Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail
A Festive Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail: The Perfect Winter Warmer
When the nights draw in and a chill settles in the air, we often find ourselves searching for a special drink that truly captures the spirit of the season. We believe we’ve found it in the beautifully aromatic and utterly delightful Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail. This is far more than just a drink; it’s a festive experience in a glass. It masterfully balances the sharp tang of cranberries with the fragrant, evergreen notes of fresh rosemary, resulting in a sophisticated flavour that is both wonderfully refreshing and deeply comforting. It’s the ideal way to greet guests, relax after a busy day, or simply raise a glass to the joy of winter. Let’s begin.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A True Showstopper: The rich, jewel-like red of the cranberry, set against a sprig of fresh green rosemary, makes this one of the most visually stunning Christmas cocktails you could ever serve. It elevates any occasion and looks spectacular in any type of glass.
- A Perfect Balance of Flavours: We have taken great care to perfect the harmony in this cocktail. It avoids being overly sweet or excessively sharp. Our homemade rosemary simple syrup introduces an elegant herbal depth that wonderfully complements the zesty lime and bold cranberry.
- Wonderfully Adaptable: Whether your preference is for a botanical gin or a crisp vodka, this recipe is designed to work beautifully with both. We also provide a superb non-alcoholic alternative, so everyone at your gathering can partake in this festive delight.
- Designed for Entertaining: Although it’s simple to mix a single serving, this recipe can be easily scaled up for a crowd. We’ll guide you on how to prepare a large pitcher, freeing you up to mingle with your guests rather than being tied to the drinks station.
Ingredients
- 250ml water
- 200g caster sugar
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 50ml gin or vodka
- 75ml pure, unsweetened cranberry juice
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 20ml rosemary simple syrup (or to taste)
- 50ml sparkling water, club soda, or Prosecco to top
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- A fresh rosemary sprig for garnish
To create this magnificent drink, our first task is to prepare a simple but flavour-packed rosemary-infused syrup. It’s remarkably straightforward! Below is everything you need for both the syrup and the cocktail itself.
- For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 250ml water
- 200g caster sugar
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- For Each Cocktail:
- 50ml gin or vodka
- 75ml pure, unsweetened cranberry juice
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 20ml rosemary simple syrup (or to taste)
- 50ml sparkling water, club soda, or Prosecco to top
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- A fresh rosemary sprig for garnish
Crafting Your Perfect Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail
The true magic of this cocktail’s flavour profile is unlocked by the homemade syrup. By preparing this component first, we infuse the drink with a gorgeous aromatic quality that store-bought syrups simply cannot replicate.
Step 1: Create the Aromatic Rosemary Simple Syrup
This syrup forms the heart of our cocktail and requires only a few moments to prepare. You can also make it several days ahead of time to streamline your party preparations.
- Combine and Heat: In a small saucepan, pour in the water and the caster sugar. Place the pan over a medium heat to warm gently.
- Dissolve the Sugar: Stir the mixture occasionally until you can see that all the sugar crystals have fully dissolved. There’s no need to bring it to a vigorous boil.
- Infuse with Rosemary: As soon as the sugar is dissolved, take the saucepan off the heat. Add your fresh rosemary sprigs, ensuring they are completely submerged in the warm liquid.
- Steep for Flavour: Place a lid on the saucepan and allow the rosemary to steep for a minimum of 30 minutes. If you desire a more pronounced cranberry rosemary flavour, you can let it infuse for as long as two hours.
- Cool and Strain: After steeping, remove the sprigs of rosemary and let the syrup cool down to room temperature. For an exceptionally clear syrup, pass it through a fine-mesh sieve. You can store it in a sealed bottle or jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. To learn more about the art of syrup-making, Difford’s Guide has a wonderful overview of cocktail syrups.
Step 2: Mix Your Cocktail to Perfection
With your fragrant syrup now ready, it’s time to assemble the star of the show. This part is quick and easy, resulting in a beautifully chilled and impeccably balanced drink.
