Cranberry Spice Sparkler: Your Ultimate Festive Holiday Cocktail Recipe
This Cranberry Spice Sparkler Cocktail is destined to be the signature toast of the holiday season this year. Infused with rich, seasonal flavors, this dazzling sparkling cocktail promises to elevate all your holiday celebrations, from intimate gatherings to grand festive parties.
As the festive season draws near, it’s time to infuse a little extra sparkle into your days, especially leading up to those eagerly anticipated holiday feasts and parties. Whether it’s a casual “Thirsty Thursday” or a lavish Christmas Eve dinner, a captivating cocktail can truly set the mood. This year, we’re not just adding sparkle; we’re crafting an unforgettable experience with a Cranberry Spice Sparkler that embodies all the joy and warmth of the holidays.
You know that feeling when you’ve enthusiastically committed to a bit too much, and suddenly the realization hits: “Oh my goodness, how will I manage all this?” Welcome to the pre-holiday rush, a whirlwind of deadlines, social events, and endless to-do lists. It’s a time when our brains often struggle to keep pace with the demands, sometimes leading to stress-induced habits or simply a longing for a moment of calm and cheer. But fear not, because we’ve found the perfect antidote: a sparkling cocktail designed to wash away the seasonal stress and usher in pure holiday bliss.
Note: this is an updated version of the original recipe published on November 12, 2015.
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Embracing the Holiday Spirit with a Sparkling Solution
While holiday stress can sometimes tempt us towards less healthy coping mechanisms, this year, let’s turn to something truly delightful: the Cranberry Spice Sparkler! This elegant yet simple holiday cocktail is the perfect way to distract yourself from the hustle and bustle, offering a moment of pure, effervescent joy. It’s a sparkling beacon of holiday cheer, and trust me, it’s far more effective than stressing about the impending weight gain that often accompanies the season.
My family has always believed in marking special occasions with a celebratory toast. From a young age, the clinking of champagne glasses at every holiday meal became a cherished tradition, instilling in me a love for the festive fizz. This year, however, we’re taking that bubbly tradition to an exciting new level with this exceptional Cranberry Spice Sparkler cocktail. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to add a touch of sophistication and vibrant flavor to their holiday gatherings.
The secret lies in the homemade cranberry spice syrup, an aromatic infusion that packs a powerful punch of seasonal flavors. A little goes a long way, ensuring that each sip is bursting with the essence of cranberries, warm cinnamon, exotic star anise, and a hint of zesty ginger. The chosen sparkling wine – be it elegant champagne, a lively prosecco, or a crisp Cava – perfectly balances these intense flavors, ensuring they don’t overpower your palate. Instead, you’re left with a subtle yet distinct holiday warmth that primes your senses for all the delicious food to come. This delightful concoction also brings that wonderful, fuzzy feeling we all associate with good times and great company, proving particularly useful when navigating lively family discussions!
Essential Equipment for Your Perfect Sparkler
Creating a truly remarkable cocktail doesn’t always require an arsenal of fancy bar tools, but having a few key pieces of equipment can significantly streamline the process and enhance the final result. For this Cranberry Spice Sparkler, we’ll focus on essentials that ensure both precision and flavor extraction, leading to a perfectly balanced and visually appealing drink.
Precision Measuring for Cocktail Mastery
When it comes to mixing cocktails, accuracy is paramount. Even a slight deviation in liquid measurements can alter the delicate balance of flavors. That’s why I highly recommend a reliable measuring tool. For liquids, a nesting measuring beaker set, like those from OXO, is an absolute game-changer. Its clear markings and various sizes make it ideal for measuring everything from cranberry juice to vodka, ensuring each component is added in the right proportion for a consistently delicious sparkler. While a jigger is fantastic for small pours, a beaker set offers versatility for larger quantities needed for the spiced cranberry base.
The Indispensable Saucepan for Flavor Infusion
The heart of this Cranberry Spice Sparkler lies in its infused cranberry base. To create this aromatic elixir, you’ll need a good quality saucepan. Any medium-sized saucepan will do, but ensure it comes with a tight-fitting lid. The lid is crucial for two reasons: first, to bring the cranberry juice and spices to a gentle simmer effectively, and second, and most importantly, to allow the spices to steep and infuse thoroughly after removing it from the heat. This steeping process is where the magical holiday flavors truly develop, imparting their essence into the cranberry juice, creating a deeply aromatic foundation for your cocktail.
Achieving Clarity: The Role of Fine Mesh Strainers
After your cranberry juice has had ample time to steep with the whole spices, you’ll want a beautifully clear liquid free from any remnants of cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, or ginger pieces. This is where a set of fine mesh strainers becomes invaluable. Using a fine mesh strainer ensures that all the solid spices are removed, leaving you with a smooth, perfectly infused cranberry juice concentrate that’s ready to be chilled and transformed into a sparkling masterpiece. Investing in a good set of strainers means your cocktails will not only taste amazing but will also boast a clean, professional appearance.
Crafting Your Exquisite Cranberry Spice Sparkler!
Now that we’ve gathered our essential tools and understand the delightful components, let’s dive into the simple yet rewarding process of making this festive cranberry spice sparkler. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to focus on enjoying the holidays rather than being stuck behind the bar. The key is in preparing the spiced cranberry base ahead of time, making assembly a breeze!
