It’s nice to make personal gifts for your friends and family, but it’s not so nice being stressed out the week before Christmas and feeling like you have to make personal gifts. So, start now, early, and take your time. Make gifts that will mean something to the recipient, and make them now, while you have the time. They don’t have to be elaborate gifts, or time-instensive preparations, just simple, heartfelt, and just right. Do you and a friend always test and rate the cosmos at the restaurants you visit? Why not make her some cranberry liqueur so you can get together and make your own holiday cosmos on a stressful day? The vibrant red color of this liqueur is perfect for the holidays. Present it in a decorative glass bottle with your favorite cosmopolitan recipe attached.
Cranberry liqueur
2 c sugarCombine sugar and water in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and cool completely.
1 c water
1 12-oz package fresh cranberries
3 c vodka
Place cranberries in a food processor; process 2 minutes or until finely chopped. Combine sugar mixture and cranberries in a large bowl; stir in vodka.
Pour the vodka mixture into a large, clean jar; secure with lid. Let stand 3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking every other day.
Strain the cranberry mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl, and discard solids. Carefully pour liqueur into clean, decorative bottles.
Note: Liqueur can be stored refrigerated or at room temperature for up to a year.
If you don’t have a favorite cosmo recipe, try this one out.
Cosmopolitans
2 parts Cranberry liqueurMix with 1 cup crushed ice; strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon or lime twist.
1 part Cointreau
½ part lime juice
Mixed it up yesterday. 3 weeks is a long time to wait but I'm excited to try it.
ReplyDeleteIf you were only making one, would you do the ameretto or the cranberry liquor!
ReplyDeleteI'd say the ameretto because it is quick. i've yet to taste the cranberry one it is still filtering but it smells good and looks pretty. I wasn't sure I was an ameretto fan but I loved it with ginger ale and a splash of orange juice at Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteKate, Do you need to use a good vodka for this?
ReplyDeleteVerdict?
ReplyDeleteSo I didn't have the ingredients for a Cosmo, and it didn't make a huge amount, I didn't double it. So I gave what I had as a gift and only saved myself a taste. I found http://www.in-the-spirit.co.uk/cocktails/browse_cocktails.php?type=ing&ing_id=16 tried the summer rain because I had apple juice and not much else. I'm going to start a new batch soon and this time I'll double it so I can try a few more fun drinks. It was good. Bridget, I didn't use good vodka in mine, you taste more cranberry than vodka.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking I want to make it for bookclub at my house for Feb. THe grocery store no longer had fresh cranberries in the produce section. The same bags as fresh were in the freezer section for $3.00. Next year I will be buying my $1 bags of cranberries and freezing a few.
ReplyDeleteWish I were closer, I have a bag of them in my freezer. February’s a great idea – Valentine’s cocktails!
ReplyDeleteIt was worth the 3 week wait. It looks awesome and tastes even better. Plus I poured it a day early, but neither the Birthday girl or I noticed! It was yummy! Plus I have 2 other small bottles to share. Next time I'll make a double batch too:) I have one XL canning jar that held it all. What else could I use if I made 2 batches? Could you reuse a plastic 1/2 gallon bottle? Thoughts or suggestions appreciated. What a treat at the end of a "Kind of snow day" and report cards:) Happy Birthday Sue!!!
ReplyDeleteMight have to try this Cranberry surprise for a fun to summer treat with the last of my cranberry liquor
ReplyDeleteAnyone use the soaked cranberries in anything else ?
ReplyDelete