Holiday Cranberry Cocktail

With a bright, citrusy flavour as a result of the lemon juice, cranberry juice, and orange bitters, this sparkling Holiday Cranberry Cocktail is simply delicious and gorgeous! Oh, and it’s big too!

I’ve heard it said a million times whenever someone is really stressed out that they need a drink. As much as I absolutely love and adore Christmas, I do know that for some people, it can be the most stressful time of year. With that said, a great-tasting cocktail you might consider trying is this Holiday Cranberry Cocktail.

My daughter is almost 20 years old now, but I remember the stress of finding the perfect toy. I remember waiting for her to finally go to sleep so that something she asked for could be assembled. And, I most certainly remember trying to get through Christmas Day without a nap, because she had us awake super early!

I’m most certainly not suggesting that you consume alcohol to get you through the holidays, but moderation is the key. Personally, I think a cocktail tastes better when you have someone you enjoy spending time with, drinking a cocktail too. So, when entertaining this season, consider preparing this Holiday Cranberry Cocktail. But, please, drink responsibly!

REMEMBER TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER!

Not everyone is fortunate enough to celebrate Christmas the way others might. So, if you know someone who might not be a parent, Christmastime can be just as stressful for them. There are many things that can cause a stressful holiday, not just super excited kids. It can be financially stressful for some people. It can be depressing or upsetting for others. And, in some cases, it can be lonely. Do your best to share some goodies or cheer with those who might be less fortunate. And, if you can, choose a local charity and make a donation. For some smaller charities, every dollar helps!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE

The following is a list of the ingredients needed to prepare this recipe. For exact amounts and measurements, refer to the printable recipe card located near the bottom of this post.

• Gin – Gin is a distilled spirit that is made from grain and flavoured with botanicals. The main ingredient is juniper berries, so you might detect a pine flavour depending on how sensitive your palette might be. Gin is originally a Dutch creation, but is now popular all around the world, and it is the main ingredient in a martini. Countless cocktail recipes include gin.
• Lemon Juice – Do not use bottled lemon juice; it isn’t a great substitute for freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cocktail.
• Orange Bitters – This is a cocktail flavouring made from ingredients such as the peels of oranges, cardamom, caraway seed, coriander, anise seed, and burnt sugar in an alcohol base. Contrary to the name, cocktail bitters are not bitter at all. They are sweet and fruity and add complexity to a cocktail.
• Simple Syrup – Simple syrup is a very common ingredient in the world of cocktails. You can buy it online or at some liqueur stores, but why spend the money when you can make it yourself at home? Simple syrup is a mixture of water and sugar. It is boiled until the sugar is dissolved and the water begins to thicken like, well, a syrup! Here is how I make simple syrup at home.

COMMON STORE-BOUGHT INGREDIENTS TO FINISH THIS RECIPE

• Club Soda – Club soda is similar to seltzer water, but in addition to carbon dioxide, various minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate, and occasionally sodium chloride are added. If a cocktail recipe calls for club soda, but you only have a seltzer on hand, use it.  The two are hardly distinguishable. 
• Cranberry Juice – A purest will tell you to buy only pure, 100% cranberry juice. You can listen to them, or you can listen to me. I’ve made many recipes with cranberry juice, and I have substituted that juice many times with cranberry cocktail. Wanna know a secret? They both work the same way and taste almost the same anyway. Bonus – the cocktail version is usually cheaper too!
• Ice
• Fresh Cranberries – For garnish.
• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs – For garnish.

HOW TO MAKE A HOLIDAY CRANBERRY COCKTAIL

Add about 1/2 cup of ice to a cocktail shaker, along with the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange bitters, and club soda. Place the lid onto the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a highball glass and top it up with chilled cranberry juice. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of fresh rosemary. Serve immediately.