Since that hasn't happened yet, I'm just gonna go with the flow. So, you know how Food Network Magazine has those awesome little inserts every month? They have titles like "50 Pies", "50 Potato Salads", "50 Super Bowl Snacks", "50 Smoothies", "50 Things to Make with Bacon"... those may be my favorite part of the whole magazine. I have a ton of them (okay, not a ton—but at least 27) stacked on my working bookshelf. They full of great ideas and inspiration. You probably know where I'm going with this.
Yes, there was one on cranberries. It was in the November '14 issue, and titled (surprisingly) "50 Things to Make with Cranberries". I'm thinking of trying all 50. Maybe that will make my little obsession disappear. Today, I'm checking two off the list—pickled cranberries, and the cocktail that they tumble perfectly into.
At first glance, this cocktail (and the pickled cranberries themselves) can be deceiving. My brain associates the plump crimson berries with a tart-sweetness. These are entirely savory. Sweet cocktail drinkers may not enjoy this, but those who like a good savory cocktail will (think Martini or a regular Gibson).
Pickled Cranberries
A simple recipe for pickling cranberries, that you can then use to make yourself a cocktail (a Dirty Cranberry Gibson).
by
Prep Time: 10 minutes (active)
Cook Time: n/a
Keywords: beverage dairy-free vegan cranberries fall winter
Ingredients (1-1/2 cups)
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
- 1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries
Instructions
Combine water, sugar, vinegar, salt, coriander, and crushed red chile flakes in a small pot and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.
Put the cranberries in a jar and pour the boiling liquid over them. Allow to cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate for at least for hours. Store covered in fridge.
Combine 2 ounces gin, 1/2 ounce dry vermouth, and 1/2 ounce of the pickled cranberry brine in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake until cold. Strain into a glass and garnish with a few of the pickled cranberries.
More boozy cranberry goodness:
Cranberry Gin Fizz from A Cocktail Life
Cranberry Moscow Mule from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Cranberry Old-Fashioned Cocktail from Girl Versus Dough
Cranberry Orange Dark and Stormy Cocktails from Food For My Family
Cranberry Spiced Rum Fizz from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Homemade Cranberry Liqueur from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
The Cranberry 75 Cocktail from Always Order Dessert
