Frosted Cranberry Herb Drink (Printable)

A refreshing blend of cranberry syrup, fragrant herbs, and sparkling water chilled to perfection.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cranberry Syrup

01 - 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup water

→ Fresh Herbs

04 - 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
05 - 4 sprigs fresh thyme
06 - 4 sprigs fresh mint, plus extra for garnish

→ Beverage Base

07 - 2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
08 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - Ice cubes

→ Garnish

10 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar for frosting cranberries and herbs
11 - Extra cranberries and herb sprigs

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine cranberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the mixture thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Strain and allow to cool.
02 - Lightly moisten a selection of cranberries and herb sprigs. Roll them in granulated sugar until evenly coated. Set aside to dry.
03 - Place a small handful of ice in each glass. Add 1 tablespoon of the prepared cranberry syrup and one sprig each of rosemary, thyme, and mint to each glass.
04 - Pour 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water and a splash of lemon juice into each glass. Stir gently to combine the flavors.
05 - Top each drink with sugared cranberries and frosted herb sprigs. Serve immediately for optimal freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The frosted garnish looks like something from a restaurant, but it takes less than a minute to make.
  • You can prepare the syrup days ahead and assemble drinks in seconds when guests arrive.
  • The herbs add a savory depth that keeps it from tasting like just another sweet holiday punch.
02 -
  • Dont let the syrup boil hard or it will turn bitter, keep it at a gentle simmer.
  • If you frost the garnishes too early they will get sticky and clump together, do it just before assembling.
  • Stir sparingly or youll lose all the carbonation before anyone takes a sip.
03 -
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for ten minutes before serving so the drink stays cold longer.
  • If your sparkling water is flat, the whole drink falls apart, always check the bottle before you pour.
  • Press the herbs gently between your palms before adding them to release their oils and make the drink smell incredible.

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