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–+ servings
Pink Winter Crown Christmas gin cocktail in a rocks glass with a sugar rim, rosemary sprig, and sugared cranberries.
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Winter Crown - Christmas Cocktail

Our Winter Crown is a festive gin cocktail with spiced cranberry, crisp apple notes and a sparkling sugar-spiced rim — perfect for Christmas.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Servings: 1 Cockail
Spirit: Gin, vodka(variation optional)
Occasion : Christmas Cocktail, Christmas, Seasonal, Festive Cocktail, Seasonal
Calories: 190

Equipment

  • What You'll Need:
  • 1 Rocks glass Short tumbler or festive cut-glass whisky glass
  • 1 Cocktail shaker
  • 1 Strainer
  • 1 Jigger (for measuring spirits)
  • 1 Saucer or small plate for rimming the glass

Ingredients

🧪 Ingredients:

  • 50 ml London Dry Gin or Vodka
  • 20 ml Spiced Cranberry Syrup (see below)
  • 10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 50 ml Clear Apple Juice
  • 1 - Dash of Angostura Bitters
  • 1 Handfull Crushed Ice
  • 1 Splash Optional of light soda or Prosecco to for a little fizz

🍒 Spiced Cranberry Syrup (5 servings)

  • 80 g Cranberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 80 g Sugar
  • 80 ml Water
  • 1/2 - Cinnamon stick
  • 1 - Clove
  • 1 Slice Fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ground

🧂 Sugar Rim:

  • 2 tbsp Caster Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tsp Fine Orange Zest (optional)
  • 1 - Lemon wedge or lemon joice to wet the rim of the glasses

🌿 Garnish:

  • 1 Sprig Rosemary
  • 1 Twist Orange Peel
  • 3 - Cranberries

Instructions

  • Make the Syrup:
    Simmer cranberries, sugar, water, cinnamon, clove, and ginger for 10 minutes.
    Cool, strain, and bottle. (You can make this ahead — it keeps 1–2 weeks in the fridge. This small-batch recipe makes five portions.)
    Cranberries simmering in a pan with sugar and winter spices to make spiced cranberry syrup.
  • Rim the glass (optional):
    Chill your glass. On a small plate, combine your sugar and spices.Lightly moisten the outside edge only of the glass with a slice of lemon or a touch of simple syrup — avoid the inside to keep the drink clean.
    Gently roll the rim through the sugar–spice mix until evenly coated.Tap off any loose crystals and allow the rim to set for 30 seconds before pouring.
    Hand running a lemon wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass before dipping into rimming sugar
  • Mix the Cocktail:
    Add gin(or vodka as an alternative), cranberry syrup, lemon juice, apple juice, bitters, and ice to a shaker.
    Shake well until fully chilled.
    Bartender using a Hawthorne strainer to pour the cocktail
  • Garnish: Add a rosemary sprig or twist of orange peel, and a few cranberries (coat them with lemon juice and icing sugar for that festive look)
Notes:
  • For a lighter, more sparkling serve, add a small splash of soda or Prosecco. This lifts the citrus and cranberry while keeping the cocktail festive and refreshing.
 
Garnish:
  • Add a fresh rosemary sprig to bring a pine-like festive aroma.
  • Twist a strip of orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then place it neatly on top or to the side.
  • Finish with a few cranberries for colour and seasonal flair.
 
Tips:
  • Chill your glass for a cleaner, crisper pour — especially helpful when using a sugar rim.
  • Use fresh cranberries where possible; they give a brighter colour and sharper flavour to the syrup.
  • Roll the glass gently through the sugar–spice mix rather than pressing down to avoid clumping.

 

❄️ Why You’ll Love It

A seasonal showstopper with spice, fruit, and festive presentation — spotlighting Heart of Scotland Gin’s smooth character and local botanical depth. Cheers to Christmas in a glass! 🎄

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Cocktail | Calories: 190kcal | Sugar: 19g