Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (2024)

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ByWendy Grahamupdated on

Let me show you how to make this delicious cranberry and orange-infused Christmas gin recipe. It’s perfect to give to others as a gift, or to keep all to yourself!

Seeing as it’s nearly Christmas, and I’ve been busy updating my big sustainable Christmas guide, I thought I would continue the festive theme and share my cranberry and orange-infused Christmas gin recipe.It has a fresh festive flavour without the sweetness of many drinks of the season.

Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (2)

You can prepare this now so that it is ready for Christmas. It would make such a lovely homemade and edible gift idea for any gin lover. Or you could just keep it for yourself – your call!

The very best bit is that the recipe has a skill level of precisely zero. If you can add some berries to some gin then you can make this Christmas gin recipe!Aka, my favourite kind of recipe!

Table Of Contents

  • Cranberry And Orange Infused Christmas Gin Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment Required
    • Method
  • A Note On The Ingredients Used
  • A Note On The Method

Cranberry And Orange Infused Christmas Gin Recipe

Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (3)

Here is the full list of ingredients and the directions to make this tasty infused gin:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries (see notes below)
  • 500 ml gin
  • The peel of two oranges (ensuring as little pith is on the peel as possible, otherwise it can make the gin taste bitter)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for later)

Equipment Required

  • Large sealed jar, sterilised (see my guide on how to sterilise glass jars)
  • A sieve
  • A piece of muslin
  • Measuring jug or bowl.
  • A pan
  • A funnel (optional)
  • A sterilised bottle. You can reuse an old gin bottle, just make sure the lid still secures firmly.

Method

  • Place the fresh or frozen cranberries and the peel of the oranges into your sterilised jar.
  • Pour over the gin, and seal the jar tightly.
  • Place the sealed jar in a cool dark place for at least 3 weeks, shaking every three or four days. The gin will take on a stronger cranberry and orange flavour the longer you leave the fruit in.So, if you prefer a stronger flavour then leave the fruit in for longer.
  • After at least three weeks, you can strain the gin off through a muslin-lined sieve into a measuring jug or bowl.
  • Put the gin to the side for a minute.
  • Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water to a pan.Dissolve the sugar and water over a low heat.
  • Once dissolved, add a little bit of the sugary water at a time to the gin, tasting it as you go, until you have the desired sweetness.
  • Finally, mix well and decant into a sterilised bottle. Your cranberry and orange-infused Christmas gin is ready for drinking or gifting. Provided the gin has been properly strained, sealed well, and stored in a cool dark spot, then it should keep for one year.

A Note On The Ingredients Used

Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (4)

At this time of year, you can easily buy fresh cranberries in many supermarkets.If you can’t find fresh ones then I’ve found that frozen ones work just as well.

I’ve used frozen cranberries because I picked them up really cheap in January (like 50p a big bag cheap!).However, even now the frozen ones are relatively inexpensive.The good thing is there is no need to defrost frozen cranberries before using them.And in case you are worried, there really is no difference in flavour.

Gin-wise, I wouldn’t buy the cheapest gin in the shop.Buy a bottle that costs £2 or £3 more for this recipe, rather than the cheapest own-brand gin, and you’ll get a better-tasting Christmas gin. Don’t go wild and buy a really expensive gin though.You’ll lose the lovely subtle flavours of your fancier gin. It’s a fine balance. I opted for Gordon’s Gin if that helps, and it made for a lovely-tasting Cranberry and Orange gin.

A Note On The Method

Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (5)

I have taken advice from Sipsmiths (as they know a thing or two about gin) and utilised its sloe gin-making tips.Here Sipsmiths advises adding the sugar at the end of the infusion process rather than at the start.

It says “Contrary to popular belief, there is very little point in adding sugar at the outset.Saturating the spirit with sugar prevents it from extracting the natural fruit sugars – and other flavours – from the [fruit]“.

Having made infused gins in the past where I’ve added the sugar at the same time as the fruit, I have to say I completely agree with Sipsmiths.By adding the sugar at the end also means you can control the sweetness more accurately.

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Cranberry And Orange Infused Gin Recipe For Christmas (2024)

FAQs

Can you mix orange and cranberry juice? ›

Orange and cranberry juice both offer up health benefits, but when you combine them you can pack a lot of nutrition into one glass of juice. For people who have trouble meeting fruit intake recommendations, adding a glass of 100 percent juice can help, according to Fruit Juice Facts.

