Cranberry Sparkling Martini

Can't believe it's only a few days from Christmas!  Are you in the Holiday mood yet?  If not, give this Cranberry Sparkling Martini a try and you will be in the Holiday mood for sure.  Forget about the holiday baking and chaotic shopping malls for a while.  Let's relax with a Holiday drink, and cheers!



I love the slightly sweet and tart flavors from this Cranberry Sparkling Martini.  First, I prepare the cranberry syrup by cooking up some fresh cranberries with some water, sugar and orange peels.  Let the syrup steep a little so the flavor really infused into the syrup.  When you're ready to put the cocktail together, prepare the orange zest sugar rim for the martini glasses.  The orange zest is so fragrant and refreshing, and truly brightens up this drink.  Not only the sugar rim tastes wonderful with this drink, it makes the martini glasses super festive as well.



I finished up the drink by shaking up some vodka, sherry, and the cranberry syrup along with some ice.  Then, top off the glasses with some champagne, or you can use processo as well.  The bubbly is so refreshing and makes this Cranberry Sparkling Martini really sparkle, fun and festive.



Now, you've got a festive and refreshing cocktail under your sleeves, hope you'll give this a try on your next gathering.  Cheers!




Please drink responsibly.  Health and General Disclaimers.




Cranberry Sparkling Martini (Printable Recipe)
Serves: 2

Ingredients for the Cranberry Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 orange, peels only

Ingredients for the orange zest sugar rim:
zest of one orange
3 tablespoons of sugar
a wedge of orange

Ingredient for the martini:
1/4 cup Cranberry Syrup
2 ounces of Vodka
1 ounce dry sherry
Chilled champagne or processo
a few fresh cranberries, for garnish

To prepare the Cranberry Syrup:
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil.  Add the cranberry and orange zest and cook in medium heat for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let the syrup steep until completely cooled.  Strain and remove the solids.  Chill the cranberry syrup until ready to use.

To prepare the sugar rim:
Place orange zest and sugar in a shallow plate.  Gently toss to combine and set aside until ready to sue.

To prepare the Cranberry Sparkling Martini:
Chill the martini glasses.  With a wedge of orange, go around the rims of the martini glasses and moisten the rims.  Place the glasses up-side-down onto the zest-sugar mixture to coat the rims.  Set aside.

Place the cranberry syrup, vodka, sherry and fill the cocktail shaker with ice; then shake for 20 seconds.  Strain into 2 martini glasses and fill up the glass with champagne.  Last but not least, garnish with a few fresh cranberries.  Cheers and enjoy!