Description
A festive and refreshing cocktail that combines the warm flavors of cinnamon with tart cranberry juice and smooth bourbon, finished with a splash of seltzer and garnished with sugared cranberries and cinnamon sticks. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cocktail
- Crushed ice for your glass
- 1 to 2 ounces cinnamon simple syrup
- 3 to 4 ounces cranberry juice (100% juice with no added sugar)
- 1 to 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 to 2 ounces seltzer water (orange flavored optional)
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Sugared cranberries for garnish or to add in the glass
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Simple Syrup: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine brown sugar, water, a cinnamon stick, and ground cinnamon. Whisk the mixture until the sugar dissolves completely. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then turn off the heat. Let it cool fully before stirring in vanilla extract. This syrup can be prepared up to two days in advance and refrigerated.
- Assemble the Cobbler Smash: Fill a glass with crushed ice. Stir together 1 to 2 ounces of the cinnamon simple syrup, 3 to 4 ounces of cranberry juice, and 1 to 2 ounces of bourbon. Alternatively, shake these ingredients in a cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds for a well-blended drink.
- Serve the Cocktail: Pour the mixed drink over the crushed ice in your glass. Top off the cocktail with 1 to 2 ounces of seltzer water (orange-flavored seltzer works especially well). Garnish with a cinnamon stick and sugared cranberries, either inside the glass or on top for an elegant touch.
Notes
- The cinnamon simple syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Adjust the amount of bourbon and syrup to your taste preferences for sweetness and strength.
- Use 100% cranberry juice without added sugar for a balanced tartness.
- Orange-flavored seltzer adds a nice complementary citrus note but plain seltzer works well too.
- Sugared cranberries can be prepared by coating fresh cranberries lightly in simple syrup and rolling them in sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cranberry cocktail, Bourbon cocktail, Holiday drink, Cinnamon syrup, Festive cocktail, Thanksgiving drink
