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Cranberry Bourbon Smash

A festive and cozy cocktail combining bourbon, cranberry, orange, and rosemary, perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Cocktail, Drink
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 225

Ingredients
  

Cocktail Base
  • 1.5 oz 1½ oz bourbon Choose a mid-range bourbon for best flavor.
  • 1.5 oz 1½ oz orange juice Freshly squeezed is preferred.
  • 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon jellied cranberry sauce For a smoother texture, use jellied sauce.
  • 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon honey Maple syrup can be substituted for a deeper flavor.
  • 1.5 oz 1½ oz 100% cranberry juice Ensure it's 100% juice for best flavor.
  • 0.5 sprig ½ sprig fresh rosemary, chopped Chop finely for better infusion of flavor.
  • 1 splash 1 splash ginger ale Add just a splash to avoid sweetness overpowering.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Add the bourbon, orange juice, jellied cranberry sauce, cranberry juice, honey, and chopped rosemary to a cocktail shaker. Muddle together until well combined.
  2. Fill a serving glass with ice to keep the drink cold.
  3. Shake the mixture gently in the shaker and strain it over the ice in the prepared glass.
  4. Top the cocktail with a splash of ginger ale and give it a gentle stir.
  5. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with a small rosemary sprig or cranberries.

Notes

This cocktail is fast to make and goes well with many holiday dishes. Store the mixture (without ice or ginger ale) in the fridge for up to 2 days. Avoid freezing the finished drink.