Lunch: Cranberry Cheer

Infuse simple syrup with fresh cranberries and spices to create this one-of-a-kind, holiday-friendly whiskey cocktail. Recipe courtesy of Marcus Samuelsson, owner of Red Rooster in NYC.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Cranberries

Health and fertility benefits of Cranberry Cheer

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries.

Ingredients

1 c. sugar
2 stick cinnamon
2 whole star anise
3 green cardamom pods
1 c. fresh cranberries
6 oz. rye whiskey (such as McKenzie)
2 oz. fresh lime juice
Seltzer
Lime slices

Instructions

In a small pot over medium heat, stir sugar in 1 cup water until dissolved to create simple syrup; reserve 1/4 cup.
Place spices on an 8-inch square of cheesecloth and secure with twine to create a sachet; crush spices lightly. Add sachet and cranberries to simple syrup. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and discard sachet.
In a shaker, mix 4 teaspoons cranberry mixture, whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice. Pour into 4 glasses with ice. Top each with a splash of seltzer; garnish with lime.

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