Cranberry Pear Cocktail

(Really Good) Cranberry Pear Cocktail

Servings: 2

Once a year, on Thanksgiving, I make cranberry sauce for one very special person in the family. Nobody else (including me) likes it. While the others handle clean-up, I’m in charge of storing the leftovers. This year, as I put away the cranberry sauce, I wondered: could this inspire an adult beverage? The result may just be my favorite creation of the season. Served with a jumbo, fruit-infused ice cube, you’ve just added the wow factor to an already fabulous cocktail. Best part...use diet ginger ale and drop half the calories.

Ingredients

3 T. cranberry sauce - no need for measurement perfection

3 oz. whipped cream or vanilla vodka

2 oz. pear liqueur (may substitute orange liqueur, but just not the same

2 oz. lime juice

1-2 t. maple syrup

Pinch of cinnamon

6-8 oz. ginger beer or ginger ale

Garnish: Any or all cranberries, orange, lemon, or pear slices, rosemary, cinnamon stick

Directions

Fill 8-oz glasses with ice. In mini-blender, puree cranberry sauce, vodka, pear liqueur, lime juice, and cinnamon. Pour over ice and top with ginger ale.

Presentation is everything...check out these Candy Cane Stirrers.

Here's a Thought!

I've gotta admit, my friends and I are hooked on this beverage, not to mention, it's a favorite with the girls at bunco. Now, rather than make individual drinks, I make a batch and store it in the fridge. Then, whenever friends stop by, or I feel like a cranberry beverage, all that's required is a glass, some ice, and a can of ginger beer or ginger ale.

1 14-oz. can of cranberry sauce, whole cranberry or jellied

2 c. whipped cream vodka

2 c. pear liqueur

1 c. lime juice

1/4 c. maple syrup

1/2 t. cinnamon

Store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days, but I'm pretty sure it won't last that long.