Cranberry White Christmas Martini
2 oz. White cranberry juice
1 oz. Cranberry vodka
½ oz. Grand Marnier
¼ oz. Fresh squeezed lime juice
½ oz. Rosemary simple syrup (recipe at right)
Fresh rosemary sprig, muddled
garnish:
Frozen whole cranberries
Sugar rim, optional
Strip a stem of rosemary, and throw it (stem and all) into the bottom of a martini shaker. Mash with a muddler. Add plenty of ice and all ingredients for the martini. Shake vigorously, at least 30 seconds or more. Strain into chilled* glass and garnish!
Sparkling Cava Cosmo
Serves 10. Can be served in Champagne flutes
2 cups Cranberry juice cocktail or blended cranberry juice, well-chilled
¾ cup Grand Marnier
5 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
2-3 bottles of Brut Sparkling Wine or Champagne, iced and well-chilled
garnish:
10 strips of lime zest
Rosemary sprigs or tarragon leaves
Combine the cranberry juice, Grand Marnier, and lime juice in a pitcher then mix well. Twist the lime strips to release the essential oils then drop one into each glass. Divide the cranberry mixture evenly among the glasses then top with the sparkling wine. Garnish with green sprigs or leaves, and serve immediately.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
2 Bruised, broken rosemary sprigs
Combine sugar and water in a small pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Boil until sugar is completely dissolved then add rosemary sprigs. Let boil about 5 minutes longer. Turn off the heat and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate if making ahead.