Sweet, spicy and flavorful, this large batch Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktail will be the sip of the season at your very merry holiday cocktail celebration.
So, why was Rudolph’s nose really red? I think it was too many holiday cocktails. Makes sense right? It’s hard not to imbibe when you’re surrounded with boozy hot chocolate, brandy-infused candy cane eggnog and these wonderful Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktails.
This is BY FAR my favorite holiday cocktail recipe. It’s colorful, festive and absolutely mouth-watering and delicious….which can be dangerous. There is nothing more fun than infusing flavors of the season into the bar menu. In fact, the Happy Elf Cocktail and these Pumpkin Pie Martinis might also add to the merry.
I think the magic is in the spiced simple syrup, it encompasses what the holidays should taste like; sweet, spicy, flavorful.
I guarantee a homerun when you start your party off with a pitcher of these. And the simple syrup can be made a day ahead, so no last minute rushing!!
The simple syrup is made in a large saucepan on the stove to help dissolve the sugar.
Red sanding sugar adds a decorative touch to the rim of your glasses.
I like garnishing the glasses with cranberries for a festive touch.
Enjoy these festive cocktails throughout the season!
If you are looking for other seasonal cocktail recipes these very GREEN Glowing Geckoes are the perfect drink for a Grinch themed party. If blue and festive for Hanukkah is what you need, these Hpnotiq Breeze beauties are going to fit the bill. Christmas Sangria is always a good idea as far as I’m concerned. This Gingerbread Latte Martini sounds and looks like dessert. And raise your hand if you need an Eggnog Mudslide this season.
Two years ago I made these Italian Cookies and they are STILL the best Christmas Cookies around.
Cranberry-Spiced Martini Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 3 cups water
- 1-1/2 cups vodka, divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 12 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise pod
- fresh cranberries
- red sanding sugar
- orange juice
Directions
- In a large saucepan combine the water, cranberry juice cocktail, sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise and whole cloves; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the spices and cool completely. This may be made up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated, which is perfect since it can get nice and cold.
- Dip the rim of your glasses in some extra cranberry juice and then in red sanding sugar for a decorative touch. Put cranberries on festive toothpicks and freeze for garnish.
- To a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, add ½ cup of spiced-cranberry simple syrup, ¼ cup vodka and a splash of orange juice. Shake and strain into martini glasses and garnish with frozen cranberry skewers.
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