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Cocktail History
The Winter Berry Gin Fizz is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts, as a variation of the Raspberry Gin Fizz. First published in The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante, this recipe features a gin base paired with tart lime, cranberry, and raspberry, bringing together bright, fruity flavors perfect for the season. The addition of soda water then gives it a refreshing effervescence, making it an ideal choice for holiday parties or cozy winter gatherings.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. I used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water.
Gin: This is a spirit made with juniper berries, botanicals, alcohol, and water. I used Door County Distillery Gin.
Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.
Cranberry Syrup: This is a sweetener made with cranberries, white sugar, citric acid, and water. I used this sous vide recipe.
Raspberry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with raspberries, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Chambord Liqueur.
Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.
Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers. I used the Viski Admiral Highball Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright red-pink color
• Aroma: Rosemary, gin, and berry
• Taste: Gin-forward flavor followed by sweet, tart berry notes
• Finish: More botanicals and tart citrus
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “This simple stretched recipe is hard not to enjoy since it’s just gin and bunch of berry flavors. I did especially like the way the raspberry’s tartness balanced out the slightly bitter cranberry, and I found both’s ability to mask the gin a little dangerous. Overall, the Winter Berry Gin Fizz is easy, breezy, and a great pick for Christmas Day when you need to use up the last of your fresh cranberries.”
Recipe
Winter Berry Gin Fizz
The Winter Berry Gin Fizz is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Alex Sukopp, former bartender of Sips From Scripts, as a variation of the Raspberry Gin Fizz that was first published in The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante. The recipe calls for gin as its base, pairs it with tart lime, cranberry, and raspberry, and adds the effervescence of soda water to create a refreshing fruity holiday drink.
Ingredients
Method
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Add gin, lime juice, cranberry syrup, raspberry liqueur, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a highball glass over fresh cubed ice.
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Top with soda water.
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Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.