What is Christmas gin? ›

CHRISTMAS GIN® is a festive twist on our signature Fieldnotes Organic Gin®, enriched with black currants infusion.

How do you serve candy cane gin? ›

A classic with a twist, this a great way to make your go-to drink seasonally appropriate, while putting peppery zest above sweetness.
  1. Pour 35ml of Candy Cane Christmas Gin over ice.
  2. Top with a premium tonic.
  3. Garnish with blackberries.
Dec 24, 2018

What not to mix with cranberry? ›

Possible Interactions
  • Warfarin (Coumadin): Cranberry may raise the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take medications to thin the blood such as warfarin. ...
  • Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. ...
  • Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

What alcohol goes well with cranberry juice? ›

You can't go wrong with a classic! Otherwise known as a "vodka cran," the Cape Codder Cocktail is as simple as it gets: vodka and cranberry juice with a lime wedge for garnish. "I loved the tartness of this drink," says reviewer Sarah Jo.

What is the best Christmas gin? ›

CHRISTMAS GINS
  • ABV 40% 70cl. Dà Mhìle Distillery Christingle Gin. ...
  • ABV 40% 70cl. Kirkjuvagr Yuletide Special Edition Gin. ...
  • ABV 40% 70cl. Jon & John's Festive Gin. ...
  • ABV 40% 70cl. Graveney Festive Fayre Gin. ...
  • ABV 40% 50cl. Elephant Orange Cocoa Gin. ...
  • ABV 31% 70cl. Downpour Sloe & Bramble Gin. ...
  • Craft Gin Club Explorers' Set. ...
  • ABV 40% 70cl.

What does Christmas gin taste like? ›

Edinburgh Gin Christmas Gin uses nutmeg and ginger root to build a warming and spiced base and add the heady aromatics of frankincense and myrrh while keeping the juniper bold and omnipresent. It's London Dry Gin, but that lands with a jingle when poured into a glass.

What is the official drink of Christmas? ›

Eggnog. Of all the holiday cocktails you can mix up, few are as fitting as a glass of homemade eggnog.

Why is gin better for you than vodka? ›

Gin has less sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, gin may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful with mixers, however.

Is gin healthier then vodka? ›

In terms of nutritional profile, carbs, and calorie count, there is very little difference between vodka and gin.

What juice is best with gin? ›

You can't go wrong with a juniper-forward London dry gin, which works with nearly any juice you can source, from lemon and lime to orange and grapefruit. Softer gins can work great, too, but depending on their botanical makeup, they may pair better with sweeter OJ or more sour grapefruit.

How do you serve the Four Pillars of Christmas gin? ›

METHOD
  1. Combine Australian Christmas Gin, dry ginger ale and lemonade in your favourite jug or carafe and top with ice.
  2. Garnish with wedges of lemon, ribbons of cucumber, sprigs of mint and half strawberries.

What fruit to have in gin? ›

Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange are a natural match for London Dry gin. The acidity and brightness of these fruits complement the botanical flavours in gin, making for a refreshing and balanced drink. Try a classic gin and tonic with a squeeze of lime, or a gin sour with lemon and sugar.

What is the best mixer for candy cane gin? ›

Mixers for flavoured gins:

For Christmas and spiced gins, with their spiced palates, ginger beer is a must-try but cranberry juice, orange juice and lemon juice are great here too.

Can you mix vitamin C and cranberry juice? ›

No interactions were found between cranberry and Vitamin C.

What fruits mix well with cranberry? ›

It's one of those funny fruits that people only pair with orange. But if you're still getting stone fruit (or have some frozen fruit around), it's great to combine cranberries with peaches or nectarines in a sauce for the best of their sweet and tart flavors.

What is a good combination with orange juice? ›

However, here are a few popular options:
  • Vodka: Vodka is a neutral spirit that pairs well with the sweet and tart flavor of orange juice. ...
  • Tequila: Tequila can also be mixed with orange juice to create a tangy and sweet drink. ...
  • Rum: Rum is another popular alcohol to mix with orange juice.
Aug 9, 2021

What fruit goes well with cranberry juice? ›

Cranberry juice goes best with orange juice and orange-flavored liqueurs. The orange enhances the cranberry flavor in the best possible way! Other great mixers for cranberry juice are grapefruit juice and pineapple juice. Cranberry juice also goes well with alcohols such as vodka, rum, gin, champagne, or red wine.

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