Cranberry Spritz
Recipe from Kia Damon
Two things can be true: Canned cranberry sauce can be unappealing and fresh cranberries can be a delight. It didn’t feel right to completely erase cranberry from the Friendsgiving agenda, so I found a better home for her among the beverage options. I’m a nonalcoholic girly, hence the club soda and sparkling grape juice. If you’re feeling boozy, opt for prosecco or Champagne. Enjoy all fall and winter.
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What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 2 oranges
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Ice
- 1 liter club soda
- 1 bottle sparkling white grape juice
Directions
Step 1
With a vegetable peeler, pull off a strip of orange zest 2 inches long. Cut the rest of the orange into slices to use as a garnish and set aside.
Step 2
In a large pot, combine the orange zest, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, thyme, and 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the cranberries burst and the liquid reduces by half, about 8 minutes. Strain the syrup, discarding the solids, and let it cool completely.
Step 3
To assemble a drink, fill a short glass or coupe with ice, drizzle in 2 tablespoons of the syrup, and top with club soda or sparkling grape juice. Finish the rim with an orange slice rubbed along it for fun.