Cocktail Hour: The J.Crew Cocktail!

Cocktail Hour Number Two!  If you are looking for an unfussy but festive cocktail for your Thanksgiving gathering, this is it.  Also, if you are looking for relief from the crush of crowds at your local Whole Foods grabbing at the heritage turkeys and bags of stuffing mix, this will also do the trick.  I had this cocktail last week at a fun little party my friend and I went to at my local J.Crew store for "very special" customers to introduce the new holiday collection.  Now, I am sure anyone could have attended the party, but my credit card statement confirms that J.Crew and I have a "very special" relationship. This elegant but simple cocktail fit in perfectly amongst the soft cashmere, sparkly sequins and rabid J.Crew shoppers at the party.  Want to know whats in it?

I was unsure of what liquor was in the cocktail when I tried it, all I tasted was yummy ginger beer and the slight tang of the tart raw cranberries.  My friend Kerry confirmed after the fact that it was vodka. Here it is, another three ingredient cocktail for you!  I just smashed the cranberries with a knife to release some juice, but if you want a more pronounced cranberry flavor, I would muddle them with some sugar so more juice seeps out into the cocktail.  OK, it is almost the weekend, kick back and enjoy


J.Crew's Ginger Cocktail
(for 1 strong drink, reduce to 1 oz of vodka for a less strong version)
1.5 oz vodka (3 tablespoons, I don't have a jigger yet)
4 oz ginger beer (I used Reed's)
handful of fresh cranberries

Combine the vodka and ginger in a glass with ice.  Take the cranberries and smash them open with the flat side of a knife.  Add to the drink, enjoy!