Sandra This Bobby Flay Cranberry Martini is a festive and refreshing recipe, which is made with homemade cranberry vodka and topped with crisp sparkling wine. It’s the perfect holiday cocktail, a sophisticated drink that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Bobby Flay Cranberry Martini Ingredients
A classic combination for a truly impressive and festive drink.
For the Cranberry Vodka (makes 1 bottle):
- 1 (750-milliliter) bottle vodka
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Peeled zest of 1 orange
For each Martini:
- 1 shot (1.5 ounces) homemade Cranberry Vodka
- A splash (about ½ ounce) Fino sherry
- Chilled Cava or other sparkling wine, for topping
- Ice
- Garnish: Orange peel twist or a few fresh cranberries
How To Make Bobby Flay Cranberry Martini
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully festive and sophisticated cocktail.
Part 1: Make the Cranberry Vodka (Make Ahead)
- Make the Cranberry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange peel and the cranberries. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the cranberries start to pop.
- Infuse the Vodka: Let the cranberry syrup cool slightly. In a large, clean jar with a lid, combine the vodka and the entire cranberry syrup mixture (including the solids).
- Steep and Strain: Seal the jar and keep it in the refrigerator for at least two days to allow the flavors to infuse. After two days, pour the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bottle or jug, discarding the solids.
Part 2: Make the Martini
- Prep and Shake: Chill a martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add one shot of the homemade Cranberry Vodka and a splash of the Fino sherry.
- Strain and Top: Shake the mixture for about 10 seconds until well-chilled. Strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
- Serve: Top the drink with a splash of chilled Cava. Garnish with an orange peel twist or a few fresh cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
For the perfect, bar-quality cranberry martini.
- Why make your own infused vodka? Creating your own cranberry-orange infused vodka is the secret to a deep, authentic flavor that you simply can’t get from store-bought flavored vodkas. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.
- Can I make the vodka ahead of time? Absolutely! The infused vodka is the perfect make-ahead component. It needs at least two days to infuse, but it will keep in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for several months.
- Why chill the glasses? Serving a martini in a chilled glass is a crucial, professional step. It ensures the drink stays ice-cold from the first sip to the last.
- What is Fino sherry? Fino is a very dry, light style of sherry. It’s not sweet. Its purpose here is to add a subtle, complex, nutty note that balances the sweetness of the cranberry and the richness of the vodka.
What To Serve With a Cranberry Martini
Perfect appetizers to pair with this festive cocktail.
This festive cocktail is a perfect aperitif for a holiday party. It pairs wonderfully with salty and savory appetizers like:
- A warm baked brie with crackers
- Salty, roasted nuts or marinated olives
- Shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon blinis
How To Store a Cranberry Martini
The infused vodka keeps well, but the cocktail is best fresh.
- Cranberry Vodka: The homemade cranberry vodka can be stored in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator or freezer for several months.
- Finished Cocktail: A martini is at its best when it’s freshly made and ice-cold. It is not suitable for storage after being shaken with ice.
Bobby Flay Cranberry Martini Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per martini.
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Fat: 0 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain, made in the same traditional method as Champagne but typically at a more affordable price point. A dry (Brut) Prosecco or any other dry sparkling wine is a perfect substitute.
Yes, for a shortcut, you can use a good-quality store-bought cranberry vodka. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
For a mocktail version, you can make the cranberry syrup as directed. To serve, combine about 1.5 ounces of the cooled syrup with a splash of a non-alcoholic spirit (like Seedlip) in a shaker with ice. Shake, strain, and top with a sparkling non-alcoholic cider or sparkling water.
Bobby Flay Cranberry Martini Recipe
Description
An elegant and festive Cranberry Martini from Bobby Flay, featuring a simple homemade cranberry-orange infused vodka, a touch of dry sherry, and a sparkling Cava topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cranberry Vodka (make at least 2 days ahead): In a saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Add the orange peel and cranberries and cook for 5 minutes until the cranberries pop. Let the syrup cool.
- Combine the cooled syrup (with the solids) and the entire bottle of vodka in a large, sealed jar. Refrigerate for at least 2 days.
- Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle, discarding the solids.
- To make the Martini: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1 shot of your homemade Cranberry Vodka and a splash of Fino sherry.
- Shake for 10 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Top with a splash of chilled Cava and garnish with an orange twist. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The homemade cranberry vodka is the secret to a deep, authentic flavor and is a perfect make-ahead project for holiday entertaining.
- Chilling your martini glasses in the freezer beforehand is a key step for a perfectly cold cocktail.
- Don’t over-shake the drink; a quick 10-second shake is all that’s needed to chill the ingredients before adding the bubbly Cava.
- The infused vodka also makes a wonderful homemade gift for the holidays.
