Well Christmas time again, it's kinda sneaked up on me!
Most people enjoy a festive cup or cocktail at this time of year. This is one of my favourites & a bit of a variation on the old favourite 'kir royale'.
For four people
200g fresh cranberries
500ml water
200g caster sugar (approximately)
1/2 Vanilla pod or a few drops of vanilla extract
Place the cranberries, water & sugar in a pan with the vanilla.
Stir to a boil & then simmer for approximately 10 minutes, by this time the cranberries will have popped & given the syrup a wonderful colour.
At this point you need to taste the syrup to check the sweetness, cranberries are a sharp berry & you may find they require more sugar, season to your taste with extra sugar.
What you are looking for is a sweet but not syrupy taste.
Pour the syrup through a sieve into a jug & let it drip, don't squeeze the pulp as this will cloud your syrup. This won't affect the flavour though if you prefer it cloudy.
The left over berries are great used as standard cranberry sauce.
Now chill the syrup.
To make the drink
Pour syrup into a champagne flute until it's about a quarter full
Now top up with Champagne or a dry sparkling wine.
Garnish with a couple of frozen cranberries.
Enjoy!