- Chill Your Glass: For the most enjoyable experience, we always suggest using a chilled glass. A coupe, martini glass, or even a short tumbler will work perfectly. You can fill your chosen glass with ice while you mix the drink.
- Combine the Ingredients: Take a cocktail shaker and fill it generously with ice. Pour in your spirit of choice (gin or vodka), the unsweetened cranberry juice, the freshly squeezed lime juice, and your homemade rosemary simple syrup.
- Shake Well: Fasten the lid securely and give the shaker a good, energetic shake for around 15 seconds. The shaker becoming frosted and ice-cold to the touch is the sign that it’s perfectly chilled.
- Strain and Serve: Empty the ice from your serving glass. Using a strainer, pour the vibrant red cocktail mixture into the chilled glass.
- Add the Fizz: Finish your drink with a splash of sparkling water, club soda, or, for an extra celebratory feel, some Prosecco. This adds a delightful effervescence that elevates the entire cocktail.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Add a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary as a garnish. For an extra touch of flair, gently clap the rosemary between your palms before placing it in the glass; this helps to release its fragrant oils. Serve straight away.
Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations
We hope you’ll feel inspired to make this Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail your own. Below are some of our favourite ways to adapt the recipe and achieve the very best results.
Making it a Mocktail
It’s incredibly simple to create a non-alcoholic version that is just as sophisticated and delicious. Just leave out the gin or vodka and substitute it with a premium non-alcoholic spirit, such as Seedlip Grove 42 or a similar citrus-led alternative. You could also simply add another 50ml of sparkling water for a lighter, spritz-style drink that all your guests can enjoy.
Batching for a Crowd
If you’re hosting a gathering, this is the ideal winter cocktail to prepare in a pitcher or punch bowl. To create a batch for 8 servings, just mix the following in a large jug:
-
- 400ml gin or vodka
- 600ml cranberry juice
– 200ml lime juice
– 160ml rosemary simple syrup
Stir all the ingredients together and let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least one hour before your guests are due. When it’s time to serve, pour into ice-filled glasses and allow your guests to top up their drinks with sparkling water or Prosecco. Remember to have a small bowl of fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs nearby for garnishing!
Perfect Pairings
The bright, herbal, and tart notes of this cocktail make it an excellent companion for a variety of festive foods. It effortlessly cuts through the richness of a cheese or charcuterie board. As a main course partner, it complements roasted poultry and other rich, savoury dishes beautifully. We find it’s the perfect match for something flavourful like a Baked Hot Honey Chicken, where the cocktail’s acidity provides a lovely contrast to the dish’s sweet and spicy elements.
FAQ
A New Winter Tradition
And there we have it—a straightforward yet sophisticated recipe for a truly unforgettable Cranberry Rosemary Winter Cocktail. This is more than just a recipe; it’s a centrepiece for your festive gatherings, a catalyst for conversation, and a delightful way to toast the season. The aroma of rosemary, the deep red hue, and the perfectly poised flavours are certain to make this a cherished new tradition in your home. This cocktail is wonderful for serving alongside a comforting meal, such as our popular Garlic Butter Chicken And Veggies, for a truly special winter dining experience.
We hope you’ll get creative with it, try both gin and vodka versions, prepare a batch for your next get-together, and share the festive joy. We would be thrilled to see your creations! Feel free to snap a picture and tag us on social media, or leave a comment below to tell us what you thought. Cheers!
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- 250ml water
- 200g caster sugar
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- For the Cocktail (per serving):
- 50ml gin or vodka
- 75ml pure, unsweetened cranberry juice
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 20ml rosemary simple syrup
- 50ml sparkling water, club soda, or Prosecco
- Ice cubes
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- A fresh rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove from heat, add rosemary sprigs, cover, and let steep for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove the rosemary sprigs and let the syrup cool. Strain if desired. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Mix the Cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add gin (or vodka), cranberry juice, lime juice, and 20ml of the rosemary simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold to the touch.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled serving glass.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water, club soda, or Prosecco.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig before serving immediately.
