Spiced Cranberry Holiday Cocktail

I love making signature cocktails for special occasions and this cocktail is definitely one of my favorites. It has flavors of rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, and cranberry, complemented with a splash of Campari for a festive and delicious holiday drink.

Vodka is one of my favorite spirits because it’s a blank slate, allowing other flavors to really shine through. Of course, you could use any spirit of your choice. The star of this drink is definitely the simple syrup, made by simmering rosemary, ginger, cinnamon and honey together to create a unique and festive flavor profile. This cocktail is simple, yet elevated by combining warm holiday flavors we all know and love.

Balancing these flavors is the key to perfecting the drink. The warm spices inject flavor into the simple syrup, with the addition of Cointreau (orange liquor) contributing a citrusy sweetness. Lime juice adds some tartness and needed acidity, and cranberry juice adds yet another layer of sweet, tart fruit forward flavor.

Campari is a bitter, Italian liqueur and aperitif, made by infusing alcohol with herbs, aromatic plants and fruits. It has a gentle bitterness and light sweetness with notes of orange, herbs, and wood which makes it a perfect addition to warm wintery flavors.

All of these ingredients pair well together to make a perfect balanced beverage you should serve at your next holiday gathering. 

Rosemary Ginger Simple Syrup

Yields: 6-8 drinks

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup honey

1/2 sprig rosemary

3 inches sliced ginger

2 sticks cinnamon

1. In a small pot, bring water, honey, rosemary, ginger, and cinnamon to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and strain into a glass jar.

3. Allow the simple syrup to cool before use. 

Spiced Cranberry Holiday Cocktail

Yields: 1 cocktail

2 oz vodka

1 oz Campari

1/2 oz Cointreau

1 oz cranberry juice

1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice

1-2 Tablespoons rosemary ginger simple syrup

Sparkling water to top

For the optional garnishes:

Rosemary sprigs

Cranberries

Cinnamon sticks

Sugar for rim

1. On a small plate, add sugar. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip into the sugar to coat the rim.

2. Fill the glass with ice.

3. To a shaker add ice, vodka, Campari, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and pour in prepared glass, garnish with rosemary, cranberries and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

If you want to learn more cocktail recipes perfect for the holidays, join us for Hands-On Holiday Cocktails on Friday, December 20 at 6pm at Lincoln Square. But hurry, we have just two spots left!  

We also have a Cocktail Happy Hour on Friday, January 10 at 5pm which is the perfect way to kick off your weekend!