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The ordinary cranberry cocktail is a thing of the past. This festive season, it's time to shake up your holiday parties with creative cranberry concoctions that will have your guests grinning with delight. First, let's talk about beautiful colours. The classic Cosmopolitan is pretty in pink, but a Ruby Red Cranberry Cosmo made with cranberry juice will make your guests swoon as it shimmers a gorgeous garnet hue. For a tropical twist, blend cranberry juice with coconut rum, pineapple juice and lime. The vibrant red tones will transport your guests to a beachside bungalow.
Don't be afraid to add unique textures. A Cranberry Fizz featuring sparkling wine and club soda elicits oohs and ahhs as it bubbles brightly. For a smooth sipper, puree fresh cranberries with vodka, simple syrup and lime juice. The velvety texture glides over the tongue. And don't forget the garnishes. Make your drinks Instagram-worthy with festive accents. Balance a cinnamon stick on a mug of warm cranberry cider or float a cranberry on a Champagne flute. Get creative with sugared cranberries, rosemary sprigs or slices of orange or lime. This year, wow your guests with cranberry cocktails that look, taste and feel magical.
With these 6 cocktail recipes, you can transform ordinary cranberries into extraordinary potions. Cheers!
Sea Breeze Cocktail
This refreshing cocktail is just what you need after a long day. The tart cranberry and zesty lime mingle with the sweet kiss of maple, creating a perfectly balanced beverage. Start by gathering 60 ml vodka and 60 ml freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Add 15 ml maple syrup and stir to combine the flavours. Fill your glass with ice to chill it down. Next, pour 90 ml of pure, unsweetened cranberry juice over the ice.
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Take a juicy lime wedge and give it a squeeze, releasing its bright citrus oils over the top of the drink. Give it a taste - the sweet and sour dance together in delightful harmony. If you want it to be a bit sweeter, drizzle in more maple syrup, 15 ml at a time, until it's just right. Now take a sip and let the flavours transport you. The smooth vodka, tart cranberries, sweet maple, and zesty lime mingle in blissful perfection. Enjoy this balanced beauty as you unwind and leave the stresses of the day behind.
The Long Beach Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a legendary concoction with an enticing name that belies its deceivingly smooth taste. Though it contains no actual tea, this cocktail is crafted from an intriguing blend of clear spirits and citrus juices. To begin, gather an assortment of bottles - gin, rum, tequila, vodka and triple sec. Measure out 15 ml each into a tall glass filled with ice. The gin lends its signature botanical profile, while the rum provides a touch of sweetness. The tequila imparts notes of agave, complementing the vodka's clean taste. Triple sec adds a hint of orange liqueur. Next, pour in 30 ml of sour mix, lending a tangy undertone, along with 60 ml of cranberry juice for a burst of tart berry flavour. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated. For an extra pop of colour and freshness, garnish your Long Island Iced Tea with a bright lemon slice. Served over ice, this refreshing multilayered drink is deceptively smooth. The melding of spirits creates a complex flavour, while the citrus juices mask the boozy bite. Sip this iconic cocktail, but beware - the name may be iced tea, but the contents within pack a punch.
Spiced Cranberry Margarita
A festive cranberry margarita with a spicy twist - this cocktail is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Let’s start by making a cinnamon-infused simple syrup to add warmth and spice. Bring sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks to a boil, letting the cinnamon permeate the syrup as it cools. Now for the fun part - mixing up this cheerful crimson concoction. Gather round your favourite margarita glasses. To the cocktail shaker add tequila, orange liqueur, tart lime juice, sweet cranberry juice, and a splash of our homemade cinnamon syrup. Fill with ice, seal, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
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The ice-cold mixture will be ready to pour. Strain into glasses over fresh ice. Take a moment to admire the beautiful rosy hue before garnishing your margarita with an orange slice and cinnamon stick. The first sip will greet your tastebuds with a balanced blend of sweet cranberries and oranges, tart lime, spice from the cinnamon, and of course a kick of tequila. This special seasonal twist on a classic margarita is a real crowd-pleaser, perfect for holiday parties and festivities. The aroma of cinnamon and citrus will fill the air as you raise a glass with loved ones.
Purple Haze Cocktail
A dash of tart cranberry and a hint of sweet blackberry combine in this delightfully fruity black raspberry vodka cocktail. Start with a base of crisp vodka to lend a subtle backbone, then layer in the jammy richness of black raspberry liqueur. These core spirits mingle and chill over ice before being strained into a glass brimming with fresh cubes. Now comes the fun part - topping up your glass with a splash of cranberry's ruby red juice. The tangy, crimson liquid permeates the cocktail, marrying the ingredients into a harmonious blend. Garnish with a sprig of mint, it's cool green leaves contrast to the drink's berry hues. Add a plump blackberry or two for a pop of colour and seedy crunch. Sip and savour the interplay of sweet liqueur, grassy mint, tart cranberry, and earthy blackberry. Fruity yet balanced, this refreshing vodka cocktail makes a perfect summer treat.
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Pink Honey Martini
This delightfully sweet and tart cocktail is simple to make yet complex in flavour. Begin by gathering your ingredients - crisp vodka, rich honey liqueur, tart cranberry juice, and bright sour mix. The alchemy starts when you combine these liquids in a cocktail shaker. The vodka provides a smooth base, while the honey liqueur lends a touch of decadence. The cranberry juice gives a punch of tartness, and the sour mix adds a zing of citrus. Now fill your shaker with ice and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
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The ice melds the ingredients together brilliantly. Strain your potion into a chilled cocktail glass filled with fresh ice. Admire the pinkish hue and take a sip. An explosion of flavours dances on your tongue - sweet honey, tangy cranberry, bright citrus, all grounded by the vodka. Each ingredient plays its part, combining in perfect harmony. This cocktail may be simple, but it certainly isn't one-note. The complexity will have you savouring every drop.
Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail
Add a splash of colour and flavour to your next celebration with the Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail. To craft this Champagne cocktail, you'll need 15 ml of sweet, citrusy orange liqueur; 90 ml of tart cranberry juice; and 90 ml of bubbly Champagne. Chill a tall flute glass while gathering your ingredients. Once chilled, pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into the flute and gently stir to combine.
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Top up your glass with the Champagne and watch it fizz. For a final festive flourish, garnish your Poinsettia cocktail with a few ruby-red cranberries and a sprig of fragrant rosemary. The tart cranberries and bright citrus dance playfully with the dry, effervescent Champagne. Take a sip and let the fruity flavours fizz on your tongue. Your taste buds will be tickled pink! This cocktail is perfect for a celebratory brunch or any festive gathering. The ruby-red drink will add a pop of colour and holiday spirit. Surprise your guests with the Poinsettia - a bubbly new twist on Champagne cocktails.
