Cranberries and Christmas

We love fresh cranberries at Christmas!  They add a delicious tang to sauces, beverages and desserts and their bright burst of color is perfect for decorating.

Here are some of our favorite ways to use cranberries this season:

In the kitchen

Sugared Cranberries

3 cups white granulated sugar
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup superfine sugar

Bring white granulated sugar and 3 cups water to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat and add cranberries.
Steep cranberries in sugar water in fridge overnight.
Strain cranberries well and gently toss in a shallow bowl with superfine sugar.
Allow to dry at least one hour in a single layer on a parchment lined pan.

Gifts

Cranberry Infused Vodka:
12 oz fresh cranberries
1 cup sugar
750 ml bottle vodka
Decorative 750 ml empty bottle

Directions:
Simmer cranberries with sugar until all sugar has dissolved and a syrup has formed but cranberries are mostly still intact.  Pour mixture into the bottom of your decorative bottle, pour vodka over the top. Let sit for a minimum of 24 hours - preferably a week or so.

Celebrating

Merry Christmas Margarita

1 1/4 cups cranberry juice cocktail, divided

1/2 cup sugar, dividedClick to see savings

1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed
3/4 cup fresh lime juice Click to see savings
3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
3 cups coarsely crushed ice

Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into a shallow bowl. Pour 3 tbsp. sugar onto a plate. Dip rims of glasses into juice, then sugar. Set glasses aside.

Reserve 12 cranberries. In a blender, whirl the remaining cranberries, cranberry juice, and sugar, the lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and ice until smooth and slushy. Pour and garnish with reserved berries, skewered on toothpicks.

 
Decorating