Brighten your holiday with this festive Fresh Cranberry Gin and Tonic! It takes only a few ingredients and it doesn’t take long to assemble. Something a little different and colorful for your parties!
It’s the holiday season! I’m definitely in the mood for a festive cocktail. When I think of something bright and colorful, cranberries popped into my mind.
Gin and tonic is Bryan’s go-to drink. When you take a look at our alcohol cabinet, you can easily find a few bottles of gin. I like the varieties of floral and botanical flavors from different gin. But when it comes to alcohol, I can’t really drink too much. I get tipsy very quickly. So this cocktail is heavy on flavors and not too boozy. Also, cranberry flavors can be a little subtle, so you don’t want to drown that out with too much gin.
To make this cocktail, you first need cranberry syrup. It’s very straightforward. Cook fresh cranberries with sugar and water together. While cooking, some of the cranberries will burst and release the flavors into the syrup. Be careful at this point, juices can shoot out when the cranberries burst. It’s best to cover the saucepan partially with a lid. It doesn’t need to cook for long, about 5 minutes or so. Let the syrup cool to room temperature and then move into the fridge to chill. The syrup recipe is enough to make 6 drinks. You can make easily double the syrup for a bigger party.
Once you have the syrup, you’re almost done. It’s time to assemble. Scoop some syrup with some berries into serving glasses. Then add ice cubes. Next, squeeze in some lemon juice. You don’t need much. A little bit is enough to add some freshness. Add gin and last, top with tonic. Give it a stir. Just like that! You got yourself a gorgeous holiday cocktail.
The cranberry syrup is sweet and tart, which goes great the floral gin. It’s an easy way to elevate your classic gin and tonic to something more festive and colorful. And it is quick to assemble, which will be perfect for the holiday parties. I know you guys will like this. Cheers!
Fresh Cranberry Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh cranberry syrup
- 12 ice cubes
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 ounces gin (like Hendrick’s or Tanqueray)
- 10 ounces tonic water
Fresh Cranberry Syrup:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- At least 3 hours ahead, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar and water. Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid starts to boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover partially with a lid. The cranberries will start to burst and pop, which is normal. Cook for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and remove the lid. Cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Chill in the fridge until cold and ready to use.
- Prepare 2 serving glasses. In each glass, first add ¼ cup cranberry syrup with some berries, then add with 6 ice cubes and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Pour in 1 ounce gin and last, top with 5 ounces tonic water. Give it a quick stir before serving.
Notes
- The syrup recipe makes about 13 ounces (about 1½ cups) of syrup. It’s enough to make 6 servings of gin and tonic.
- Cranberry syrup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for about 1 week. Any leftover syrup can be used in other drinks or desserts.
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