Candied Cranberry Old Fashioned

'Tis the season to celebrate... please enjoy this festive rendition of an Old Fashioned, and share your version with us on Instagram by tagging @elguapobitters. Cheers!

Candied Cranberry Old Fashioned
Makes 1 cocktail
x @the.sauceress

• 2 oz Bay leaf infused bourbon (recipe below)
• 2 oz Cranberry juice (NOT juice cocktail)
• .5 oz Maple syrup
• .5 oz Fresh mandarin orange juice
• 6 dashes El Guapo® Holiday Pie Bitters
• Bay leaves, mandarin slices & candied cranberries, for garnish

To prepare bay leaf infused bourbon, take 5 fresh bay leaves & crush them in your hands. Then rip into pieces & place in an 8 oz mason jar. Fill jar with bourbon, seal & allow to infuse for 24 hours. Afterwards, strain, discard leaves & pour bourbon back into a clean jar.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled & strain into a rocks glass over a fresh piece of ice. Garnish with bay leaves, mandarin slice & candied cranberries.

For DIY candied cranberries, rinse one cup of fresh cranberries & allow to dry completely. In a saucepan, make a syrup using 1/4 cup sugar + 1/8 cup water. Remove from heat & allow to cool just a little. Pour in cranberries & stir around until they are completely coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a wire baking rack. Separate so that none are touching & allow to dry for 1 hour. Put 1/4 cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Add cranberries a few at a time, turn until they are completely coated, then set aside. Keep in an airtight container for up to one week.