Bon Weekend, Plus a Festive Cocktail Recipe

Bon Weekend, I hope you had a great week and a better weekend planned!  Christmas festivities are in full swing and I'm almost finished with school for the semester... that calls for a celebration itself.  My little guy was under the weather for a couple of days but is feeling much better.  We're hoping to partake in a couple holiday events around town this weekend.

A delicious cocktail for your soirée...

Cranberry Ginger Fizz Cocktail

            

Ingredients: 4 cocktails

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup water

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 lemon, cut into wedges

½ orange, cut into slices

1½ cups dry gin - Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater or Tangueray suggested

1 cup chilled Ginger Ale

4 mint springs

Instructions

1. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour off all but one cup of syrup, reserving any extra for another use.
2. Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool in syrup.
3. Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.
4. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.
5. Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
6. Strain into a medium pitcher.
7. Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and ¼ cup ginger ale.
8. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.
9. Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with 3 candied cranberries and a mint sprigs.  Cheers!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!  

xoxo, B

Photo via here and recipe here