GIN CHRISTMAS

Gin isn’t the first liquor you think of when it comes to warm drinks, but in this case the cranberry and mint combine to create a tea-based beverage that will warm you up on a cold winter night. Spice it up with a candy cane to give it that Christmasy feel. As with all warm drinks, this is one for which you’ll want to make sure you use a jar with a handle.

Makes 1 serving.

6 oz mint tea (hot)

2 oz gin

1 oz cranberry simple syrup (see sidebar below)

1/2 lemon (juiced)

1 peppermint stick

1 lemon slice (garnish)

1. On the stove, boil the water, then add a mint tea bag. Let sit until the tea is ready.

2. Add the gin, cranberry simple syrup, and lemon juice to your Mason jar and stir together.

3. Strain the hot water and mint mixture into the jar and discard the used leaves. Stir again. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a peppermint stick and enjoy!

You’ll quickly notice that many cocktails call for simple syrup. You could always just add sugar and water to your drinks, but it usually isn’t the same. Fortunately, simple syrup is as simple to make as its name suggests. Simply combine water and sugar in a 1:1 ratio and boil! As it boils, you’ll see it become increasingly cloudy. Don’t worry—by the time you’re done, the syrup will be completely clear. That’s how you know it’s done! For Gin Christmas, dice cranberries and add them to the pot when you boil your sugar and water.