This time of the year, I’m willing to bet a good number of you pick up an extra can of cranberry sauce. Guess what? It makes a great addition to cocktails! Shake it up with gin, citrus, herb-infused simple syrup and some bubbly club soda, and you’ve got yourself a tangy, festive cranberry cocktail. And trust me, this seasonal libation is worth a quick trip to the market if it's post Thanksgiving and you used up all your sauce on those turkey sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 ounce Cointreau
- 1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup (find recipe below)
- 2 tablespoons jellied cranberry sauce
- club soda, to taste
- cocktail cherries or lime wheel (for garnish)
Notes: To make rosemary simple syrup, combine one cup white sugar with one cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to just under a boil, and stir gently until sugar is completely dissolved. Lower heat to a simmer and add three sprigs of fresh rosemary. Simmer for three to five minutes. Remove rosemary springs and discard. Let your syrup cool slightly, and then pour into a glass jar or bottle for storing. Refrigerate until cool. Your syrup will keep refrigerated for several weeks of enjoyment.
Directions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon and lime juice, Cointreau, rosemary simple syrup and cranberry sauce.
2. Top with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass.
3. Top with club soda and garnish with cocktail cherries or a lime wheel.
