Clementine Cosmopolitans

I want to thank our friends Jessica and Sonya for introducing us to this amazing cocktail. It is truly Christmas in a glass. A simple syrup is made with the juice from nearly 5lbs of clementines, and then mixed with vanilla vodka and cranberry juice. Yum! Fruity and fabulous, just like me and Doug. Be careful... these go down easily and they are very potent!

Clementine Cosmopolitans

3 cups freshly squeezed clementine juice
3 cups granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick

Vanilla Vodka
Lime wedges
Cranberry juice
Ice

Granulated sugar (for rimming the glass)

Combine clementine juice, sugar and cinnamon stick in a medium sauce pan and heat over medium high heat just until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep until cooled to room temperature. Transfer to storage bottle and refrigerate until ready to use.

Pour a small amount of vodka into a saucer, and some granulated sugar in another saucer. Invert a martini glass into the vodka to wet the rim, then dip into sugar.

In a pitcher, combine 2 parts clementine simple syrup, 2 parts Vanilla Vodka, 1 part Cranberry juice. In a cocktail shaker full of ice, squeeze one lime wedge, add cocktail mix, and shake cosmopolitans until well chilled, strain into prepared glasses and serve garnished with a slice of clementine.