Holiday mule

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 oz gin or vodka
• 2 oz chilled ginger beer
• 1 rosemary sprig
• orange slice, for garnish
• sugared cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

Combine simple syrup, cranberry juice, and gin. Pour over ice and top with ginger beer. Serve garnished with rosemary, orange wedge and sugared cranberries, if desired.

Cranberry thyme gin and tonic

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Splash of orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Fresh English Thyme leaves
• Gin of choice
• Tonic of choice

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, mix together the cranberries, sugar, water, splash of orange juice and vanilla extract. 
2. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, pressing the cranberries with the back of your spoon until they pop. 
3. Add the fresh thyme and smash with the back of your spoon--this will release its aromatics.
4. To assemble the cocktail, add about 1 fluid ounces of syrup to each glass. 
5. Top with a few cubes of ice, 2 fluid ounces of gin and then top with tonic. Mix and garnish with fresh sprigs of thyme.

Pomegranate and Orange Sangria

Ingredients

• 750 ml of red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon
• 237 ml brandy
• 237 ml pomegranate juice
• 237 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 pomegranate, arils removed
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, stir together the wine, brandy, pomegranate juice, and orange juice. Add orange slices, pomegranate arils, cranberries and cinnamon stick. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
2. Serve with ice cubes.