Ambrosial Fare

Christmas Cosmopolitan

Makes approximately 10 drinks

Crushed ice
3¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons pure cranberry juice
2 cups simple syrup
1¾ cups gin
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Garnish: cranberries threaded on fresh rosemary sprigs

Fill a large pitcher three-fourths full with crushed ice. Combine cranberry juice, simple syrup, gin, and lemon juice. Serve chilled over ice. Garnish with cranberry-embellished rosemary sprigs, if desired.

Holiday Relish

Makes 16 to 18 servings

3 cups blood-orange juice
⅔ cup sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
10 to 12 cups (5 to 6 [8-ounce] packages) whole cranberries

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine blood-orange juice, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until juice is reduced by one-third.

Strain juice, discarding cinnamon sticks and cloves.