This is a bit of a misnomer, but that's what we called it because it was inspired by recipes of the same name. That said, next time I make this I will add an orange rind and/or grand marnier.
Ingredients
Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup
1/2cupcranberry juice
1/2cupbrown sugardark and/or light
1cinnamon sticks
2whole cloves
4cardamom pods
1fullstar anise, brooken
2orange peels3 x 3inch peels
Candied Cranberry Garnish
fresh cranberries
simple syrupenough to lightly coat
granulated sugarenough to coat
Cocktail
8ouncesbourbon or whiskey
8ouncescranberry juicewe used no sugar added
2ouncescranberry simple syruprecipe below
many dashes angostura bittersper taste, a couple dashes per serving
Instructions
Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan (same as you made the sugared cranberries in, including the leftover juice!) add cranberry juice, brown sugar, and whole spices (not the orange peel!).
Turn heat to high and stir occasionally until it reaches a boil and sugar is dissolved. Then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the orange peels and keep aside until cool. Strain into a jar and keep chilled until ready to use. Store in the fridge.
Sugared Cranberries
Toss your whole cranberries in just enough cool simple syrup to coat them. Allow them to dry a bit, then toss with sugar, and spread out on a rack to dry overight. (Note: Don't believe the recipes that say to cook the cranberries. They just get too soft to work with.)
Once they dry, you can use the stem of rosemary, or a toothpick to skewer them and some orange peels.
If using rosemary branches, here are 2 tips: 1) remove the rosemary leaves for the part you want to go through the fruit, leaving some leaves at the top as beautiful and fragrant garnish. 2) Unless you have nicely whittled the bottoms of your rosemary branches, it can be helpful to first pierce a hole with a toothpick, then put in the rosemary.
Batch Cocktail
In your large serving container, mix bourbon, cranberry juice, spiced cranberry simple syrup (and maybe Grand Marnier next time). You can mix it ahead and let it sit, tightly covered.
When ready to serve/party, put it out with the garnishes, ice, and a nice glass. Might be helpful to have the below serving notes posted unless you have someone manning the bar:
Get your glass and add a bit of ice. Add your desired amount of cocktail and garnish with candied orange peels, sugared cranberries and/or rosemary.
Notes
Next time I also want to try some Candied Orange Peel as another garnish!