Hot Cranberry Sage Sipper

Now that the craziness of Christmas has passed, we are settling back into some sort of normal around here.  My heart is full of gratitude for the love and kindness of both family and friends both near and far.  There is no greater gift than knowing you are loved and valued.  Spending time together and creating memories is a wonderful gift that I cherish every year.  Although Skype plays a hand in making some of those memories, it is the time taken to converse, laugh and reminisce that matters most.
 

As we look ahead to 2014 it is my hope that our lives will continue to be so blessed and more importantly, that we will recognize it as such.  With children who are beyond entitled, it is tricky to teach them to appreciate what they have.  Short of a daily reading of the Globe and Mail to discuss the daily tragedies around the world, I am perplexed how to make this realization part of their understanding.  We are able to give and share so much with them, it is hard to know when it is too much.  Perhaps post Christmas is not the best time to evaluate how spoiled my kids are.  The multitude of blessings is magnified at this time.

In the meantime, we'll be ringing in the New Year in just a few days and celebrating what a wonderful year 2013 was.  We enjoyed this hot punch over the holidays a few times and was well received at many a party.  The gin really pairs well with the woodsy sage, feeling like a warm winter drink.  I use Dillons Unfiltered Gin, as it has become my absolute favourite this fall.  Locally made and handcrafted, it's worth finding if you live in Ontario.  LCBO has started carrying it, or you can have it shipped from their store. 

 



Hot Cranberry Sage Sipper

adapted from TheKitchn

3 tsps black peppercorns
1 cardamom pod
2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh sage leaves

1 orange sliced

1 cup gin

Place peppercorns and cardamom in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cranberries, honey, and 1 cup water and simmer over medium heat until thick and syrupy and some of the liquid has evaporated, about 7-10 minutes.

Smash cranberries with a fork. Add the remaining 4 cups water, orange slices and sage, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Strain the mixture, smashing the cranberries once more, then discard solids.
To serve, add the gin and warm over low heat until steaming. Enjoy!