The ultimate spiced Becherovka cocktail

I’ll just come out and say it - this cocktail is extra. This Christmas cocktail is like the woman who steps outside at 8 am in a full face of makeup, extensions, and 5 inch heels to go the office. It’s high maintenance (but it knows it worth).

Obviously this is not the cocktail to lazily throw together on a Monday night when you’re over the world and cannot handle mixing more than three ingredients.

This is for when you want to impress your guests (or when you would like to guilt your significant other). It’s a drink for the truly glamorous in your life. It takes effort but for special occasions, when you know you’ll be whipping up a few, it’s worth it.

Recipe notes:

If you can’t locate Becherovka you could substitute with a good whiskey or even vodka. The Becherovka adds more spice to the drink so I would really recommend putting in the extra effort to find it. Also, supposedly it’s an herbal liqueur so basically you’re having a green juice (I joke, I joke).

It’s a Czech spirit, so find out where the Eastern European speciality stores are in your area and they will either have or they will know where to find it.

You can also use plain simple syrup for this but I love how it adds a nice pink color and also why be basic when you can be extra?

Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

• 3-4 candied cranberries for garnish (recipe linked here)

• 1 sprig rosemary (for garnish)

• 2 oz becherovka

• 4 oz ginger beer

• 1 oz cranberry vanilla simple syrup

• 2 tablespoons sugar for rim

• Slice of lemon

cranberry vanilla simple syrup 

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cranberry Vanilla Simple Syrup

1. Add water, sugar, and fresh cranberries to a saucepan on medium heat.

2. Bring to a simmer and continuously stir until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly.

3. Strain the simple syrup and dispose of cranberries. Pour into resealable container and let cool.

4. Once cooled add vanilla extract and stir well. Keep refrigerated, can be refrigerated for up to a month.

How to

1. Rim a small part of your glass with sugar using the lemon slice.

2. Fill half a shaker with ice.

3. Add the Becherovka, ginger beer, & simple syrup and mix well.

4. Stab 3-4 candied cranberries with a toothpick.

5. Pour into your glass and garnish with sprig rosemary and cranberry toothpick.