This is my favorite holiday cocktail. A festive cranberry shrub that is lightly sweetened with maple syrup and gently spiced with black peppercorns for some earthy roundness. A perfectly and naturally colored, vibrant red imbibe that can be served with or without alcohol. It says Christmas but without being too Christmas-y. You know what I mean?
I love a good holiday cocktail. I especially love with they’re infused with seasonal fruit and herbs. If they’re low in sugar and alcohol and loaded with antioxidants – they’re good for you right? I thought so. If you’re into this kind of cocktail too, here is my list for ten healthy cocktails. They are all great for right now, anytime or to ring in the New Year with.
You might be a little apprehensive about the use of black peppercorn in this cranberry shrub. But I promise you it works. It’s not spicy. It is actually used to mellow the tartness of the cranberry. And give it some well-rounded earthy tones.
This cranberry cocktail with black peppercorns and maple syrup is the perfect cocktail for this time of year. Bring it to holiday parties, or stock your home bar with the cranberry shrub to have it on hand when friends pop over. I’ll be doing exactly that from now until after New Years.
How to make a cranberry shrub.
In my opinion there isn’t a right or wrong way to make a shrub. You can use a hot method (like here) or a cold method. Making shrubs on the stovetop (hot method)are a little bit of a shortcut. But it’s one I completely approve of.
Making this cranberry shrub is so easy. First you bring some water and peppercorns to a simmer. Then you add in the fresh cranberries and cook them down until the liquid is bright red. This will take about ten minutes.
Then you remove the pan from the heat and add in the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. Strain, cool and store in an air-tight container. That’s it. If you want to use it in a cocktail you can play around with the ratios and kind of spirit. I love this cranberry shrub with gin and sparkling water. Enjoy!
Cranberry Shrub with Black Pepper and Maple
A cranberry shrub cocktail (or mocktail) with black peppercorns and maple syrup. A super easy and festive cocktail that's made for the fall, winter and holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 2 cups cranberries
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Bring the water and peppercorns to a simmer in a medium sized sauce pan.
- Then add the cranberries and simmer until the cranberries are totally cooked down and the liquid is bright red. This will take approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add in the apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. Stir and then strain the mixture through a sieve into a glass jar.
- This cranberry shrub can be served over ice with equal parts club soda. Or as a cocktail by combining 1 ounce of gin or vodka with 1 tablespoon shrub over ice and topped with club soda.
Amanda Paa says
your cover + all of the 8 recipes for feat = super fantastic, girl. and love the new sunday series! i can’t wait to make more things with cranberries this year, including this cocktail. and what a perfect nod to the holidays. xo
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
GAH! This cocktail is the most beautiful cocktail I’ve ever seen. Simple and gorgeous. I’m in love. And the Feast spread and cover (!!!) is amazing. So incredibly proud of you! You rocking it on all levels! XO
Lily | Kale & Caramel says
This cocktail! In love. Cranberry and black pepper feels like a long lost soulmates reunited combo—so excited to dive in. And HURRAH for your gorgeous work in FEAST!!! I want that caramelized cranberry sauce like whoa.
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well says
Gorgeous, Sherrie! Love this, and love your feature in FEAST – totally making me want to buy all the cranberries now ;)
Tessa | Salted Plains says
This cranberry + black pepper (and gin!) combo sound crazy good together. Congrats again on your features in FEAST – it’s beautiful!!! So glad I got my hands on a copy!
danielle is rooting the sun says
sherrie your article in FEAST is such a delight for the eyes – the rich cranberry hues automatically transfer such positive holiday energy, beautiful. & this recipe is just what i need for composure (huge gin fan, huge cranberry fan, huge black pepper fan, home run). love the idea of sharing on sundays, whatever sentiments are of the moment. xo
rachey says
This turned out great! I was leery of the cup of vinegar, but it all just blends into the melange of gin botanicals and peppercorns. Perfect amount of sweetness, too. Very glad to have made this half-sugar/maple version, and even gladder to have a jar in my fridge for the weekend! Next time I want to try it with Szechuan peppercorns and Rosemary… yum.
Kathryn says
Love everything about this – from getting more of a sneak peek into your life to just how super delicious this drink sounds. As soon as I get my hands on some cranberries, I’m making a vat of this.
kristan says
This color is SO freaking beautiful! Congrats on your insanely beautiful cover and feature in FEAST, so well deserved! Can’t wait to make this shrub
xoxo
Sherrie says
Thanks Amanda, your words mean a lot to me, xx!!
Sherrie says
Thanks Liz, all my love lady!!
Sherrie says
Cranberry and black pepper is pretty magical I must say – let’s drink of these together!! Also thank you for your kind words, that means a lot Lily, xo!!
Sherrie says
Haha, definitely BUY ALL THE CRANS!! Thanks Jessie, you’re too sweet.
Sherrie says
Tessa it’s so fun you’re in KC and get your own print copy! Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words. All my love, xx!!
Sherrie says
Thanks for all your support Danielle – all my love girl, xx!!! :)
Sherrie says
Hi Rachey – I hear you, it’s somewhat of an intimating amount of vinegar, but it comes together nicely right? I’m really glad you gave it go. Let me know if you add in rosemary, that sounds amazing!! xx
Sherrie says
Thanks Kristan, I couldn’t have done it without your support. Thanks for always lending an ear and heart. You are the best, xx!!
Sherrie says
Thanks Kathryn!! I’m really looking forward to sharing more. All my love to you always, xx!!
Caroline says
Sherri…I pinned this a few days ago and can’t stop staring at it! It’s just so beautiful! So…getting out the remaining cranberries from the fridge right now to make this for our New Years party! Happy New Year…thinking of you and wishing you all the best. xo
Eden Passante says
What a great flavor combo! Sounds amazing and look at that color!!