Cran-Cherry French 75
The following recipe was created in collaboration with Lauren Schulte. To see more of her bites and meals, visit her Instagram @TheBiteSizePantry.
However you celebrate the holidays this year, make sure this cranberry cocktail in a part of your plans. This is an elegant, yet simple drink called a French 75 that won’t break the bar. Hendricks gin, cranberry simple syrup, champagne and Heinen’s black cherry sparkling water make this a great cocktail for Christmas.
The best part about this cocktail is that it looks very impressive but can be made in a pinch. Simply grab a shaker, or two glasses of similar size, fill with ice and gin, add the cranberry simple syrup and some lemon juice and seal, shake and strain.
All that’s left to do is pour it into a champagne flute, if going the traditional route, or into a chilled glass topped with champagne and Heinen’s black cherry sparkling water. I also like to add a lemon rind and a couple frozen cranberries for garnish and aromatics.
Cran-Cherry French 75
Servings: 1
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
For the Cocktail
- 1 oz. Hendrick’s Gin
- ½ oz. cranberry simple syrup (see above)
- ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz. champagne
- Heinen’s black cherry sparkling water
Instructions
- For the simple syrup, bring a pot of the water, sugar and cranberries to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes, or until the cranberries are soft. Strain over a container and store in the fridge for up to a week.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and cranberry simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. I like to put my glasses in the freezer to chill while I make the simple syrup.
- Top with champagne and Heinen’s black cherry sparkling water.
- For a little extra flare, peel some of the lemon rind and add it to the cocktail along with some frozen or fresh cranberries. This adds aromatics and more visual appeal to the drink.
