Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Water (Filtered water recommended)
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Standard white sugar)
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Cranberries (Whole berries, rinsed)
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks (Whole sticks, not powder)
  • 3 whole pods Star Anise
  • 5 whole Cloves
  • 3 cups Bourbon Whiskey (High-proof, good quality)
  • 1 cup Fresh Orange Juice (Freshly squeezed)
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed)
  • 5 cups Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup (Prepared syrup)
  • 1 Tbsp Angostura Bitters
  • Soda Water / Sparkling Water (Chilled, for topping)
  • Ice (For serving)
  • Orange wheels/slices (For garnish)
  • Fresh cranberries (For garnish)
  • A sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme (For garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 2 minutes). Use the back of a spoon to gently press/smash the cranberries against the side of the pot to release their juice and colour.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover, and allow the syrup to steep for a minimum of 30 minutes (up to 1 hour for deeper flavor).
  4. Pour the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean container, discarding the solids and spices. Cover and chill until needed.
  5. Pour the Bourbon, freshly squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, the chilled Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup, and the Angostura bitters into the large pitcher or punch bowl.
  6. Stir the mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds to ensure the ingredients are fully married. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour (optional, but recommended).
  7. Fill the serving glasses generously with large ice cubes. Pour approximately 3/4 of the chilled cocktail mixture into each glass. Top each serving with a splash of chilled soda water or sparkling water. Garnish each drink with an orange wheel skewered with fresh or frozen cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary or thyme. Serve immediately.