Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 orange
- 6 ounces Empress 1908 Gin
- 16 ounces ginger beer
- 6-8 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
Prepare the cranberry mixture (at least an hour ahead):
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and 3/4 cup water.
- Cut the orange into ¼-inch slices and add 2 of them to the pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the berries break down and the mixture thickens to a syrup consistency about 5-7 minutes
- Remove the orange slices and refrigerate the cranberry mixture until completely cooled.
Make the drinks:
- Fill a 32-ounce pitcher with ice.
- Add the Empress 1908 Gin, ginger beer and cooled cranberry mixture.
- Stir gently, then pour into glasses.
Garnish (optional):
- Garnish with fresh thyme and cranberries. For an extra touch sprinkle orange slices with sugar and caramelize using a kitchen torch.
Notes
- Make it ahead: the cranberry mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble the drinks just before serving so they stay fizzy.
- Adjust the sweetness: ginger beer and cranberry both add sweetness. If you prefer a lighter drink, use a less-sweet ginger beer or reduce the amount of cranberry mixture slightly.
- Batch-friendly: this recipe is designed for entertaining. It's easy to double or triple for a crowd using the scale feature above.
- Garnish tip: fresh thyme adds a subtle herbal aroma, but rosemary or orange peel also work well if that's what you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: drinks & cocktails
- Cuisine: N/A
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 4.6 g
- Sodium: 1.3 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.6 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg