Holiday Cranberry Bourbon Cider

Sure, you could say the side dishes and appetizers make the holiday, but what about a good cocktail recipe?

This holiday cranberry bourbon cocktail is so easy to make and very festive!

It's sure to wow your guests and have you feeling all sorts of warm and fuzzy ;).

Start with your simple homemade cranberry syrup: made with fresh cranberries, sugar, water, orange zest, whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, fresh ginger and fresh rosemary.

LOTS of holiday spice that balance the tartness from the fresh cranberries.

Just add your favorite bourbon, apple cider and a splash of bubbly water and you have yourself a delicious winter cranberry cocktail.

This recipe makes a small mason jar of the cranberry syrup so you will definitely have enough for more than one drink, or you can get creative and use it as a filling for cupcakes, cookies or tarts.

• fresh cranberries
• water
• granulated sugar
• orange zest
• rosemary sprig
• whole cinnamon sticks
• star anise
• fresh ginger
• whiskey bourbon
• apple cider
• sparkling water
• cinnamon + coarse sugar for the rim

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, combine fresh cranberries, water, granulated sugar, orange zest, rosemary sprig, whole cinnamon sticks, star anise and fresh ginger slices.
2. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from heat. Discard the rosemary sprig, cinnamon sticks, star anise and ginger slices. Store in an airtight container.

1. For the sugar rim: combine coarse sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Rub the outside of your glass with honey or syrup. Place upside down on the cinnamon sugar and rotate to evenly coat.
2. Fill the glass with ice. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the cranberry syrup. Add whiskey and apple cider. Top with sparkling water. Give it a stir.
3. Garnish with an orange slice, sprig of rosemary and cinnamon stick.

• I like the texture of the cranberries in the syrup, but you can certainly strain them out if you want to. You'll definitely want to remove the other ingredients like the cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger and rosemary.
• You can keep the cranberry syrup in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
• Plain sparkling water works great for a little fizz. Pomegranate, ginger or cranberry flavored seltzers are also a great choice.
• Star anise can be found where the seasonings and extracts are or you can use the link in the recipe card below to shop online.
• The sugar rim works best with a coarse sugar such as Sugar in the Raw, Turbinado cane sugar.

Not only is this cocktail super easy to make but it looks so cute and festive for Christmas time.

The syrup can be made ahead and you can multiply the recipe to make it in a pitcher (just add the soda water as serving).

Honey, agave, pure maple syrup can all be used in place of the sugar in the syrup.

Frozen cranberries can be used, you may need to cook the syrup slightly longer until they burst open.

Christmas Eve is our holiday to host each year.

We make a true Italian feast: baked stuffed shrimp, linguini and clams, calamari, snail salad, etc.

I love having a festive drink not only to take the edge off while I host, but because it looks so pretty walking around with a holiday cocktail.

Last year I made the Gingerbread Espresso Martini which were a huge hit.

This year we will try my holiday cranberry bourbon cider.

Aside from a delicious drink, it will look so pretty in a pitcher on the middle of the table :).

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