Yield 6
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
¼ cup honey
½ cup water
1 Tbsp clove buds
4 cinnamon sticks
3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
2 medium organic oranges, each cut into 8 wedges
3 cups sparkling water
Optional Garnish:
Additional cinnamon sticks
6 long rosemary sprigs, lower leaves removed and threaded with fresh cranberries
Recipe by James Larcus
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Yield 6
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
¼ cup honey
½ cup water
1 Tbsp clove buds
4 cinnamon sticks
3 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
2 medium organic oranges, each cut into 8 wedges
3 cups sparkling water
Optional Garnish:
Additional cinnamon sticks
6 long rosemary sprigs, lower leaves removed and threaded with fresh cranberries
Directions
1. Add cranberries, honey, water, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a small saucepan and place over medium heat.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the honey is melted and the spices are intensely fragrant.
3. Remove from heat and transfer to a large glass or another non-reactive bowl. Add cranberry juice, orange wedges, and vodka, if using. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight.
4. Once thoroughly chilled, remove from the refrigerator and firmly squeeze each orange wedge into the bowl to capture the juice before discarding.
5. Strain the mixture with a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
6. To serve, fill serving glasses with ice and add enough of the seasoned cranberry juice mixture to fill each glass about 1/3 full. Top off each glass with sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and sweeten with additional honey, if desired.
7. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and/or rosemary skewers, and serve immediately.