Blushed Cranberry Martini
By Emma
Certified Culinary Professional
•
Recipe tested & approved
A quick cocktail mixing crushed ice, pale rosé, and cranberry-infused vodka. Garnished with a citrus twist and a soaked berry. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free. Refreshment in under 6 minutes.
Prep:
6 min
Cook:
0 min
Total:
6 min
Servings:
1 serving
#cocktail
#martini
#cranberry
#rosé
#vegan
#gluten-free
#dairy-free
#quick drink
Cold, crisp, faint blush hue. Rosé, vodka with berry sharpness. Measures tweaked, a bit more vodka, less wine. Ice shattered, tiny fragments chill faster. Lemon replaces orange here, zesty and bright. Simple swirls, no shaker drama. Anticipation builds with every shake. Pour slow, like lazy rivers. One marinated berry, tart and soft, plucks sweetness from chill. An easy sip, no fuss. Vegan tags checked, gluten nowhere near. Gluten-free stamping grounds. No nuts, dairy shunned. Drink in one. Summer’s whisper, chilled corner bar. Snap the citrus peel before floating in. Tang lingers after the swallow, punch wakes the quiet. Minutes count down when thirst moves fast, this cocktail waits exactly 5 minutes maybe 6 tops. No egg whites, no fuss, pure edge. Rosé’s pink hug, vodka’s clean hit. Garnish sets stage, a tiny bright cherry to finish.
Ingredients
- 45 ml (3 tbsp) pale rosé wine
- 40 ml (2 tbsp 2 tsp) cranberry vodka, homemade or store-bought
- 70 g crushed ice
- 1 thin lemon slice
- 1 marinated cranberry
About the ingredients
Measurements ticked slightly up and down on alcohol. Vodka hits just over 40 ml, balancing booziness. Rosé steps back to 45 ml, pale preferred, not the deep dusty pink but soft blushed berry shade. Ice, crushed instead of cubes — chills quicker, more surface area. Lemon replaces orange, thinner, more zing. Fresh is best but a thin slice keeps neat distraction. Marinated cranberry for bite sweet and sour, no fresh berries here to avoid unpredictability. Can use any cranberry vodka, house-made better for control but store works fine. Allergen-free. Vegan too because no butter, cream, eggs. Gluten absence guaranteed. No nuts involved. Dairy-free simple. Just booze, fruit, ice — and time. Time to shake, time to chill, time to sip.
Method
- Fill shaker halfway with crushed ice instead of whole cubes
- Add rosé and cranberry vodka over ice
- Shake briskly for about 5 minutes to chill and slightly dilute
- Strain cocktail slowly into chilled martini glass
- Garnish with lemon slice and marinated cranberry skewered on a pick
Cooking tips
Fill shaker halfway with crushed ice, not blocks, faster cold. Pour in rosé then add cranberry vodka. Don’t rush the pour, measure carefully. Fast but steady 5 minute shake: brisk, not violent. A slow chill, little dilution. Strain into a properly pre-chilled martini glass, steady slow pour, no splash. Use fine strainer to hold ice shards back. Garnish last: lemon pliable slice, twisted for aroma, sits on rim or floats. Skewer marinated cranberry for neatness or drop softly atop drink. Serve immediately, the cold sip fades in minutes. The tang hits first, then berry’s depth. Perfect chilled bar companion, no ice melt fuss during serving. Clean equipment, freshness matters. Chill glass beforehand, keeps drink colder longer. Timing between shake and pour tight, optimal in 20 seconds. Clean shaker between uses, no stale odors.
Chef's notes
- 💡 Fill shaker half full with crushed ice not cubes. Crushed chills faster, more surface contact. Ice fragments melt quicker but control dilution by shaking steady, brisk - 5 minutes worth. Avoid rushing. Shaker cold helps. Use fine strainer to catch shards before pouring. Prevents gritty mouthfeel. Glass chilled in freezer or fridge beforehand. Keeps temperature longer, slow melt. Empty shaker between uses. No stubborn odors from previous spirits or residue. Clean equipment makes difference. Measurement precise matters here. Rosé goes first then vodka. Pour slow steady. Too fast, splash, uneven mix.
- 💡 Garnish setup neat. Lemon slice thin, no thick rind. Twist peel to release oils, place on rim or float. Skin oils awaken scent. Marinated cranberry adds bite, softer than fresh. Use skewers for clean look. Drop in if no pick. Avoid fresh berries to maintain balance, predictable tartness. Marinating absorbs sweetness and sour mix, controlled flavor. Homemade cranberry vodka fine, but store-bought reliable consistency. More vodka here than usual. Punch sharper than sweet. Measure carefully, tweak alcohol edge if needed. Ice amount fixed. Crushed ice weighs down volume but chills better.
- 💡 Shake time essential, 5 full minutes brisk but controlled. Not violent slam. Slow dilution. Watch timing, not less, not more. Over dilute dulls rosé’s blush, vodka loses sharp hit. Under shake, warm, poor chill. Strain into pre-chilled martini glass, slow pour. Avoid splash, hold back ice shards. Use cocktail strainer and fine sieve combo. Prepared glass keeps it colder longer. Straw optional if really quick sip. Serve immediately. Cold fades fast. Citrus and berry tang shift quickly once melting starts. Timing between shake, strain, garnish tight.
- 💡 Rosé choice matters. Pale rosé best. No dusty pink or deep tones. Faint blush hue blends with vodka’s clarity. Alcohol balance tweaked here: vodka just over 40 ml, rosé 45 ml. Keeps drink boozy but clean. Sweetness low, cranberry twist sharp. Ice crushed strictly, no cubes. Replace orange with lemon offers brighter citrus zing, lighter aroma. Fresh lemon optimum but slice thin for neatness. Avoid thick wedges. Marinated cranberry substitute for fresh berries; avoids unpredictable juice or texture. Use quality vodka, neutral profile favored. House-made cranberry vodka offers control but store works.
- 💡 Timing tight. Prep glass in advance, keep shaker icy cold. Between shaking and pouring max 20 seconds. Otherwise melt, flavors flatten. Clean equipment needed. No residue, no stale smells. Pour layers steady. Rosé first then vodka, slow addition so ice chills mix evenly. Shaking brisk but steady avoids over dilution, over chill. Chill not freeze. Drink served one shot size. No leftover. Sip fast, tang hits first then berry depth. Garnish adds aroma, slight sweetness. No fuss, no add-ins. Just booze, fruit, ice. Vegan, allergen free, no dairy, nuts, gluten, eggs.
Common questions
Why crushed ice over cubes?
Crushed ice chills faster, more contact surface. Melts quicker but shaking 5 min controls dilution. Cubes too slow, uneven chill. Faster cooling means quicker ready drink. Better texture in glass, slower melt once poured.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of marinated?
Fresh berries unpredictable. Juice varies, tartness uneven. Marinated cranberries balanced sweet-sour, soft texture. Fresh might water down or add harsh bite. Alternative is frozen berries but risk dilution. Marinated best for consistency.
How long to shake exactly?
About 5 minutes brisk, not violent. Steady pace controls dilution. Less time leaves warm, poorly chilled drink. More time dilutes too much, weakens flavor. Timer advised. Slow steady preferred over short shake. No rush.
How to store leftover cranberry vodka?
Airtight bottle. Keep cool, dark place. Room temp fine but cooler extends shelf life. Avoid light/heat; flavor degrades. Use in cocktails within few weeks ideally. No fridge harm but not required. Shake before use if settled.
