With the holiday season in full swing, take time to relax with family and friends over a delicious cocktail. Here are two of our favorite cocktails, along with some great Cambridge cocktail bars to choose from if you’re out and about.
WINTER CRANBERRY MARTINI
Our first cocktail comes from the minds at Swooned Magazine. It really puts a new twist on the classic gin martini. Add a splash of cranberry juice for a delicious taste that is sure to satisfy those looking for a cold treat.
For the Cocktail:
2 ounces of gin
1 ounce of vermouth
1 ounce of cranberry-infused syrup
For the Cranberry-infused syrup:
1 cup of fresh strawberries
3/4 cup of water
1/3 cup of sugar
Add the cranberry syrup components to a small pot on the stove. Stir. Cover with a lid and cook on medium for approximately 7-10 minutes or until the cranberries “pop.” Mash with a spoon and reduce the heat to low. Cook another 5 minutes until you notice the sides of the mix starting to gel on the pot. Strain by putting through a fine mesh sieve or use a tablespoon to remove only the juice for the cocktail.
Add ice, gin, and cranberry syrup to a cocktail shaker and shake to chill. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish.
SLOW-COOKER MULLED WINE
For those looking for a warmer drink on those cold nights, The View from Great Island has a terrific recipe.
1 bottle red wine
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp whole allspice berries
4 star anise
1/2 tsp whole cloves
5 whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed with the back of a spoon to expose the seeds
1/2 vanilla bean, slit down the center
a good grating of fresh nutmeg (about 1/4 tsp)
1/2 cup cranberry juice and 1/2 cup whole fresh cranberries
garnish each glass with a sprig of rosemary and a few cranberries
Put the water and sugar in the crock pot and turn on high. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients and heat until the wine just gets to a simmer. Then turn the dial to the ‘keep warm’ setting and let it sit for about 30 minutes before serving. You can strain the wine before serving, or not.
RP’S GUIDE TO BEST CAMBRIDGE COCKTAIL BARS
If you’re out and about in Cambridge and you want to leave the cocktail mixing to the experts, you might consider choosing one of our favorite Cambridge Cocktail Bars for your next get together. Enjoy!