Make this cranberry cocktail

This snappy cocktail created by Vincent Stipo from Vernick Food and Drink provides just the tonic to the tension of getting the turkey on the table. Plan ahead and make the base in advance, then appoint a bartender to mix drinks.

- Maureen Fitzgerald

Makes 1 cocktail

1 1/2 ounces Tito's Handmade Vodka (or other good-quality vodka)

2 ounces fresh cranberry puree (see recipe below)

1/2 ounce fresh lime

Splash of ginger beer

Orange wedge or peel (for garnish)

Combine ingredients in tall glass, fill with ice. Cap with a small mixing tin, and shake to integrate. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with orange wedge or peel.

For cranberry puree, enough for 12 cocktails:

2 cups fresh cranberries

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup cranberry juice

3 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)

8 cloves

Peel of 1 lemon, 1 orange

1. Combine ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Cook until cranberries burst, about five minutes.

2. Remove from heat and cover. Allow mixture to steep for 20 minutes.

3. Remove the cinnamon sticks and citrus peel and puree the cranberry mixture in a blender.

4. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Refrigerate up to 1 week.