Christmas Cranberry Cocktail • Kath Eats

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

Christmas Cranberry Cocktail

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 a number of 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 basic selection for the autumn and winter months, and so they effortlessly transition into the vacation season. The vivid and tangy profile of cranberries pairs completely with the heat of bourbon. 

While 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 colour. I’m excited to share the Christmas Cranberry Cocktail recipe that I’ve been sipping since Thanksgiving! 

A Cranberry Twist On Classic Bourbon

While my liquor of selection in the summertime is tequila, within the cooler months I like an excellent bourbon cocktail. 

I grew up with grandparents who beloved bourbon. The scent alone has great reminiscences for me. Bourbon’s versatility extends past the basic Old Fashioned or Manhattan (my favorites), and I like all the brand new cocktails that seem within the cooler months. Whether it’s a spiced bourbon punch for a crowd or a Bourbon Sour 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 effectively with quite a lot of elements, making it a flexible selection for crafting cocktails. The caramel, vanilla, and generally spicy undertones of bourbon can rework a easy drink right into a celebration of flavors.

While you might like our bourbon neat or on the rocks, I favor my drinks to have a little bit of sweetness to steadiness the wealthy, oaky spice of bourbon. Bulleit is one among my favorites 🙂 

If you don’t like bourbon, you may do this recipe as a cranberry vodka cocktail too! I favor it with lime to orange, however for those who love orange you may sub in a splash of orange juice as an alternative. 

Homemade Cranberry Simple Syrup

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

BUT, for those who don’t have contemporary cranberries you can also make a fast model with cranberry juice! Just make sure to discover 100% cranberry juice and never a youngsters fruit punch model. You’ll combine the cranberry juice with both a pure easy syrup (equal elements sugar and water heated till the sugar dissolves) or you may even use a pre-made easy in a bottle like this one. 

One Big Cube

I like my bourbon cocktails served over an enormous dice. I discovered this silicone tray on Amazon and it really works effectively. The huge 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 complete taste profile of the cocktail from the primary sip to the final. I additionally prefer it as a result of I’ve delicate tooth.

Cranberry Christmas Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 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 (akin to 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

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Simple Syrup

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

Step 2: Strain Cranberries

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

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

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

Step 4: Shake Well

Shake the combination vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. 

Step 5: Strain into Glass

Add giant 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 a number of extra contemporary floating cranberries. 

More Festive Ideas

As you propose your vacation festivities, take into account complementing your vacation cocktail with different pleasant creations. Check out this cranberry smoothie recipe for a refreshing non-alcoholic choice or discover the artwork of crafting a surprising 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!