The first round of holiday guests have made it home and now we’re all gearing up for a month full of festivities. And this is a gorgeous way to bridge the Thanksgiving holiday into the Christmas season. Crisp and lightly sweet, this cocktail highlights notes of cranberry with hints of rosemary and maple, swirled alongside the clean notes of a great vodka and a luscious, citrusy pour of Cointreau – all brightened by the zest and juice of fresh lime. It’s a delightful cocktail to usher in this magical time of year.
I’m always talking food ideas with Emily and she was recently sharing ideas for leftover cranberry relish. Having passed through the first celebration of this holiday season you most likely have tossed all those leftovers you had on hand. But if you just happen to have some cranberry sauce hanging out in your fridge, you’re all set to make this beautiful beverage that fits the sweet mood that comes this time of year.
To create the backdrop for this drink, start with a smooth, clean vodka and pair it with one of our favorites – Cointreau – to bring an exotic citrus note. Then add fresh juice and zest from lime, the aromatics of rosemary and the slightly tart, subtly sweet addition of cranberry sauce, plus a touch of sweetness from pure maple syrup.
Give it a good shake over ice and pour it up well chilled.
And for fun, serve it in spectacular fashion with a few fresh cranberries on your favorite cocktail picks, making it a delight for all the senses.
Cheers to the beauty of the holidays!
Southern Holiday Cosmopolitan
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, about 1 large sprig
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon lime zest, 1 lime
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
4 tablespoons whole cranberry relish or sauce*
6 tablespoons vodka
8 tablespoons Cointreau
Ice
Fresh cranberries for garnish, optional
Toss the rosemary leaves into a cocktail shaker and pour in the maple syrup. Using a muddler, blend the rosemary and maple syrup together, crushing the leaves slightly.
Add the lime zest, lime juice and the cranberry relish.
Pour the vodka and the Cointreau into the shaker.
Fill with ice and shake vigorously until the shaker feels very cold to the touch.
Strain and pour into martini glasses.
Garnish with fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick.
*We use our Cranberry Relish but use your favorite relish or sauce. This recipe makes two delightful cocktails.
Southern Holiday Cosmopolitan
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, about 1 large sprig
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon lime zest, 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 tablespoons whole cranberry relish or sauce*
- 6 tablespoons vodka
- 8 tablespoons Cointreau
- Ice
- Fresh cranberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Toss the rosemary leaves into a cocktail shaker and pour in the maple syrup. Using a muddler, blend the rosemary and maple syrup together, crushing the leaves slightly.
- Add the lime zest and lime juice along with the cranberry relish.
- Pour the vodka and the Cointreau into the shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake vigorously until the shaker feels very cold to the touch.
- Strain and pour into martini glasses. Garnish with fresh cranberries on a cocktail pick.
