Toast family and friends with a refreshing cranberry cocktail

While the turkey cooks, have a drink

This simple, sparkling cranberry cocktail is a perfect way to wait out the final preparations before Thanksgiving is served. For a child-friendly version, just leave out the vodka.

Cranberry Splash

5 cranberries

1 tablespoon sugar

Ice

2 ounces ginger ale

2 ounces vodka

2 ounces cranberry juice

1 ounce grenadine

Thread the cranberries onto a cocktail skewer or long toothpick. Rinse the berries under water, then sprinkle them with the sugar. Place the skewer on the plate and freeze for 5 minutes.

Place several ice cubs in a large tumbler, add ginger ale. Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker, combine several ice cubes, the vodka, cranberry juice and grenadine. Shake and strain into the glass. Place the berry skewer in or on top of the glass.

Serves one.

Associated Press