Cranberry-Infused Vodka Drink: The No. 2

For those of us living in New England and other Northern areas of the world, November is a bittersweet time of year... emphasis on the bitter part of that sentiment. Sure, the foliage is nice, but the temperature is rapidly dropping and the piles of snow seem to be right around the corner.

I, for one, don't believe that summery drinks only belong in the warmer months. Instead, I will sip my light and fruity drinks even when when the mercury hovers around and below the freezing mark. That's why this next cranberry-infused vodka drink, The No. 2, will be perfect for this upcoming season as well as the rest of the year (not that it will last past Thanksgiving...)

This concoction is a twist on an old summer standard: the mojito. Traditionally made with white rum, lime juice, and freshly muddled mint, mojitos remind me of lazy summer afternoons basking in the sun. Vodka mojitos are less popular, though I am unsure why. I find mojitos made with vodka are a bit smoother and have less of a bite than its rum counterpart. I find them equally refreshing and this cranberry/lime/mint combination will find its way into your mouth and then inevitably into your heart.

Let's do this! The No. 2!

This drink is equally tasty and beautiful. Makes me forget it snows half the year here...

For this delightfully delicious drink you will need:

Tools:
A large glass (or perhaps even a Mason jar if you're into that aesthetic...)
A muddler or some other muddling instrument
A swizzle stick or some other stirring mechanism
A knife

Muddlers? Instruments of torture? You decide!

Ingredients:
3 oz Cranberry-infused vodka
6-10 Fresh mint leaves
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1.5 Tablespoon simple syrup
Soda water
Ice cubes
Lime and additional mint leaves for garnish

This one you make in the glass itself so you can get to the drinking part of your evening faster!

1. Muddle (fancy term for smush) your mint leaves in the bottom of your glass. You want to make sure that you crush them enough so that they release their oils and the real bold flavor of the mint shines through.
2. Add the vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup to the mint leaves and give everything a quick stir.
3. Plop in some ice cubes and add enough soda water so that you double the amount of liquid in your glass.
4. Stir everything again and add a lime wedge and some fresh mint for your garnish!
5. For best results, use a straw for this bevvy so you aren't risking getting hit in the face with ice cubes.

And then you're done! Congratulations, you've just made a super tasty drink and I didn't include sharing in the instructions so you are under no obligation to do so!

"Pro" Tip: If you made cranberry ice cubes, I would suggest using one for this drink! If you decided to get real fancy, a cranberry/mint ice cube would be a beautiful addition to this. But only use one, don't go crazy now.

Secondary "Pro" Tip: Feel free to adjust your sweetness or tart levels with this cocktail. Don't settle for a drink that you don't actually want to finish. Take a sip and add some more simple syrup or lime juice if your tongue wants it! My favorite thing about making drinks is the trial and error... I've given you a set of guidelines, now make it your own!

Check out the recipe for The No. 1 to find out how to make a sophisticated champagne drink. I also give you the recipe for simple syrup, in case you want a refresher on how to make it. Check it out here!

That's all for now, folks! 

Check back again in a few days for the classic and crisp next installment, The No. 3!

xoxo, Teele