Christmas Cranberry Cocktail

This Christmas cranberry cocktail is a festive drink to make on a comfortable vacation night or serve at a vacation celebration. It’s made with bourbon, cranberries, lime and orange liquor and served over a giant dice.

The vacation season brings with it a cascade of festive flavors, and one timeless ingredient that stands out is the cranberry. I have a tendency to purchase just a few further baggage in November and freeze them to make use of all winter lengthy. I’m an enormous cranberry sauce lover!

Cranberry cocktails are a traditional alternative for the autumn and winter months, and so they effortlessly transition into the vacation season. The intense and tangy profile of cranberries pairs completely with the heat of bourbon.

Whereas cranberries get a variety of consideration round Thanksgiving, the ruby pink hue is ideal to take middle stage in Christmas cocktails, including a burst of tartness and a splash of vibrant shade. I’m excited to share the Christmas Cranberry Cocktail recipe that I’ve been sipping since Thanksgiving!

A Cranberry Twist On Basic Bourbon

Whereas my liquor of alternative in the summertime is tequila, within the cooler months I like a great bourbon cocktail.

I grew up with grandparents who liked bourbon. The scent alone has fantastic recollections for me. Bourbon’s versatility extends past the traditional Previous Long-established or Manhattan (my favorites), and I like all the brand new cocktails that seem within the cooler months. Whether or not it’s a spiced bourbon punch for a crowd or a Bourbon Bitter with a cranberry twist, it’s enjoyable to make a home cocktail to serve on the vacations. (Don’t neglect eggnog with bourbon too!)

Aged in charred oak barrels, bourbon acquires a smoothness and complexity that pairs exceptionally nicely with quite a lot of substances, making it a flexible alternative for crafting cocktails. The caramel, vanilla, and typically spicy undertones of bourbon can rework a easy drink right into a celebration of flavors.

Whilst you might like our bourbon neat or on the rocks, I desire my drinks to have a little bit of sweetness to stability the wealthy, oaky spice of bourbon. Bulleit is one in every of my favorites 🙂

In case you don’t like bourbon, you’ll be able to do this recipe as a cranberry vodka cocktail too! I desire it with lime to orange, however in case you love orange you’ll be able to sub in a splash of orange juice as an alternative.

Do-it-yourself Cranberry Easy Syrup

What makes this vacation drink distinctive is the selfmade cranberry easy syrup, which is sort of a strained model of cranberry sauce. When you’ve got contemporary for frozen cranberries round, you can also make this from scratch in just some minutes. Belief me – the flavour and richness of contemporary cranberry is value it!

BUT, in case you don’t have contemporary cranberries you can also make a fast model with cranberry juice! Simply you’ll want to discover 100% cranberry juice and never a children fruit punch model. You’ll combine the cranberry juice with both a pure easy syrup (equal components sugar and water heated till the sugar dissolves) or you’ll be able to even use a pre-made easy in a bottle like this one.

One Huge Dice

I like my bourbon cocktails served over a giant dice. I discovered this silicone tray on Amazon and it really works nicely. The massive dice isn’t nearly aesthetics; it’s a method that enhances the general consuming expertise. The sluggish melting of a big ice dice minimizes dilution, permitting you to savor the total taste profile of the cocktail from the primary sip to the final. I additionally prefer it as a result of I’ve delicate enamel.

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Recipe

Components

2 oz bourbon
1 oz cranberry easy syrup (or 1/2 ounce cranberry juice and 1/2 ounce plain easy syrup)
1/2 oz orange liqueur (resembling Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
1/2 oz contemporary lime juice
A handful of contemporary cranberries (for garnish)
Sprig of rosemary (for garnish)
Ice cubes for shaking
A big dice for serving

For cranberry easy syrup:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup contemporary cranberries

Directions

Step 1: Put together Easy Syrup

Begin by making cranberry easy syrup. In a small saucepan, mix 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar and three/4 cup cranberries. Warmth over medium excessive warmth, stirring till the sugar dissolves and the cranberries have begun to pop open, releasing their juices. Permit to chill barely earlier than straining. Alternatively you need to use cranberry juice and a pre-made easy syrup like this one.

Step 2: Pressure Cranberries

Pour the cooked cranberries right into a colander over a small bowl and press to launch all of the juice.

Step 3: Mix Components

Add bourbon, cranberry easy syrup (or add the cranberry juice and easy blended), orange liqueur, contemporary lime juice, and ice to the shaker.

Step 4: Shake Effectively

Shake the combination vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.

Step 5: Pressure into Glass

Add massive dice to a cocktail glass and pressure the combination into the glass.

Step 6: Garnish

Give your Christmas Cranberry Cocktail a festive contact by garnishing it with a twist of orange peel, a sprig of contemporary rosemary for an evergreen look or just a few extra contemporary floating cranberries.

Extra Festive Concepts

As you propose your vacation festivities, think about complementing your vacation cocktail with different pleasant creations. Try this cranberry smoothie recipe for a refreshing non-alcoholic choice or discover the artwork of crafting a shocking Christmas charcuterie board to impress your friends.

Cheers to a vacation season crammed with good firm, laughter, and pleasant sips of this enchanting cranberry-infused libation!