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Sometimes that eggnog and hot buttered rum just doesn’t hit the spot. When you want to serve a cocktail that feels like the holidays, but isn’t one of the classics you always see, try this spiced cranberry negroni for Holiday a twist on an Italian classic… and something your guests probably haven’t tried recently. The flavors of a classic cranberry sauce spiced with orange zest and cinnamon is paired with the bitter notes of clove, cinnamon, and citrus of campari, the freshness of gin, and depth of sweet vermouth to create a truly interesting holiday sipper.

Holiday cocktail in christmas bauble with pink and red decor

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I know that the bitter notes of campari can be difficult for some, but hear me out on this drink. While a traditional negroni has either devoted followers or haters, this twist on the original offers a more balanced approach to appeal to the holiday guest. It may even be a way to convert some people over to join you for some amazing aperol spritz and negronis next summer when you host your next cocktail party.

Spiced Cranberry Syrup

Before you can make this cocktail you have to first make the spiced cranberry syrup. The best part of this recipe, is you have some tasty spiced cranberry sauce in the end as well!

Makes approximately 1 cup of syrup

  • 1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries rinsed and de-stemmed (16 oz) – you can substitute frozen, just decrease the water by 1/4 cup
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 zest of orange

Directions: Put all ingredients in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring so that sugar does not burn, until sugar is fully dissolved and berries have cooked and are bursting. Smash the berries with a spoon and continue to cook until liquid has reduced some and will coat the spoon slightly. This takes around 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool. Separate the liquid from the berries. Keep the cranberry sauce to use for a holiday appetizer. Reserve the liquid to use in the Negroni cocktail or other holiday drinks!

Cocktail in glass with holiday baubles

A Holiday Twist on the Negroni: Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail (scroll below for a batch recipe)

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1 oz spiced cranberry syrup

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker* over ice and shake. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large cube of ice* in a rocks glass—your choice!

Batch Holiday Cocktail Recipe: Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail

Makes 6 cocktails

  • 6 oz gin
  • 6 oz campari
  • 6 oz sweet vermouth
  • 6 oz cranberry juice
  • 6 oz spiced cranberry syrup
  • 3 oz water

Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher and chill in fridge. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large cube of ice in a rocks glass—your choice!

TIP: I’ll be pouring these into ornaments and chilling in fridge. Guests can then pour the chilled drink directly from their ornament and into their glass! I use the clear ornaments* that can be cleaned out with soap and water. I remove the metal insert and use plastic wrap to seal the bauble and cover with the metal cap. However, I’m sure that some companies are making these baubles with caps on them just for this use now-a-days, I just haven’t used them before!

Holiday cocktail overhead shot with pink and red decor

This year, instead of having the boring old-standbys for your holiday party, spice things up with this Spiced Cranberry Negroni Cocktail. Suddenly your party will be more interesting and intellectual. Your guests will agree that you are the absolute best and no one else will have a holiday party like yours. I am sure of it. 😉

These are his puppy dog eyes. Break my heart.

I decided this week to enter in The Paper Mama’s Photo Challenge. The subject was “smile.” Now, my kid smiles all the time unless I ask him to. 🙂 Taking these photos I fell in love with my kid all over again. He is pretty amazing. I still can’t believe that he is my son. I am a very lucky woman.

I’ve also linked this post to The Paper Mama’s Wordless{ish} Wednesday linky party, Jenni from the Blog, Project Alicia, Sarah Halstead: The Naptime MomTOG, and Bree: His Honey and Her Mommy

I had to get a new doctor due to my move. I was pretty thrilled that I had several options at my new doctor’s office. The lady I picked is a MD, OB, and Acupuncturist. While I have never even considered acupuncture before, I suspected that she would be more whole body health centered than just the throw medicine at a problem type of doctor.

And, I was entirely right. I’ve been having a lot of health and pain problems recently. While she is getting me some blood work and has given me quite a few diet suggestions. She also highly recommended QiGong to help with my pain issues and lose weight. She said it would work “magic” in decreasing my stress levels as well. And, that little bit sold me on at least giving it a shot.

She suggested that I try Qi Gong for Low Back Pain with Lee Holden and 7 Minutes of Magic – AM & PM Routines with Lee Holden.

While those are on order I’ve been trying to do a few moves I’ve found on YouTube. I always feel silly doing yoga-like moves. But, I can’t deny how much better I feel afterwards.

What is your favorite type of low-impact exercise?  Have you done types of yoga before? What about acupuncture?

I’ll most likely let you all know how Qi Gong goes for me as time moves on. Here is hoping for the best!