The Red Queen cocktail: beautiful, capricious and a little dangerous… this festive gin-based cocktail was named after the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland.
Gin lovers must also try Blueberry Gin Sour
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“In the grand and disorderly pursuit of life, perfection is ill-advised except in the case of cocktails” Lord Penfield 1867
So proclaims the ‘unassuming little cocktail book” that was enclosed in my box of Hendricks gin, and I am inclined to agree.
Waitrose sent me the bottle of Hendricks as I am involved in a little debate ‘Hot vs. Cold – how do you like your gin’? I have to admit that I love a hot toddy but haven’t tried it with gin… yet.
But I know without a smidgeon of a doubt that I adore my gin cold either in a gin & tonic or an ice-cold dirty martini or pretty much any of my own concoctions (try a Cucumber Martini or a Mixed Berry Collins).
Hendricks has a very distinctive taste – slightly flowery with citrus notes. The cocktail book suggests you serve a Hendricks gin and tonic with a slice of cucumber and it really does make a very refreshing drink (a new favourite in fact)
.I started to experiment with a Gin Cosmopolitan and that led me to the creation of The Red Queen. I recently went to see Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House and the bottle of Hendricks just reminded me of something out of Lewis Carroll.
Don’t you think it should come with a little label saying ‘drink me’? Their whole aesthetic is very Alice in fact. And the Red Queen is a gorgeous ruby red which looks beautiful, capricious and just a little bit dangerous. This is a perfect festive cocktail – just the thing to get a party started!
HOW TO MAKE THE RED QUEEN
Fill your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and add the cranberry juice, Hendricks gin, St Germain and lemon juice.
Shake until a frost forms on the shaker – about 30 seconds. Have a taste of your drink and adjust – perhaps you want to add a bit more lemon?
Pour into chilled martini glasses and garnish with the fresh cranberries.
Have you made my Red Queen cocktail? Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!
POPULAR COCKTAILS
- Strawberry Gin Sour
- Blackberry lavender gin and tonic
- Cherry Bomb cocktail
- Blueberry basil Moscow Mule cocktail
Festive cocktails: The Red Queen
Ingredients
- 120 ml ( ½ cup) cranberry juice
- 80 ml ( ⅓ cup) Hendricks gin
- 40 ml ( ⅛ cup) St Germain Elderflower liqueur
- ½ lemon, juice only or to taste
Garnish
- fresh cranberries threaded on cocktail sticks to garnish
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and add all the ingredients (apart from the fresh cranberries). Shake until a frost forms on the shaker – about 30 seconds.
- Taste your drink and make any adjustments – does it need a touch more lemon juice?
- Pour into chilled martini or coupe glasses and garnish with the fresh cranberries.
Nutritional Info
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Julia Frey says
This is the 100th (at least) time I googled this recipe to make the cocktail as my my bartender has a short term memory. The best!!
Lucy Parissi says
Ha! I need to get some St Germain I really feel the urge to make this again. The festive pull is too much!
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
What a beautiful cocktail. My "go to" cocktails tend to be margaritas, lychee martinis and cosmos. I'm thinking I need to give this twist on a cosmo a try.
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
This cocktail is gorgeous!
Lucy Parissi says
thanks Marla!
Oana says
Beautiful pictures, the coktail sure looks like the queen/king of cocktails.
Lucy Parissi says
Yes I was looking at the photos and the name just jumped out!
Jen Price says
Gorgeous photos, got everything here except the elderflower, will have to nip out and get some tomorrow. Merry Christmas!
Lucy Parissi says
Thanks Jen – hope you make it. I had one today to celebrate the end of a long day! Merry Christmas!
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
What a beautiful colour and beautiful pictures. Given that I am quite partial to a glass of gin, I reckon I could demolish a fair few of these. Happy Christmas x
Lucy Parissi says
I am raising a virtual glass to you! