Earlier in December my cousin Beth sent me an email that had two recipes attached. One written by my grandmother and the other from my uncle. I learned two things in that moment, my Grandmother had beautiful handwriting and that my uncle enjoyed festive cocktails. The recipe from my grandmother was for a Caramel Pecan Cake and the other a drink recipe from my uncle. His recipe took about 5 weeks to brew. I had to come up with a more timely solution to enjoy this family favorite during the holiday season.

INGREDIENTS

Cranberry Simple Syrup

2 and 1/4 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Rind of an orange

Cocktail

2 ounces vodka, Castle and Key is my preference, its Kentucky made

2 ounces cranberry syrup

Orange twist

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, bring cranberries, sugar, and water and orange rind to a simmer over medium heat, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until cranberries are tender but haven't burst, 10 minutes. Let cool, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard cranberries.

2. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, pour in cranberry simple syrup and vodka, shake until chilled, pour cocktail into ice filled glass, garnish with an orange twist and a festive stirrer. Cheers!

   Yields: 1 Serving

   Enjoy this festive family cocktail with my Grandmothers . Serve with a a big bowl of Very Vegetarian Dip and cut up vegetables dipping. Cheers!