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Simple and delicious, this cranberry gin cocktail is perfect for the holidays - or the middle of summer when you find yourself with lots of rosemary on hand.
The rosemary simple syrup gives this refreshing drink an unexpected twist and pairs perfectly with herbaceous gin.
What You Need
- Cranberry juice
- Gin (I love New Holland Knickerbocker)
- Rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
- Orange bitters
How to Make a Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake it up and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and/or some frozen cranberries
Enjoy!
How to Make Rosemary Simple Syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 - 1 inch pieces of fresh rosemary
Heat the water to boiling. Add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
Add the rosemary to the hot water and sugar mixture.
Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and place in the refrigerator until chilled.
Remove rosemary from the syrup after 48 hours. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips on Cranberry Gin Cocktail
The longer you leave the rosemary in the syrup, the stronger the flavor. If possible, make the syrup a day or two ahead of making cocktails to allow the rosemary more time to infuse the syrup. You also want to make sure your syrup is completely cooled before using.
If you don't have rosemary on hand, you can substitute simple syrup or honey syrup.
Choose a gin with lots of herb flavor in it. I love Knickerbocker Gin by New Holland Brewing Co & Distillery here in West Michigan. Or try a nationally available brand like Bombay Gin.
Frozen cranberries, a sprig of rosemary and/or a twist of orange peel would all be fun as garnishes in this drink.
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Print the Recipe Card
PrintCranberry Gin Cocktail
Simple, delicious, and festive, this cranberry gin cocktail is perfect for the holidays. The rosemary syrup gives it an unexpected twist.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Cocktail Shaker
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz rosemary simple syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
Instructions
Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake it up and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and/or some frozen cranberries.
Enjoy!
Keywords: cranberry, gin, gin cocktail, rosemary simple syrup, holiday drinks, summer drinks
Trish
I have to admit, I was skeptical of this one, since I’m not a big cranberry fan. My husband is, so we gave it a shot. It’s wonderful! The orange bitters make all the difference I think.
★★★★★
MittenGirl
I'm so glad you liked it!! 🙂
Betsey Ingraham
Making the rosemary syrup was super easy. We didn't have fresh rosemary, but the dried worked well as a substitute.
We enjoyed cranberry gin cocktails as part of our New Year celebration. They are almost too good!! Not too much cranberry or gin. Just the right balance.
★★★★★
MittenGirl
Good to know that dried rosemary worked great for the syrup! So glad you liked the cocktail. 🙂