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Drink and be merry with this easy and festive cranberry ginger fizz cocktail. Tart, sweet, spicy and a whole lot of fun!
Have I mentioned that I love ginger? And cranberries? And cocktails? And of course, the holidays. Well, it just so happens that this festive drink has all of my favorites in one sparkling sip. And lucky you, I’m sharing the recipe just in time for your holiday party.
Even though I’ve spent the week dragging out all of our Christmas decorations, I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it’s actually December. After all, we’re still dipping into the jar that’s stuffed full of candy from Halloween. (Just sayin those mini Butterfingers come in handy around my 3 pm crash.)
But ready or not, here the holidays come! To someone like myself who is a little, shall we say, obsessive organized about holiday decorating, this makes for a very busy week. See, I have a systematic plan. First we tackle the outside, then move inside and hit all of the rooms, and finally we we pile into the car in search of the perfect tree. Once the tree is firmly in place and (fingers crossed) it’s not listing to one side, we give it a day to settle and open up.
The next day I grab my trusty step ladder and string the lights just so. And by just so I mean making sure each branch is perfectly illuminated from trunk to tip. Finally, I lay out all of the ornaments (bulbs here, handmade decorations there) while Steve makes a fire and cranks up the carols. Once we’re all set up, we summon the kids and that tree gets trimmed.
I realize that this is not the most relaxed or romantic approach, and dare I say it borders on rigid, but it works for us. After close to twenty years of tree trimming together, Steve understands that I am always going to take twice as long as he would like to wrap the lights around the tree and I need to make sure that the bulb to ornament ratio is always carefully calculated. The most trying years were when the boys were really little and they would hang ten of our heaviest ornaments from a single branch. And yep, as soon as their backs were turned you know I redistributed. Don’t judge.
The reason for all the prepping and planning is simply because I want to make the most of our family time. I want the Norman Rockwell moment of sipping hot cocoa and getting nostalgic as the boys hang that popsicle stick creation crafted in kindergarten on the tree. I want the sweet moments to be their memories, not mommy and daddy bickering because the lights aren’t evenly distributed. And trust me, we’ve had plenty of those moments.
Once the task of decorating is complete, there is nothing I enjoy more than holiday entertaining. We’re not planning any big parties this year, but we’ll definitely be clinking glasses with lots of friends over the next few weeks and I’m all about festive cocktails to set the mood. Proseco with a splash of pomegranate juice is a favorite, as is anything cranberry.
This cranberry ginger fizz has everything I crave in a holiday drink. It’s ever so slightly sweet, has a touch of tartness from the cranberries and a hint of spice from the ginger. Garnish it with a couple of cranberries, a sprig of fresh mint, a festive straw, and it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy that perfectly trimmed tree.
Drink and be merry with this easy and festive cranberry ginger fizz cocktail. Tart, sweet, spicy and a whole lot of fun!
- 2 oz cranberry flavored vodka
- 1 oz ginger liqueur (such as Domaine de Canton)
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 3 oz good ginger ale
- cranberries, candied ginger, and mint sprig for garnish (optional)
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Combine all the ingredients in a glass over ice and stir well.
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Garnish with cranberries, a piece of candied ginger, and a mint sprig.
Cindy says
I love the Norman Rockwell reference. So funny how calculated us bakers can be even when we decorate the Xmas tree. We just know how to get it done, step by step, with only the sweetest of intentions! This cranberry fizz looks like it could hit the spot.
Cathy says
Right Cindy? I do have the occasional spontaneous moment, but I’m a planner at heart and a baker through and through.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I’m sure your home looks just gorgeous all decorated for the holidays Cathy! This cocktail will be perfect for all those holiday parties! It sounds delicious and looks just gorgeous!!
Cathy says
Thanks Mary Ann. I love the holiday decorations and the whole decorating process too!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Cheers Cathy! This looks like exactly what I want tonight! Looking forward to trying this one.
Cathy says
Thanks Karen! Hope you give it a try!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
I have three cats, so I have had get completely relaxed about my tree. It’s chained the ceiling and there is not a breakable ornament in sight. (And the cats tends to rearrange the ornaments whenever I’m not looking.) However, I would happily kick back with a cranberry ginger cocktail! Maybe it’ll help me forget my imperfect tree.
Cathy says
I’m so jealous of your cats Annemarie. We’re a house of allergies so no pets, sadly. I would trade a perfect tree for a houseful of cats any day!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Ain’t nothing wrong with wanting a Norman Rockwell moment!! I hope you get tons of them, Cathy! I actually like the way you take your time and perfectly tackle the Christmas decorating! I’m rather OCD, so I can appreciate a good plan. Looooove this cocktail! I am all about some festive and fun libations right now, and this one ticks all the boxes!! I’m definitely making this one soon! Pinned! Cheers!
Cathy says
Thanks Chey! And of course you’re in agreement about the planning. It takes one to know one! 🙂
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
The holidays are a time for family, which should be relaxing but we all know that it doesn’t always pan out that way. These cocktails will be perfect to take the edge off. Hope you have plenty of picture perfect moment this holiday season!
Cathy says
Totally agree Nicole! Sometimes a refreshing cocktail helps soften the edges for sure!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
That’s perfectly acceptable that you want everything to be perfect! Can’t blame ya! And when it is, then you can definitely sit back, relax and enjoy one of these beautifully festive cocktails. But, you know what? It’s all about creating those memories in the process and spending time together 🙂 I’m sure your tree and decorations will be gorgeous, Cathy! I can’t believe we are less than 2 weeks away from the big day. I always say, though, a big part of Christmas prep is leading up to and we have to enjoy every minute of it! Have a wonderful week!
Cathy says
Thanks for the moral support Dawn! And you’re so right…the days leading up are often so much sweeter than the actual holiday.
Natasha @ Salt & Lavender says
I love the look of this!! So refreshing. I think smaller holiday gatherings are much better than big ones. I’m an introvert so can only handle so much entertaining. 😛
Cathy says
Thanks Natasha! I go back and forth between big and small parties depending on mood and exhaustion!
Ruby & Cake says
Adding this to our christmas cocktail list. I love the colours – very holiday appropriate.
Cathy says
Thanks! I’m a sucker for a little green and red around the holidays.
annie@ciaochowbambina says
You’ve described a very beautiful scene… I must admit, your planning and prepping sounds a lot like mine… Salute, my friend!
Cathy says
Great minds Annie, great minds.