Christmas Berry Cordial Recipe

This is a simple recipe and one of my favorite hostess gifts, but you can bet I keep some for my own festivities!  There are a couple of ways to get this done.  Slow or fast.  Both are listed below!

It’s time for another Sustainable Craft Challenge, where I join some of my blogging friends and we all create a craft with a sustainable twist. This month our theme is LAST MINUTE GIFTS.

Julie @ Sum of their Stories - Crochet a Sleeping Bag for Tiny Toys

Terri @ Our Good Life - Lavender Bath Salts

Christine @ Christine's Crafts - Easy DIY Leaf Brooch from Scrap Fabric

T'Onna @ Sew Crafty Crochet - Crochet Christmas Holly Scarf

Gail @ Purple Hues and Me - No Sew Ribbon Gift Bag

and Me!

This recipe combines tart cranberries with sweet raspberries.  For the alcohol, I prefer whiskey, but vodka is tasty, too!

Christmas Berry Cordial Recipe (slow)

Ingredients

Fifth of Whiskey or Vodka

1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries

1/2 cup Sugar

1 cup Raspberry Jam

1 Clementine Orange

Pretty, Recycled, Sterilized Jars

A Scrap of Paper

A Small Length of Ribbon

Place all ingredients except the jam in large bowl with a lid that seals really well.  Shake once per day every day for two to three weeks.  This is something I normally begin around Halloween, so it's ready in plenty of time for Christmas parties.

Strain.  Add warm raspberry jam and blend.

Isn't that a spectacular color?!

Pour in pretty, recycled, sterilized jars and refrigerate.

And for those years when I am a "Last Minute Lucy" . . .

Christmas Berry Cordial Recipe (fast)

Ingredients

Fifth of Whiskey or Vodka

1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries

1/2 cup Water

1/2 cup Sugar

1 cup Raspberry Jam

1 Clementine Orange juice and zest

Pretty, Recycled, Sterilized Jars

A Scrap of Paper

A Small Length of Ribbon

Place cranberries and water in a medium to large saucepan with lid.  Cook over low heat until cranberries burst.  Stir in sugar until completely dissolved.  Add jam, juice and zest mixing all ingredients well.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Strain thru sieve.  Combine berry mixture with alcohol.

Pour in pretty, recycled, sterilized jars and refrigerate.

Christmas Berry Cordial is lovely in so many cocktails!  My favorite is easy:  one part cordial to three parts sparkling water and a splash of orange juice over ice.

If you need other ideas for last minute gifts, visit my friends!

What fun things have you been mixing up?