Today we're wrapping up our month of Thanksgiving tipples with a bang.
Now, before we dive into this ruby-red refresher, let's appreciate the brilliance of this concoction. It's as if cranberry sauce decided to break free from its can-shaped prison, elope with a bottle of gin, and throw a party in your glass. This isn't just a cocktail - it's the liquid embodiment of that moment when you realize you can finally exhale after surviving another family Thanksgiving.
The Cranberry Gin Fizz is a seasonal twist on the classic Gin Fizz, a drink that's been around since the late 1800s. We're taking that tried-and-true formula and giving it a holiday makeover that would make even the Grinch's heart grow three sizes.
Here's what you'll need to create this festive fizz:
Cranberry Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Club soda
- Ice
- Garnish: fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine gin, cranberry juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Perform a "dry shake" without ice for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice and shake again vigorously for about 15 seconds. You want it frothier than the whipped cream on your pumpkin pie.
- Strain into a chilled highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda for that signature fizz.
- Garnish with a few fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. It should look prettier than your sister-in-law's Instagram-worthy table setting.
Now, why is this the perfect cocktail to round out our Thanksgiving-themed month? Well, pull up a chair and let me spill the cranberry-flavored tea. First, it's a great way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce - just kidding, we're using fresh juice here, folks. But it does capture that essential tart-sweet cranberry flavor that's as crucial to Thanksgiving as elastic-waisted pants.
The gin brings a botanical brightness that cuts through the heaviness of your turkey-induced food coma. The lemon adds a zesty punch that'll wake up your taste buds faster than Black Friday sales wake up your bargain-hunting relatives. And the fizz? Well, that's there to remind you of all the effervescent conversation you've been having... or wish you were having.
But perhaps most importantly, it's a palate cleanser. After a month of heavy, rich, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" flavors, this cocktail is like a refreshing breeze. It's light, it's bright, and it's got just enough kick to help you power through those last few days of November.
The Cranberry Gin Fizz is more than just a drink - it's a transition. It's the bridge between the cozy, comfort-food vibes of Thanksgiving and the festive sparkle of the upcoming holiday season. It's saying goodbye to pumpkin spice and hello to peppermint everything.
So there you have it, folks - the Cranberry Gin Fizz. It's tarter than your aunt's comments about your love life, fizzier than your Hugh Hunton’s favorite jokes, and more refreshing than the end of a long family weekend. Whip this up as you bid farewell to Thanksgiving and get ready to deck the halls.
And speaking of decking the halls, let's take a quick peek at what's coming up next on Bourbon Gospel. As we flip the calendar to December 2024, we're diving headfirst into a winter wonderland of Christmas cocktails. Get ready for a month of drinks that are merrier than a whole choir of carol singers and more festive than an elf's wardrobe.
We'll be stirring up everything from Snowflake Margarita to Chestnut Praline Latte Martini from Peppermint Mocha Martini’s to Christmas Cookie White Russian that'll make you want to cozy up by the fire. We're talking cocktails so jolly, they'll have you believing in Santa faster than you can say "Miracle on 34th Street."
So tune in next week as we kick off our Christmas cocktail extravaganza. Until then, happy mixing, enjoy responsibly, and remember - in cocktails as in life, it's important to stay spirited!
As always I am open to hear your take and your input. You can reach me at [email protected]