SPARKLING CHRISTMAS COLLINS WITH CRANBERRY-LIME SYRUP 🎄🍹
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- Zest of 2 limes
- Juice of 3 limes
- 2 ounces gin (or vodka if preferred)
- Club soda or sparkling water (to top off)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Directions:
- To create the cranberry-lime syrup, start by rinsing the fresh cranberries under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll notice the cranberries begin to pop; this is a good sign that your syrup is being infused with flavor.
- After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and add the lime zest. Let the syrup cool down for approximately 30 minutes. Then, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids, pressing the cranberries to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Once you have your syrup, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- When you’re ready to serve, fill a Collins glass with ice cubes. Pour in 2 ounces of the homemade cranberry-lime syrup, followed by the juice of 3 limes and the gin.
- Top off the glass with club soda or sparkling water, stirring gently to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish your drink with a few whole cranberries, a sprig of fresh mint, and a slice of lime on the rim for a beautiful festive touch.
Additional Information:
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes (including cooling)
- Servings: Approximately 4-6 drinks
Notes:
Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or more lime juice to match your taste preferences. This recipe can easily be made non-alcoholic by omitting the gin and adding extra soda.
