I have watched The Family Stone approximately a dozen times this year.
I have eaten approximately 478 sugared cranberries, too.
Because they’re that darn good.
Tart, sweet, with that fresh cranberry “pop” when you bite into them.
Is it too much of a stretch to compare them to SJP’s character in the movie? Almost definitely, but I’m still going to. Although, she was more of the reverse – kind of tart and unappealing on the outside but sweet and good on the inside.
Gah. I love that movie! I love the house (SO MUCH). I love the family dynamics (however dysfunctional they may be). I love the humor and the heart. I laugh every time. I cry every time. I get a little irritated by Claire Danes’s weird speech patterns every time.
And because I, much like Meredith, can’t seem to leave well enough alone, I couldn’t just make sugared cranberries and call it quits. Even though they’re perfect as they are (and are actually really delightful on a cheeseboard but I can practically hear you rolling your eyes at me bringing up cheeseboards again), I wanted to use them in another fun, festive cocktail!
Enter: the cranberry julep. We’ve got brandy (and bourbon!). We’ve got rosemary. We’ve got sugared cranberries. It’s like the best of the South was muddled with the best of Wisconsin and served over ice!
Sugared Cranberries are an easy holiday recipe that will impress your guests with how beautiful and delicious they are! Add them to a Cranberry Julep for a Midwestern twist on the classic Southern drink recipe!
Cranberry Julep
- Active Time: 5 minutes
- Inactive Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yields: 1 drink, easily multiplied
Ingredients:
- 3 – 4 sugared cranberries, plus more for garnish, recipe follows
- 1-inch piece fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. brandy
- ¾ oz. bourbon
Directions: In the bottom of a rocks or julep glass, muddle the cranberries and rosemary together with the simple syrup. Add the brandy and bourbon, stirring to combine. Top with crushed ice and garnish with additional cranberries and rosemary. Serve immediately.
Sugared Cranberries
- Active Time: 10 minutes
- Inactive Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours + 10 minutes
- Yields: 12oz. sugared cranberries
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups sugar, divided
- ¼ cup water
- 12oz. bag cranberries, rinsed
Directions: In a small saucepan, mix together ¼ cup sugar and water over medium heat stirring until sugar is just dissolved. Remove from heat and pour cranberries into saucepan, tossing gently to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove cranberries from simple syrup to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle 1 cup of sugar over cranberries and shake pan vigorously to coat. Sprinkle remaining sugar over cranberries and shake pan again to ensure an even coating of sugar. Set pan over a cooling rack and let dry at room temperature for at least four hours, or overnight. Shake every hour, if you want to be an overachiever. Store in an airtight container for up to two days.
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