Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 6 (1-by-3-inch) strips orange zest, plus extra for serving
- 1 cup water
- 1 (750-millileter) bottle good vodka, such as Grey Goose
- 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail, preferably tart
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- ice
Chef notes
Infuse the vodka with the orange zest and cranberries at least two days ahead. I like to use a vegetable peeler to make strips of orange zest — it’s so easy. Best of all, you can prepare the entire cocktail mixture and refrigerate it for up to three days. Just shake with ice before serving.
Preparation
Several days ahead:
Place the sugar, cranberries, 6 strips of orange zest, and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, until the cranberries start to pop open. Pour the vodka into a large pitcher, add the cranberry mixture, and store covered in the refrigerator for at least 2 days and up to 5 days.
When ready to serve:
Strain the vodka mixture, reserving the cranberries and discarding the orange zest. Stir in the cranberry juice cocktail and Triple Sec. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the drink mixture, shake for a full 30 seconds (it's longer than you think!), and strain into martini glasses. Rub the rim of each glass with fresh orange zest, spoon a few cranberries into each glass and serve ice cold.
