Ruby-red cranberries have a way of livening up the holidays, especially in that sweet spot between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Luckily, they are plentiful all season, which means that clever mixologists have time to discover new ways to harness their amazing color and tart flavor. It’s easy to overlook just how delicious fresh pressed and unsweetened cranberry juice can taste in a cocktail (especially those that utilize gin, vodka, tequila and rye), but you should really try it when mixing these recipes instead of turning to bottled versions.
‘Tis the Spritzer
Created by Cody Goldstein, founder of Muddling Memories and Head Bartender at Upholstery Store: Food and Wine in New York City.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Tres Agaves Reposado Tequila
- 1 part blood orange juice
- 1/2 part Aperol
- 1/2 part fresh cranberry juice
- Champagne or sparkling wine to fill
- Cranberries to garnish
Directions:
Add all the ingredients into a shaker and fill with a handful of ice. Shake for five seconds. Strain into a Collins glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with a few cranberries.
Pucker Up
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts Ménage à Trois Citrus Vodka
- 3/4 part lemon juice
- 3/4 part tart cranberry jam
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig and cranberries.
Mayflower Mule
Botanical-rich gin and tart cranberry dress up the standard Moscow Mule for the holidays.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Aviation American Gin
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces ginger beer (try the deliciously spicy Fever Tree Ginger Beer)
Directions:
In a pint glass, add gin, juices and simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Fine strain into an ice-filled double rocks glass. Top with ginger beer (not ginger ale, which is too sweet). Garnish with a speared lime wedge and two cranberries.
Pama Cosmo
This festive twist on the classic Cosmopolitan features flavorful pomegranate.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau orange liqueur
- 1/2 lime for fresh pressed juice
- Splash of cranberry juice
Directions:
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime curl.
Angel Spit
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Aviation American Gin
- 3/4 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce white cranberry juice
Directions:
In a pint glass, add spirits and mixers. Fill with ice and shake vigorously. Finely strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a rose petal.
Karlsson’s Winter Punch
Ingredients:
- 750 ml bottle of Karlsson's Gold Vodka
- 5 ounces pomegranate juice
- 9 ounces cranberry juice
- 9 ounces Aperol
- 4 ounces simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
- 3 star anise
- 5 cloves
- 4 allspice berries
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 ounces orange peel
Directions:
Toast spices and set aside. Bring cranberry juice to a simmer. Tie the spices and orange peel in cheesecloth and add them to the cranberry juice. Simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the spice sachet and add the other liquid ingredients. Serve warm or chilled with orange wheels as a garnish.
