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A Cranberry Boulevardier Cocktail is a festive holiday twist on the classic cocktail. With an easy-to-make homemade cranberry shrub, this boulevardier is tangy, bright and flavorful. It’s the ideal cocktail to serve up before any holiday meal you have planned this season!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Breckenridge Distillery! As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
Christmas is commmmming…..
Are you just so over-the-moon, leaping-out-of-your-socks, jumping-with-joy excited?!
I feel like a giddy little child right now. The anticipation of celebrating with family and friends, the magic in the air every time I step outside, and everyone suddenly being in a happy mood sure does bring me right back to the childhood joy I had when I was young.
Of course, now that I am an adult, I get to enjoy the benefits of adult drinks to ring in the merriest season of all.
WOOT.
I have recently become a big fan of the classic boulevardier cocktail. It’s sultry with a little nip of whiskey bite at the end of each sip. What’s not to love about that?
Usually it’s served up with a rye whiskey, but I’ve been playing with my favorite Breckenridge Distillery bourbon and it’s exactly what this classic cocktail needs. The bourbon is smooth with just a little bit of a bite, making it just the right accompaniment for the boulevardier cocktail.
Breckenridge Distillery bourbon is simply my favorite (and I swear, it’s not only because it’s local!). The flavor they impart into their bourbon (and other spirits, now that I mention it) is unreal. It’s so much more rich and bold than other bourbons that I’ve tried, making it just the right fit for this bold holiday version of this cocktail.
With the addition of a homemade cranberry shrub, the boulevardier becomes all festive and bright, just in time for Christmas! The tang of the shrub is a wonderful addition to balance out the smoothness of the cocktail and the richness of the bourbon.
I love serving these up right before a big meal to wet the appetite!
It pairs especially well with a variety of meats and cheeses, cleansing your palate between each pairing you try 🙂
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Don’t forget to check out the other holiday recipes I’ve shared for the 12 Days of Jolly Giveaways (Day 10’s cookware giveaway is still open!)!
One – Red Wine Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu
Two – Gingerbread Challah Bread
Three – Mini Beef Wellingtons
Four – Bourbon Gingerbread Punch
Five – Twice-Baked Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Potatoes
Six – Head Country BBQ Prize Pack
Seven – White Chocolate Dipped Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Eight – Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria
Nine – How to Make Craft Beer Cocktails, Part One
Ten – Salmon Chowder
Eleven – Cranberry Boulevardier
This Recipe’s Must Haves
To get the look that you see in this post, pick up a pair of these coupe glasses!
I love to make this cocktail in a cocktail mixing glass with a cocktail spoon because it’s elegant and makes the best drinks.
Finally, you’ll need a saucepan to make the cranberry spice shrub!
Cranberry Boulevardier
ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 8 cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 oz. Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon Whiskey
- 3/4 oz homemade cranberry shrub
- 1/2 oz. Campari
- 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
- 1 orange or lemon peel
instructions
- To make the cranberry shrub, bring water, cranberries, sugar, cloves and cardamom to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently until the cranberries are soft, approximately 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a mason jar. Using the back of a spoon to press down the cranberries and extract as much just as possible, without pushing any of the solids through.
- Stir in the vinegar and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use. This mixture can be kept for several months in the refrigerator.
- To make the cocktail, add whiskey, cranberry shrub, Campari, and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass or empty cocktail shaker. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with orange or lemon twist.
Rebecca says
I’m a rum drinker… particularly coconut rum… on a beach somewhere… lol
Lisa Stover says
I actually prefer gin or vodka. Dark liquors just don’t seem to agree with me very well.
Karen D says
I’m not too fond of hard liquor. Homemade gin is good on occasion (can’t afford the good stuff, so I make my own). Rum, but NO cola
Karen D says
FB link is bad, should be https://www.facebook.com/BreckDistillery/
Annamarie V says
I do like bourbon, we did a trip a couple of years ago on the Kentucky bourbon trail and it was so much fun.
Kim Henrichs says
Oh I love me some good bourbon!!!!
crystal allen says
i love a good bourbon on the rocks during the holidays!
Kim Merselis says
Definitely a gin girl! Dirty martinis all day!
Jennifer S. says
Although I don’t drink much, I’m a vodka gal, including flavored vodka shots.
Jenny Skidmore says
I rarely consume alcohol. I haven’t tried gin or bourbon.
DealinDiva says
I like a nice chilled glass of bourbon.
Ann says
Give me a top shelf margarita any day. I’m still digging anything prickly pear or my latest yummy – arg cherry.
Kristen says
I love ginger beer and whiskey!
Kesha says
Makers Mark is the best
Michele C says
Bourbon is my go to choice in most every situation.
Will says
Scotch is the spirit for me!
Judith Rontal says
gin for sure
Karrie Millheim says
I prefer gin..taste so good
manda shank says
I lived in Kentucky for two years… Buffalo Trace bourbon is my favorite.
Tina W says
We are all about the BOURBON in this house. For drinking and for baking.
Misrii - Homemade Food says
Scotch these sound awesome. Thanks for sharing this.
http://www.misrii.com/