You’re hosting the gathering where people actually know drinks. The last thing you need is a “festive” cocktail that tastes like melted candy canes. This cranberry rose gin smash is built for exactly this moment—it impresses without announcing itself, tastes genuinely good, and shows you understand what balance means. Make this instead.
What Is a Gin Smash Cocktail?
Quick Answer: A gin smash is a muddled cocktail where fresh fruit, herbs, and citrus work together with spirits—think of it as the gin sibling to the mint julep. It’s built on the 19th-century principle that sometimes simplicity wins. This version centers on cranberries and rosemary rather than the usual berries, making it naturally suited to holiday entertaining without feeling forced.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What You Need to Make a Cranberry Rose Gin Smash
For the Sugared Garnish
For the Gin Smash Cocktail
How to Make a Cranberry Rose Gin Smash
- Prep Your Garnish (If Using): Toss cranberries and rosemary with simple syrup. Roll in sugar until coated. Transfer to a plate or a wire rack and air-dry for at least an hour.
- Chill Your Glass: Place a rocks glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
- Muddle the Fruit: Combine cranberries, lime wedges, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Muddle gently for about 10-15 seconds of light pressure—you want the cranberries to split and the lime to release its juice. Don’t crush hard or you’ll pull bitterness from the pith.
- Add Spirits and Ice: Add gin and a rosemary sprig to the shaker. Fill with ice and secure the lid.
- Shake: Shake hard for 15 seconds.
- Strain: Fill your chilled glass with fresh crushed ice. Double-strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp and herb fragments.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with sugared cranberries and rosemary. Serve immediately.
Bartender’s Tips
- Tip 1: The rosemary in the tin matters. Shaking with a rosemary sprig releases subtle herbal oils without the intensity of muddling. It complements the gin’s botanicals perfectly.
- Tip 2: Don’t skip the lime peel. The essential oils from the peel add complexity that bottled juice can’t match. This is why fresh wedges outperform juice every time.
- Tip 3: If cranberries are too tart, add an extra ¼ ounce of simple syrup. No apologies needed—just adjust to your preference.
How to Serve This Cranberry Rose Gin Smash
Serve in a rocks glass with crushed ice. The sugared cranberries and rosemary garnish signal that you’ve thought through every detail.
This is a drink for people who actually have time to enjoy something—not a party drink, but a proper gathering where conversation matters. It pairs well with charcuterie, cheese, or roasted meats. It works as a pre-dinner cocktail or something to nurse through a holiday gathering.
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Cranberry Rose Gin Smash
Equipment
- small bowl
- Plate or wire rack
- cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- jigger
- Cocktail strainer
- fine mesh sieve
- 1 chilled rocks glass
Ingredients
Garnish Ingredients
- 4-5 fresh cranberries
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cocktail Ingredients
- 8 fresh cranberries
- ½ lime cut into wedges
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 2 ounces Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- Crushed ice
Instructions
Make the Sugar Garnishes (optional)
- In a small bowl, toss the cranberries and rosemary with the simple syrup.
- Spread the sugar on a plate. Lift the cranberries and rosemary from the bowl, letting any excess syrup drip off. Roll them in the sugar until fully covered.
- Transfer to a clean plate or a small wire rack. Let them air dry for at least an hour.
Make the Cocktail
- Place a rocks glass in the freezer to chill for at least 15 minutes.
- Combine the cranberries, lime wedges, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Muddle gently. You want to press just enough to burst the cranberries and release the juice from the lime wedges.
- Add the gin and the single rosemary sprig to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Secure the lid and shake hard for about 15 seconds.
- Fill your rocks glass with crushed ice. Hold the fine mesh sieve over the glass and double strain the mixture from the shaker into it.
- Garnish with the sugared cranberries and rosemary.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh wedges release both juice and essential oils from the peel. Bottled juice is brighter but one-dimensional—the peel adds complexity that matters.
No. The drink works great with just fresh cranberries and rosemary as garnish. The sugared version adds visual interest if you’re making this for guests.
Smashes need fresh muddling and immediate serving. Make them one or two at a time for the best results. You could muddle fruit earlier in the day, then shake to order with gin and ice.
Hendrick’s (it’s clean, and lets cranberry shine) or Ki No Bi (Japanese, subtle florals) work well. Skip heavily juniper-forward gins—they’ll compete rather than complement
Fresh only. Frozen ones become mushy and turn the drink into colored water. Fresh cranberries hold their integrity and give you visual appeal.
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