Cape Cod Select is sponsoring today’s post. In exchange for taking part in their Summer Breeze Recipe Challenge, I received two bags of Cape Cod Select premium frozen cranberries to create original and unique cranberry-inspired recipes with. All thoughts, ideas, recipes, pictures, and general silliness contained within this post are solely my own and not necessarily that of the sponsor. CLICK HERE to learn more about Cape Cod Select.
I’m finally ready to share my last recipe using this Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce with y’all. Sure, I had tons of other recipe ideas in mind, which I could have easily shared over the past several days with you, that all utilized this sweet & spicy jam sauce, but in the long run, this simple bourbon cocktail recipe won out. It probably has something to do with summer finally coming to an end and fall being right around the corner. I’m not quite ready to give up on summer cocktails on the porch, yet I’m seriously ready to embrace everything cranberry, pumpkin, and autumn-inspired.
So, true story. This little bourbon cocktail recipe did quite a number on me during the taste-testing process. A few neighbors and I got together to try out different amounts of jam sauce, added sugars, bourbon, and added jalapeño spice. It was totally a fun night, although the next morning was a little rough for all of us I’m sure. So, thanks to one hell of a headache, I was forced to spend yet another day making cocktails, to make sure I got them just right since I don’t remember all that much of the first taste-test. Welcome to the life of a food blogger. It’s not always biscuits and gravy, sometimes it’s bourbon and hangovers.
Ingredients:
Mint Juleps:
- 3 Tablespoons Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce
- 6 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/4 Cup Bourbon
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda
- Frozen Cranberries, Jalapeño Slices, and Fresh Mint (Optional)
Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce:
- 3 Cups Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries
- 1 1/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
- 1 Cup Water
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 5 Jalapeños, Deseeded & Finely Diced
Directions:
Mint Juleps:
- Muddle the Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce and mint leaves together in a short cocktail glass.
- Add the bourbon, stir, and then fill the glass with ice.
- Fill to just below the rim with sparkling water or club soda.
- Garnish with frozen cranberries, jalapeño slices, and fresh mint if desired.
Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce:
- Place the cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, lemon juice, and salt into a large non-reactive metal pan. Cook over high heat for 6 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the cranberries burst open and the mixture begins to foam.
- Remove from heat and puree for two minutes in a blender or with an immersion blender.
- Add the finely diced jalapeños and return to high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour the jam sauce into clean glass jars, allow to come to room temperature, and then refrigerate until use.
Suggestions:
- I suggest serving this cocktail with a stirrer or straw. The jam solids will eventually settle to the bottom, so you may need to stir the drink every once and awhile. If you drink fast, this won’t be a problem, however, you’ll probably be pretty gosh darn drunk, pretty gosh darn quick.
- This isn’t an overly sweet cocktail. You can always a bit of sugar, honey, or agave syrup if you choose.
- I like adding a few frozen cranberries to this cocktail for color. Since they’re frozen, it also helps to keep the drink cold.
Improvements:
- Add a touch of freshly squeezed lime to this cocktail.
- If you don’t like bourbon, try replacing it with tequila or vodka for this recipe.
- Use some of the leftover Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce to make this Warm Cranberry & Jalapeño Sweet Potato Salad, these Bacon-Wrapped Cranberry Jalapeño Crackers, or these Crockpot Cranberry Jalapeño Swedish Meatballs.
- If you live in the state of Virginia, you will most likely be able to find Cape Cod Select premium frozen cranberries at your local Giant or Harris Teeter. CLICK HERE to find the nearest store in your area.
Ingredients:
- 3 Tablespoons Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce
- 6 Fresh Mint Leaves
- 1/4 Cup Bourbon
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda
- Frozen Cranberries, Jalapeño Slices, and Fresh Mint (Optional)
- 3 Cups Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries
- 1 1/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar, Packed
- 1 Cup Water
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 5 Jalapeños, Deseeded & Finely Diced
Directions:
- Muddle the Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Jalapeño Jam Sauce and mint leaves together in a short cocktail glass.
- Add the bourbon, stir, and then fill the glass with ice.
- Fill to just below the rim with sparkling water or club soda.
- Garnish with frozen cranberries, jalapeño slices, and fresh mint if desired.
- Place the cranberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, lemon juice, and salt into a large non-reactive metal pan. Cook over high heat for 6 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the cranberries burst open and the mixture begins to foam.
- Remove from heat and puree for two minutes in a blender or with an immersion blender.
- Add the finely diced jalapeños and return to high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour the jam sauce into clean glass jars, allow to come to room temperature, and then refrigerate until use.
Don’t let this recipe slip away. How often do you find a recipe intriguing, yet forget where to find it when you finally get the hankering to make it? Instead of digging through old posts or wandering aimlessly around on the internet, why not Pin this recipe to Pinterest where you can find it when you eventually need it? Simply Pin the image above and you’ll have it when that time comes. You can follow us HERE on Pinterest or simply click HERE to find all of our pin-worthy recipes.
Where to Purchase Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries
