Merry Cranberry Cocktails

When I turned 21 years old, I had barely ever drank before (you're welcome, Mom and Dad!). I didn't know the difference between a good cocktail and a bad cocktail, so my initial favorites were Malibu and Pineapple (remembering the taste of that cocktail still makes me cringe to this day) and Cranberry-Vodka. Back then, I loved the tart, yet artificially sweetened cranberry juice mixed with the only spirit I knew (besides Malibu Rum, of course. Cringe).

Fast forward 10 years later, and I find myself mixing up a new kind of cranberry-vodka cocktail in my kitchen. I like to think this version is a bit more refined than the cranberry-vodkas of my yesteryear. 

Merry Cranberry Cocktails

Yields: 2 cocktails

Cranberry Simple Syrup:

-2 1/4 cups fresh cranberries

-1 cup water

-1 cup granulated sugar

Cocktail:

-Ice cubes (we used enough to fill two tall tumbler glasses)

-1 ounce Cranberry Simple Syrup (aka 1 shot glass full)
-2.5 ounces vodka
-Ginger beer

-Squirt of lime juice
-Extra fresh cranberries, for garnish

Directions:

Cranberry Simple Syrup:

1.) In a medium saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cranberries are tender but haven't burst, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then strain through a colander. Discard cranberries.

Cocktail:

1.) Fill glasses with ice. Add cranberry syrup and vodka; fill the glasses the rest of the way with ginger beer. Stir carefully. Add a squirt of lime juice to each glass, and top with fresh cranberries for a festive garnish. Cheers!

The ginger beer in these cocktails adds a necessary splash of flavor and festive bubbles, while the tart cranberries are nicely mellowed out in their syrup form. The Cranberry Simple Syrup also makes a good amount of leftovers, so feel free to use it in any of your favorite cocktails this holiday season for a festive touch of flavor (and color!). 

What's your favorite cocktail to sip during the holidays?