Cran Royale

From the kitchen of Carly

Tart cranberries and thyme simmer into a jewel-toned syrup, then get shaken with bright lemon, herbaceous Campari, and topped with champagne. Elegant, balanced, and perfect for celebrating without the heavy sweetness of typical cocktails.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 16 sprigs thyme
  • 11 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 11/4 cup sugar
  • 12 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • 11 ounce Campari
  • 112 ounces Champagne or dry sparkling wine
  • 1Fresh cranberries (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook thyme, cranberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over low, swirling pan occasionally, just until sugar is dissolved and cranberries have released their color, 12, 15 minutes (do not reduce liquid). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl or measuring cup and let cool (you should have 4 oz.).

  2. For each cocktail, combine 1 oz. cranberry-thyme syrup, 1/2 oz. lemon juice, and 1/4 oz. Campari in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Cover and shake vigorously until the outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with 3 oz. Champagne; garnish with 3 cranberries on a skewer.

  3. Syrup can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.