People hear "vodka cranberry" and think of Cosmopolitans, made famous by Carrie Bradshaw and Sex & the City. But I brought a little more holiday flair to this recipe by adding in a cinnamon-clove simple syrup and some orange flavor. The garnishes really make this feel festive, so don't skimp on those!
And in 2020 when we're all celebrating the holidays with our immediate household only (or at least, we should be), I wanted to name this something appropriate.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
2 oz. vodka (I used Broken Shed vodka from New Zealand)
3/4 oz. cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail)
1/2 oz. cinnamon-clove simple syrup
1/4 oz. orange curaçao
1 dash orange bitters
Optional: blood orange seltzer
Fresh cranberries, fresh rosemary, cinnamon stick, and star anise for garnish
Combine all ingredients except seltzer and garnish in a cocktail shaker. Fill 3/4 full with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into rocks glass over a large ice cube and top with seltzer water OR double-strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with your preferred combination of items. I skewered cranberries directly onto a rosemary sprig.
To make cinnamon-clove simple syrup, heat 1 cup of water just barely to boiling. Dissolve 1 cup of sugar into the water, then add 2 cinnamon sticks and 10 whole cloves. Let steep for 30 minutes, then strain out solids (use the cinnamon sticks as cocktail garnish later). Allow syrup to cool before using. Store in a glass bottle in the fridge for up to a month.
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