Jill’s Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Jill, my “old pal” (our affectionate greeting to each other), and I have been close friends for a long, long, glorious time. I was always jealous of her job— marketing “men’s bottoms” for an international company. Yes, she had to look at men modeling pants all day long and make decisions on what would sell and what wouldn’t. Jill throws a mean party and always has a “theme cocktail.” This one is easy and has layers of flavors that come through as you sip. I love “nibbling” on the sugared rim as I drink. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 4 Drinks

6 tablespoons cranberry syrup (see below)

6 ounces bourbon

4 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice

(use the orange that you zested for syrup)

1 cup cranberry juice

4 dashes orange bitters, such as angostura

Garnish (see below)

Shake together all ingredients with ice until frosty cold.

Garnish 4 glasses; add a large round ice cube.

Cranberry Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup pure maple syrup

8 ounces fresh cranberries

Zest from 1 medium orange

Bring all to a boil until cranberries burst.

Remove from heat and allow to sit overnight. Strain into a jar and refrigerate.

Garnishes

Thin rounds of orange slices

Sugared rosemary sprigs:
Rinse sprigs and then dip into a small plate of granulated sugar. Allow to dry overnight.

Keep the sugar for the rimmed glasses.

Sugar-rimmed glasses:
Put a small amount of the cranberry syrup onto a saucer; dip glasses into it and then into the granulated sugar.

NOTE

The strained cranberries are wonderful as a garnish for pork or turkey or on a meat and cheese platter. This is a great make-ahead party drink; mix in advance and add ice as guests arrive. Glasses can be easily rimmed the night before.