Cheer the cooler breezes by mixing yourself one of these icy libations—both are plays on classic cocktails incorporating the ruby wintry berries.
The Continental’s Christmas Mule
3 fresh cranberries
1 1/2 ounces St. Petersburg Distillery Banyan Reserve Vodka
1 1/2 ounces Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
3 ounces Strongbow Hard Cider
Sprig of rosemary, for garnish
Pinch of cinnamon
Cut cranberries in half; set aside 3 halves. Muddle remaining halves into vodka. Double strain into a glass.
Top with ginger beer and hard cider, stir with bar spoon.
Garnish with reserved cranberry slices and rosemary sprig; sprinkle with cinnamon.
The drink is available by request at The Continental, 1205 Third St. S., Naples; (239) 659-0007.
Bonefish Grill’s Winter White Cosmo
2 ounces vodka
1/4 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice and simple syrup mixture
1 1/2 ounces white cranberry juice
Fresh cranberries, for garnish
Combine ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 to 4 floating cranberries.
The drink is available at all four area Bonefish Grill locations (Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Cape Coral).
More ideas and tips:
- You can make your own cranberry vodka by placing cranberries in vodka of your choice and allowing it to infuse for 48 to 72 hours.
- Increase the volume of all ingredients by 10 and serve the drinks punch-style.
- Freeze cranberries either alone or in a block of ice (if serving punch) to help them keep cool—and look cool!
