Clausmopolitan: A Vodka Cranberry Cocktail

Recipe: Erin Wilson , Session Cocktails , Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Photo: Niki Beck

December 13, 2023

Clausmopolitan holiday vodka cranberry cocktail

When planning your next holiday spread, grab an extra can of jellied cranberry sauce to mix up this festive vodka cranberry cocktail from Session Cocktails in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “The flavor mirrors that of Christmas cranberry sauce—slightly tart, subtly spiced, and just the right touch of sweetness,” says the drink’s creator, Erin Wilson.

Ingredients

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. spiced cranberry syrup
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. demerara syrup
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
__________________________
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
1 cup cranberry juice
1/4 can jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 orange (zest and juice)
1/4 tsp. clove
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg
1 cinnamon stick

Tools:shaker, strainer, fine strainer
Glass:coupe
Garnish:fresh rosemary

Preparation

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker. Shake for about 7 seconds and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish.

Spiced Cranberry SauceZest and juice the oranges. Set aside the zest and add the juice to a medium pot with all other ingredients except the spices. Toast the spices in a separate pan until aromatic. Add to the pot with the other ingredients and bring to a boil. Add the zest and reduce the heat to a simmer for about 30 minutes. Let cool and then strain out the spices and zest. Yields about 2 cups of syrup. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.