Thanksgiving’s new low-ABV, it-girl cocktail has got to be the Cranberry Sharp Dresser. It feels elegant but is refreshing, and it serves as a welcome break from all the richness that can happen on a Thanksgiving table. You can either batch it and serve it in a jug or punch bowl to let guests mix it with seltzer (or champagne!) as they like, or you can prep it the day before and shake it with ice for a frothy, extra-cold version.
The Sharp Dresser is easy to memorize, and even better with cranberry sauce (which if you don’t have a cranberry sauce recipe, check out this one here).
It starts with 1 cup of lime juice, which is about 8-10 limes. Then whisk in 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce.
I hate to be that person who says freshly squeezed really makes a difference, but it does. Pre-squeezed lime juice has citric acid in it for preservation, which would make this cocktail overwhelmingly tart. Plus, a bag of ten limes is usually under $5, saving you money from buying the pre-squeezed stuff anyways.
A good tip I use here is to roll my limes out with my palms until they are nice and squishy – this means they are ready to juice (and actually be juicy!).
Next is 1 cup of sweet vermouth OR your favorite aperitivo.
Are you seeing a trend here? It’s all equal parts for this cocktail. I like to suggest a vermouth that tastes like a mix between Aperol and Campari. Not overly bitter, but not overly sweet either. A current favorite of mine is DolaDira aperitivo.
Then add in 1 cup of cointreau and mix.
While Cointreau would like you to think there is no other brand than Cointreau (which I do firmly believe in the case of margaritas), it really is just an orange liqeuer, so use any favorite you have.
How to serve the Cranberry Sharp Dresser
For this delightfully light cocktail, a serving is 2-3 ounces on ice. This recipe will yield about 8 servings.
To make it frothy and ice cold: Chill some glasses. Strain 6 ounces of the Sharp Dresser mixture through a sieve and into to a cocktail shaker along with one egg white and ice. Shake for 30 seconds and immediately pour into chilled glasses.
To make it a big-batch: Strain all of the batched cocktail through a sieve and into a serving jug or bowl. Add a generous helping of ice. Serve alongside club soda and prosecco, encouraging your guests to make a mix up of the cocktail and something bubbly.
Watch me make the full recipe here:
Cranberry Sharp Dresser Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 mesh sieve
- 1 cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 8-10 limes
- 2 tablespoons fresh cranberry sauce
- 1 cup sweet vermouth or aperitif liqueur I suggest a brand similar to Aperol or Campari
- 1 cup Cointreau or any orange liqueur
Optional, for serving
- Prosecco, club soda
- Egg whites
Instructions
- Add the lime juice and cranberry sauce to a jug or quart container. Mix well.
- Add in the vermouth and cointreau and mix. Store in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
- Before serving, strain the mixture through a mesh sieve to remove any cranberry pieces.
- Serve either as a batch cocktail over ice, with prosecco and club soda to the side for mixing-and-matching.
- Or serve frothy and chilled. Chill your glasses in the freezer. Strain 6 ounces of the cocktail through a mesh sieve into a cocktail shaker. Add 1 egg white and ice. Shake for 30 seconds then strain into chilled glasses. Repeat three times until all the cocktails are served. A serving is between 2-3 ounces, so you'll have around 8 servings.
Campari and Aperol are not vermouths, did you mean to write an apéritif/bitter liqueur?
It can range to either! I just use it as a flavor reference, but a Dolin would work just as well
I had this same question!
I can’t find Doladira near us and shipping is almost $40! EEK! Can you please share some other recommendations? I would love some other recommendations that are less sweet like the Doladira you suggested. Thanks for being incredible! <3 <3 <3 <3 PS More cookbooks please! <3 <3 <3 <3
Hello! Campari would be PERFECT for this 🙂
Thank you!!! I will try and add my review! I already know it’s going to be a 10/10. You are the best!
JUSTINE!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE! 10/10. A+ and a Gold Star for you! Shine on my friend, and thank you for this recipe! The Campari worked perfectly, though I will get a bottle of DolaDira when I come to New York! You are the best! <3 <3 <3
This was a huge hit at a big Thanksgiving event! I double-batched and added to a pitcher with big ice cubes, lime pinwheels, and a starter bottle of club soda, with extra club soda on the side. Thanks, Justine! 100% faith in your recipes.