Who can resist a seasonal cocktail? When it’s chilly outside with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, it’s so tempting to indulge in the comforts of traditional holiday flavors. Of course, you could get your fix baking endless batches of Christmas cookies (nothing wrong with that), but it can be even more fun to mix up an enchanting holiday cocktail to share with someone special.
We had to share these gorgeous new libations by Cooking Channel mixologists and hosts of Unique Sweets, Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark. Brand new way to use cranberry sauce, anyone?
Gin & Cranberry Sauced
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce(without whole berries)
2 oz. gin
½ oz. fresh lime juice
2 dashes bitters, such as Peychaud’s
Sprig of fresh rosemary
Directions: Grab some leftover cranberry sauce and–avoiding the whole berries–add 2 tablespoons to a shaker with the gin, lime juice and bitters. Add ice, shake very vigorously at least 30 to 45 seconds and strain through a mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass. Smack a sprig of rosemary between palms to release aroma/holiday aggression and float delicately atop the cocktail. Toast to well-purposed leftovers.
Bourbon Cider Sipper
Clove Simple Syrup
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon whole cloves
Cocktail
1 ½ oz. bourbon
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. clove simple syrup
1 ½ oz. hard apple cider
Apple slice studded with a few whole cloves, for garnish, optional
Directions: For the clove simple syrup: Combine the brown sugar, cloves and 1 cup water in a pan and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and sit for 2 to 3 hours; strain off the cloves before using. (Store any remaining syrup in a sealed jar, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.)
For the cocktail: Add the bourbon, lemon juice and clove simple syrup to a shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a highball glass. Top with hard cider–and if you’re feeling fancy–garnish with an apple slice studded with a few whole cloves. That part is optional though. As are pants.
For more on Alie & Georgia, check out their website. Thanks for the recipes, ladies – we’ll be toasting to you!
