Recipes
Bring on the festive spirit in a backyard pre-Christmas picnic!
Kitchen tested by Picnic Society.
Ingredients
Rosemary Syrup
Method
Combine water and sugar in a pot and put on medium heat. Once the sugar is dissolved put the fresh rosemary sprigs into the mixture.
Bring the mixture up to a soft simmer and reduce heat to low to allow the rosemary flavour to infuse into the syrup.
Let mixture cool after steeping in syrup for 5-10 minutes, longer if you prefer a stronger flavour. Strain the rosemary from the syrup and store syrup in the fridge until ready for use.
Assembly
Combine cranberry juice, vodka and syrup into a shaker filled with ice*.
Shake to combine and pour into desired glasses.
Fill each glass about half full then top with champagne.
Add desired garnish (we dropped some frozen cranberries into each glass which reminded us of Christmas baubles and added a fresh sprig of rosemary to finish).
Makes approximately 4 to 6 drinks depending on how much champagne you like to add.
Picnic Tip: The syrup can be made a few days in advance and stored in the fridge. *You can also add the cranberry juice and vodka to the syrup bottle for ease of transport and serving.
Note, recommended for consumption in a Christmas themed backyard picnic as please be aware consumption of alcohol in public spaces is prohibited in many states.