When bartender Erin Wilson was looking to create a seasonal sipper for Session Cocktails, a jazzy Alabama joint known for their unique riffs on classic drinks, she turned to a surprising holiday condiment: jellied cranberry sauce. “I had customers asking about cosmopolitans and other cranberry-based drinks,” Wilson says. “I wanted to create something fun and exciting that would satiate their cravings.”
Dubbed the Clausmopolitan in honor of St. Nick, Wilson’s vodka-based beverage infuses spiced cranberry syrup with lemon, demerara, and a few dashes of orange bitters. She describes the flavor as reminiscent of cranberry sauce at Christmas: “a little tart, a little spice, and just the right amount of sweet.”
The Clausmopolitan is available at the bar’s Tuscaloosa location during the holidays, or you can re-create the recipe below at home.
