Cranberry Fizz Recipe

Cranberry Fizz Cocktail

1. 1

   Make cranberry reduction

   In a small saucepan combine 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow to simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the mixture has thickened slightly. Mash the cranberries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to release juices and continue simmering 1–2 minutes more.

2. 2

   Strain and cool

   Remove from heat and pour the cranberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Let the strained cranberry syrup cool to room temperature (about 15–20 minutes). This yields a concentrated cranberry syrup used in the cocktail.

3. 3

   Prepare glass (optional)

   If rimming the glass, mix 1 tsp coarse sugar with 1/4 tsp salt on a small plate. Rub a lime wheel around the rim of a highball or Collins glass and dip the rim into the sugar-salt mixture to coat. Fill the glass with ice.

4. 4

   Build the cocktail

   In a cocktail shaker add 2 oz gin or vodka, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup (or adjust if your cranberry syrup is sweeter), and 3/4 to 1 oz of the cooled cranberry syrup (start with 3/4 oz and add more to taste). Add a handful of ice (about 1 cup) to the shaker, cap, and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled.

5. 5

   Top with fizz

   Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared ice-filled glass. Top with 3 oz club soda or sparkling water. Gently stir once to combine, being careful not to knock out too much carbonation.

6. 6

   Garnish and serve

   Garnish with a lime wheel and a fresh rosemary sprig (optional). Serve immediately.

7. 7

   Notes

   Simple syrup: if you don't have ready simple syrup, make 1/4 cup sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water and cool. Cranberry syrup sweetness: taste the cooled cranberry reduction before adding simple syrup; you may omit simple syrup if the cranberry syrup provides enough sweetness. Adjust alcohol and soda quantities to preferred strength.