Kaboodle’s Advent Calendar, Day 5

The holiday parties are starting! Here is a favorite Kaboodle cocktail from Ina Garten’s -Make it Ahead Cookbook. Easy to prep ahead of the party and oh so delicious. Martini glasses? Of course, we got ’em! And, they’re all 10% OFF.

Cranberry Martini

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 6 (1×3) strips of orange zest, plus extra for serving
• 1 (750) ml bottle good vodka, such as Grey Goose
• 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail, preferably tart
• 1/4 cup Triple SecSeveral days ahead, place the sugar, cranberries, 6 strips of orange zest and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until the cranberries start to pop open. Pour the vodka into a large pitcher, add the cranberry mixture and store covered in the refrigerator for at least 2 days and up to 5 days.When ready to serve, strain the vodka mixture, reserving the cranberries and discarding the orange zest. Stir in the cranberry juice cocktail and Triple Sec.  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the drink mixture, shake for a full 30 seconds (it’s longer than you think!) and strain into martini glasses. Rub the rim of each glass with fresh orange zest, spoon a few cranberries into each glass and serve ice cold.From Ina Garten’s book Make it Ahead.