Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary Cocktails

glass of light pink drink with ice, fresh cranberries and rosemary on dark wooden background

Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary Cocktails

This bright and festive Cranberry, Clementine + Rosemary Cocktail is just what you need to make it through this holiday season! Make a single cocktail and scale up as needed or follow the instructions to make a pitcher (serves 16). Simple Syrup yields about 1 ½ cups or 12 ounces.

4.50 from 2 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: thanksgiving

Keyword: alcohol, beverage, cocktail, drink, orange, spritzer, thanksgiving, vodka

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Servings: drink

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Nicole Gaffney (ColeyCooks.com)

Ingredients

For the Simple Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large fresh rosemary sprigs
peel from 2 clementines

For a single cocktail:

½ clementine halved (2 quarters) *see note
1 small sprig rosemary
1 ½ ounces vodka
½ ounce simple syrup use more or less to taste
2 ounces 100% unsweetened cranberry juice NOT cranberry cocktail
ice
3-4 oz club soda OR dry sparkling wine for topping
fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish optional

For a pitcher (serves 16)

8 clementines quartered *see note
8 large rosemary sprigs
3 cups vodka
1 cup simple syrup add more or less to taste
4 cups 100% unsweetened cranberry juice NOT cranberry cocktail
ice
Club soda OR dry sparkling wine for topping 2-3 bottles
fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for garnish optional

Instructions

Make the Simple Syrup

Combine the water, sugar, rosemary sprigs and clementine peels in a small saucepan and bring up to a simmer over medium-low heat (do not boil).
Once the sugar has completely dissolved, turn off the heat and let steep for at least one hour or until cool.
Strain out the solids, then store in a jar or squeeze bottle and chill until needed. Makes 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) and can be made up to 5 days in advance.

Make a single cocktail

Muddle the clementine and rosemary in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Add vodka, simple syrup, cranberry juice and ice, then give it a good shake.
Add ice to a glass, then strain the mixture over top leaving about 1 inch of room. Top with club soda or sparkling wine.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a few fresh cranberries if desired and serve immediately.

Make a pitcher (serves 16)

Muddle the clementines and rosemary in the bottom of a pitcher. Alternatively you can muddle the fruit in batches in a cocktail shaker or pint glass and then add it to the pitcher.
Add vodka, simple syrup and cranberry juice, then stir until well combined. Let sit for 1 hour to infuse.
Strain to remove the solids, being sure to press and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Pour the liquid back into the pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made up to one day in advance.
Pour into glasses with ice, leaving about 1 inch of room on top. Pour club soda or sparkling wine over top.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a few fresh cranberries if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

*Use a whole clementine (or 16 instead of 8) if very small or use less if using a larger orange

Short on time? Skip the flavored simple syrup and use plain simple syrup or agave nectar in a pinch. It won't have quite as much flavor but will still taste great.

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