NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

It is still cranberry season, and it would not be fair of me not to share cranberry gin with you.  In the height of holiday planning, wrapping gifts, entertaining, and traveling, I got a wild whim to make cranberry gin.  I mean, why not add just one more thing to my to-do list.  I had seen a recipe floating around the Internet, and I was intrigued as I do love to flavor gins and vodkas with fruit or herbs.  Unfortunately, I could not find the recipe, and all I remember is that it was made with gin, cranberries and sugar.  So I winged it.

The process is simple.  I took a bag of fresh cranberries (12 ounces) and lightly macerated them.  Then I divided them between two mason jars, which I filled with a bottle of gin (one bottle divides nicely between two large jars).  After putting the lid on (yes, I just told you to do that), I gave the jars a shake, shake, shake and slipped them into the freezer.  There they sat for two weeks.  Once the gin was a lovely shade of pink, I strained it through 2 layers of cheesecloth.  Re-bottled the gin into the original bottle;  did I forgot to mention, do not toss out the gin bottle!  Once the gin is re-bottled slip it back into the freezer to enjoy.  You may be wondering where the sugar gets added?  I did not want the gin to be overly sweet as I was planning to use it in cocktails, so I did not add any sugar.  The gin is perfect on its own over ice;  slightly tart (thank you cranberries) with a juniper berry undertone.  It just needs a little twist to complete this on the rocks beverage.  Very refreshing.

Now on to the cocktails ….  The obvious cocktail to make is a pink gin and tonic.  Or how about pink ramos fizzes;  perfect for a romantic breakfast in bed.  How about making your partner “blush” with this romantic cocktail.  I thought this would be perfect for Valentines’s Day.  Oh, did I mention, I am in the mood to do girly things for Valentines day this year.  I never do anything beyond a card and making a special dinner at home.  Sounds like any ole day doesn’t it?  I have been thinking traditions and romance a lot lately, and I confessed to Lenny, today, that he may be seeing some hearts floating around pre-February 14.

Blush cocktail is a romantic and whimsically cocktail made with cranberry gin, St. Germain, Bitter Lemon and rhubarb bitters, and it will definitely put you in the mood for love.

Happy pre-Valentine’s Day!

**  after searching online for cranberry gin, I moved onto “pink gin” which opened another cocktail door.  There is such a thing as pink gin, and it is a cocktail that was made fashionable by the British and is basically gin with a dash of pink Angostura bitters with a little lemon rind as a garnish.  Served simply in a chilled glass.  Cannot wait to venture deeper into the history of pink gin.

Print

Blush Cocktails

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cranberry gin
• 1 ounces st. germain
• 4 dashes rhubarb bitters
• 4 ounces bitter lemon (we like to use Fever Tree)
• ice cubes

Instructions

1. In a stirring beaker add the ice cubes, gin, st. germain and bitters.
2. Stir.
3. Strain into a pretty glass.
4. Top off with bitter lemon.
5. Serve.
6. Drink.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin

2.2

http://chezus.com/2013/01/17/cranberry_gin_blush_cocktail/

© Denise for Chez Us, 2013. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bitters Lemon, Blush Cocktail, Cocktails, Cranberry Gin, Drinks, Pink Gin, Rhubarb Bitters, st. germain, Valentine's Day

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh