Cranberry Orange Mule Food

THANKSGIVING MULES

Steps:

• Put the dried cranberries in a small bowl and add enough simple syrup to cover. Let soak until slightly softened, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, chill 4 copper mule mugs in the freezer.
• For each drink, combine 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce each orange juice and cranberry juice and 1/2 ounce simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with large ice cubes and shake vigorously. Add 1 ounce ginger beer, seal the shaker again and gently twist the shaker back and forth once (this will combine the drink without making the ginger beer go flat). Strain into a chilled copper mule mug and fill with fresh ice. Garnish with a few of the soaked cranberries.

CRANBERRY, ORANGE AND PROSECCO

Steps:

• In a saucepan, cook the cranberries with the sugar until they render some juice, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• On a work surface, use a knife to cut the peel from the oranges. Cut between the membranes and divide into sections (supremes).
• When ready to serve, pour a spoonful of the cranberry mixture in a glass with a few orange supremes. Top with prosecco.

CRANBERRY-BLOOD ORANGE SPRITZ

Steps:

• Stir together sugar, cranberries, orange slices, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until cranberries just start to burst, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Remove orange slices; discard. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
• In a pitcher, combine syrup, vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. Serve over crushed ice, with mint and fresh orange slices.

CRANBERRY MULE

Steps:

• Make the Whole-Berry Cranberry Simple Syrup: Stir together sugar, cranberries, lime zest, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high, stirring constantly, until cranberries just start to burst, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
• Make the cocktail: Fill a 12-ounce glass with ice cubes. Stir in vodka, lime juice, ginger beer, and 3 tablespoons cranberries and syrup from Whole-Berry Cranberry Simple Syrup. Garnish with lime rounds.