This is an alternative to my favourite Cranberry Sparkler cocktail, it is just as versatile and can be made non-alcoholic by leaving out the gin/vodka and sparkling wine.

The cranberry simple syrup is a mixture of sweet and slightly tart, and added to the spicy ginger beer and the fragrance of the rosemary it’s a comforting and fun drink that’s a great choice for cosy Christmas evenings.

Sugared Cranberry Garnish

To make the sparkling sugared cranberry garnish, bring 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water to a simmer over a low heat. Remove from heat before it starts to boil, pour the syrup over two cups of cranberries, and refrigerate overnight. Drain the cranberries the next day and let them dry a few minutes until sticky. Roll them in caster sugar and dry them in a single layer for an hour or two.

Cranberry Simple Syrup – makes 1 1/2 cups

• 2 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

In a medium saucepan, bring the cranberries, sugar and water to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the cranberries are tender but haven’t burst, this will take around 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the cranberries.

Mistletoe Mule – makes 1 cocktail

• 50 mls cranberry simple syrup 
• 50 mls gin or vodka
• 100 mls chilled ginger beer
• Sparkling wine
• 1 rosemary sprig
• orange slice, for garnish
• sugared cranberries, for garnish

Combine the cranberry simple syrup and gin. Pour over ice and add the ginger beer.  Top up with the sparkling wine.  Serve with a garnish of rosemary, orange slice and sugared cranberries if using. 

Image credit: Home Sweet Jones