Cranberry-Infused Vodka Drink: The No. 3

When it comes to making a mixed drink, I sometimes like to get a little cocky and use a lot of ingredients to make it look like I know what I'm doing. I imagine that I am a mad scientist concocting a super serum or a witch making a deadly potion (usually that's a sign that I should stop testing all of my creations..)

My music teacher in high school used to urge us to not try anything fancy with our voices or to put too much thought into a piece that could ruin the message of it. He would call out "K-I-S-S. Keep it simple, stupid!" He really was a darling man, though his methods were occasionally unorthodox. Either way, he's right. We can try making things complicated, because it's fun or makes us seem better than we really are, but that doesn't mean we will end up with a better final product. This can also go for cocktail concocting.

I've applied the KISS method to this latest drink, The No. 3. It's really simple and focuses only on two flavors: cranberry and lime. This is a twist on yet another classic. Back in my younger years when I was a liquor novice (and OBVIOUSLY over 21....) the vodka-cranberry was a go-to drink. In hindsight, the bottom-shelf spirit and scant amounts of cranberry juice was something akin to a mind eraser in a Solo cup. My version relies on the simplicity of cranberry and lime flavors - with a little bit of sparkle, of course. Much more adult, much more festive, a lot less sticky and regrettable than things that remind me of red Solo cups.

Ah, the red Solo cup. So many, erm, hazy memories?

For The No. 3, you will need the following tools:

A medium-sized glass
A shaker
A knife

And the following ingredients:

3 oz Cranberry-infused vodka
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1.5 Tablespoons simple syrup
4 oz Soda water
Lime for garnish

I'm a simple girl. All I want is somebody to love...
 ...and an ice cold cocktail, dammit.

Let's get shakin'!

1. Combine vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker full of ice.
2. Shake that ish up until it's REALLY cold. I'm serious.
3. Pour combination with rocks into your glass. "Rocks" is bar lingo for ice. "Ice" and "rocks" are both slang for diamonds. I do not recommend using diamonds for this cocktail. *The more you know*
4. Top with soda water and give a stir or two with your straw.
5. Cut a wedge of lime and make your drink look fancy.

And then you're done! I wasn't exaggerating about the easiness, nor will I stretch the truth about its tastiness. IT'S DANG GOOD, PEOPLE. However, I like my drinks really tart and I recognize that other people don't necessarily share my inclination. So if you prefer a more mild taste to your vodka drink, don't use as much lime juice.

"Pro" Tip: Not only is this a beautiful looking drink, it's also easily festive. Though I'm promoting this drink for Thanksgiving, it is red and green and rather reminiscent of another holiday. Garnish a more Christmas-y drink with a lime and a maraschino cherry on a toothpick. Ta Da! A versatile drink that you can customize to fit the holiday or season. Note: Thirsty Thursdays are considered holidays.

Secondary "Pro" Tip: These drinks are best consumed not only when they're ice cold, but when you share them with other people. Test your drinks out solo so you've got the proportions you like, but make sure to spread the love by sharing some of your creations. People are less likely to believe that you can make a tasty drink if you never let others try it.

That's all from me for this week, folks. Check back next week for the final drink of my Thanksgiving cocktail series using my cranberry-infused vodka *cue lamenting violin music*

xoxo, Teele

Want to make some cranberry-infused vodka? Check here for the recipe and my suggestions for the creation process.

Check out The No. 1 for the first recipe of the series and a quick refresher on simple syrup and fruit garnishes.

Check out The No. 2 for a vodka mojito and some scintillating commentary on life and libations.