipping it into the sugar mixture or allow guests to dip their own. Set out the lime wedges and frozen cranberries so guests can garnish their drinks as they please. (I like to dip part of the glasses into the sugar mixture and leave some plain. That way my guests can choose whichever they prefer.)

Recipe Adaptations and More Ideas for St. Germain

Cranberry St. Germain Cocktails with Gin. Swap gin for the vodka in this recipe. To make it a St. Germain gin and tonic, omit the cranberry juice and add tonic water instead.
St. Germain Cocktail with Prosecco. For an equally delicious cocktail without the cranberry twist, try my sparkling St. Germain Cocktail, which is made with prosecco or with champagne. You also can top this recipe with a splash of sparkling wine.
St. Germain Margarita. Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy St. Germain is in this refreshing St. Germain Margarita.

More Traditional Holiday Cocktails

Before your family arrives for the holidays (or tonight when you get home), mix up a big pitcher of these cranberry St. Germain cocktails, shake, pour, and sip. Whatever your choice of holiday attire, these ruby-red quenchers are sure to match.