Step-by-Step: Preparing the Spiced Cranberry Base
The first and most crucial step for this incredible cocktail is to create your spiced cranberry juice concentrate. This infusion is what gives the sparkler its signature holiday flavor profile. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of your preferred cranberry juice (100% cranberry juice or a cranberry blend works well, adjust for sweetness later if needed), one whole cinnamon stick, two whole star anise pods, and two 1-inch pieces of crystalized ginger. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, allowing the aromas to begin to release. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes; this brief period ensures the spices begin to release their potent flavors into the juice. After 5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it tightly with its lid, and allow the mixture to steep for at least 30 minutes. For an even more intense flavor, you can let it steep for up to an hour as it cools. Once steeped, use your fine mesh strainer to strain out all the solid spices, leaving you with a beautifully clear and aromatic spiced cranberry juice. Transfer this concentrate into an airtight container and chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator until it’s completely cold, ideally for at least one hour or even overnight. Preparing this component in advance is a fantastic way to save time on the day of your celebration.
The Art of Assembly: Mixing Your Sparkler
Once your spiced cranberry juice is perfectly chilled, assembling the cocktails is incredibly quick and easy. For each individual Cranberry Spice Sparkler, you will need a champagne flute – stemless ones add a modern touch and are less prone to tipping. In each flute, carefully pour 1 ounce of your chilled spiced cranberry mixture. Next, add ½ ounce of vodka. While the vodka adds a nice kick, you can adjust this amount to your preference or omit it entirely for a delicious mocktail (more on that below!). Finally, gently top off the rest of the flute with chilled champagne or your chosen sparkling wine. The sparkling wine not only adds effervescence but also dilutes the intense cranberry spice base to a perfect balance. To elevate the presentation, garnish each cocktail with a few fresh cranberries. They add a vibrant pop of color and an extra touch of festive elegance. Serve immediately and watch your guests’ faces light up with holiday cheer!
Tips and Variations for Your Sparkling Creation
- **Make Ahead:** The spiced cranberry juice can be made up to 3-4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows for quick and easy assembly when guests arrive.
- **Non-Alcoholic Version:** To create a delightful mocktail, simply omit the vodka and top the spiced cranberry juice with sparkling cider, ginger ale, or even sparkling water for a lighter option. It’s just as festive and flavorful!
- **Sweetness Adjustment:** If your cranberry juice is very tart, or you prefer a sweeter cocktail, you can add a touch of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves) to the cranberry spice mixture while it’s steeping, or to taste when assembling.
- **Garnish Ideas:** Beyond fresh cranberries, consider a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aromatic touch, a twist of orange peel to complement the spices, or even a sugared rim for extra sparkle and sweetness.
- **Sparkling Wine Choices:** While champagne is classic, Prosecco offers a fruitier, often sweeter profile, while Cava provides a dry, crisp alternative. Choose what suits your taste and budget!
Discover More Cocktail Creations: Check out my booze recipes page for endless inspiration!
Cranberry Spice Sparkler
equipment
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Libbey Stemless Champagne Flute Glasses
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Cocktail Stirring Spoons
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Copper Hammered Finish Jigger
ingredients
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 1- inch pieces of crystalized ginger
- 6 oz vodka
- Champagne or other sparkling wine
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
instructions
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In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of cranberry juice, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise pods, and 2 (1-inch) pieces of crystallized ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and cover tightly with a lid. Let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a more intense flavor. Once steeped, strain the spiced cranberry juice through a fine mesh strainer into an airtight container to remove all solid spices. Chill the spiced cranberry juice in the refrigerator until it is thoroughly cold, approximately 1 hour or more. This step can be done up to several days in advance.
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To assemble each cocktail, pour 1 ounce of the chilled spiced cranberry juice into a champagne flute. Add 1/2 ounce of vodka. Carefully top off the remainder of the flute with chilled champagne or your preferred sparkling wine. Garnish each Cranberry Spice Sparkler with a few fresh cranberries for a beautiful presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive creation!
This delightful Cranberry Spice Sparkler was proudly featured as part of the second annual Blogsgiving Dinner week! This incredible event brings together a community of food bloggers to share their most cherished holiday recipes, fostering a spirit of culinary generosity and inspiration. If you’ve been looking for even more delectable dishes and festive drinks, be sure to explore all the tasty recipes from this vibrant collaboration. With over 60+ bloggers contributing throughout the week, there’s a treasure trove of ideas waiting to be discovered for your holiday table.
You can easily follow along with all the amazing contributions on social media using the hashtag #blogsgivingdinner. For a complete overview of all the festive creations, including entries from both the 2015 and 2014 events, you can peruse the entire menu in Part 1 and Part 2 of our comprehensive recipe round-ups. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Susannah from Feast + West for her tireless efforts in hosting and organizing this spectacular event each year. Her dedication makes it truly special!
P.S. If you’re a food blogger passionate about holiday cooking and eager to join this wonderful community, we’d love to have you at next year’s event! Feel free to reach out and let us know – everyone is welcome at the Blogsgiving table to share in the festive fun and culinary creativity. Cheers to a season filled with delicious food, sparkling drinks, and cherished memories!