Drinks and Cocktails
Cranberry Orange Gin Fizz with Thyme Recipe
This vibrant cocktail blends the tartness of fresh cranberries with zesty orange and an earthy herbal note of thyme. It is a refreshing, bubbly drink that looks stunning in a glass and tastes like a holiday celebration in every sip.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 195 kcal
Method
Prepare the syrup by combining the cranberries, sugar, water, and 4 thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Simmer the mixture for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the liquid has thickened slightly and turned deep red.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Once cool, strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the juice.
Fill four highball glasses with ice cubes.
To each glass, add 1.5 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of fresh orange juice, and 1 ounce of the prepared cranberry-thyme syrup.
Stir the mixture gently with a long spoon to incorporate the syrup.
Top each glass with club soda until full.
Garnish each drink with a fresh orange slice and a remaining sprig of thyme before serving.
Notes
Always use fresh-squeezed orange juice for a brighter, more aromatic cocktail than bottled versions provide.
The cranberry-thyme syrup can be made up to a week in advance; just keep it chilled in a sealed jar.
For a more intense thyme flavor, slap the thyme sprig garnish against your palm before adding it to the glass to release the essential oils.
Freeze some extra whole cranberries to use as festive ice cubes that won't dilute your drink as they melt.
