Cocktails with Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice is the juice pressed from tart red cranberries, sold either pure or as a sweetened "juice cocktail" cut with water and sugar.
How it's used
It brings color, acidity and a dry, tannic finish. In a short drink such as the Cosmopolitan it is part of the sour. In a long one like the Sea Breeze it is the mixer. Vodka, orange liqueur and lime are its usual partners.
Substitutes for Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice cocktail
Most recipes mean this sweetened blend, and any brand will do measure for measure.
Pure unsweetened cranberry
This is sharp and tannic on its own. Add a barspoon of syrup and taste.
It keeps the red color and goes in at the same amount, with a little more tannin.
Cooled hibiscus tea
Gives color and tartness but no sugar. Sweeten it to taste.
Storage
A sealed bottle keeps to its date. Once open, it belongs in the fridge, where its own acidity buys a few days more than most juices. It stains cloth permanently, so wipe spills before they dry.
