Cranberry Ginger Moscow Mule

Ingredients for cocktail:

1 1/2 ounces vodka

3 tablespoons cranberry vanilla syrup

strong ginger beer

juice of 1 lime wedge and ice

Fill a glass halfway with ice. Add the vodka and cranberry vanilla syrup then fill to the top with ginger beer and stir vigorously until the syrup is completely blended with the liquor and ginger beer. Squeeze a lime wedge into the glass, stir again and serve.

You can modify this recipe many ways and use a flavored vodka with flavored liquors and complimentary fruit.

Cranberry Vanilla Syrup

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh cranberries, washed well

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1 vanilla bean, scraped

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1. Combine the cranberries, water, sugars, and vanilla beans in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the liquid has reduced and the mixture has thickened. The cranberries will begin to burst as they cook and if the syrup thickens too quickly you can add more water a few tablespoons at a time as needed.

2. Place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the cranberry vanilla mixture into the strainer. Gently press on the solids with a spatula to extract all of the syrup then discard the solids. Stir in the orange juice. Allow the syrup to cool then store in the refrigerator for up to a week.