Cranberry Ginger Gin Fizz

Andrew and I decided to host cocktails and appetizers at our house before everyone went our for New Year's Eve last week. We made sure to have plenty of beer and wine on hand, but we also wanted to serve up a cocktail of sorts. It has been a very odd winter here this year, aka snow in Scottsdale on Thursday (unheard of), I wanted to do something festive. I muddled cranberry simple syrup, oranges, and lemons, and soaked them in gin before straining and topping with a hit of ginger ale. These were refreshing, but also kind of suck up on you quickly! I may or may not have had 2 and been feeling nice and toasty on a cold NYE night. Try this big batch cocktail for your next gathering, and if you instagram be sue to tag your photos with #hdfb and me at @hotdogfoodblog.

Cranberry Ginger Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 3 lemons, sliced
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 4 cups gin
• 3 cups ginger ale

In a pot bring the sugar and water up to a boil, whisking until the sugar completely dissolves. Add in the cranberries and simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes until the cranberries begin to pop open and soften. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely to room temperature or in the fridge before making the cocktails.

When you are ready to make the batch of cocktails add the cranberry simple syrup to a large pitcher, the oranges, and the lemon slices. Using a large wooden spoon or a muddler, mash the fruit all together, getting as much juice out of the oranges and lemons as you can. Pour in the gin and allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes.

Using a fins strainer, strain the infused gin into another pitcher. Feel free to squeeze any excess juice from the fruit as you can into the pitcher. Place in the fridge to stay cool until you are ready to serve.

To serve pour 1/2 cup of the infused gin into a cup over ice. Top with 1/4 cup of ginger ale and stir.