Looking for a fun and festive beverage for the holiday season? Enjoy a glass of Rudolph's Winter Punch.

Starting off with making the simple syrup. Boil water, sugar, rosemary and thyme in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. When the syrup appears to be thick, strain and chill the syrup for 1 hour. This simple syrup adds a sweet and fragrant touch to the punch.

We’re almost done now. It's time to make the cocktail. Combine 3 tablespoons of the simple syrup, cava, gin and cherry juice in a glass. Cherry juice gives the cocktail tartness and more sweetness. Stir and garnish the punch with crushed cherries and an orange twist.

Rudolph’s Winter Punch is a wonderful and delightful drink to serve during the holidays. Sweet, tart and refreshing. You’ll even want to make this punch when the holidays are over.

Prep Time:  2  minutes (plus 1 hour to chill) |  Cook Time:  15 minutes |  Total Time:  17 minutes (plus 1 hour to chill) |  Servings:  1

Ingredients:

Simple Syrup:  

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup  Baker's Corner  Granulated Sugar
• 2 teaspoons  Stonemill  Ground Rosemary or Ground Thyme*
• peel of 1 orange

Cocktail:

• 3/4 cup  Bonaval  Spanish Cava, chilled*
• 2 tablespoons gin, chilled
• 1 teaspoon  Baker's Corner  Maraschino Cherries, juice only
• 1 tablespoon crushed  Baker's Corner  Maraschino Cherries
• orange twist

*These are Seasonal items that are only in stores for a limited time and may no longer be available.

Directions:

1. For the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring water, sugar, rosemary or thyme and orange peel to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and chill for 1 hour.
2. For the cocktail: In a glass, combine 3 tablespoons simple syrup, cava, gin and cherry juice. Stir and garnish with crushed cherries and orange twist.  

Tip: Use remaining infused simple syrup in other cocktails or iced tea.  

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Michelle, ALDI Test Kitchen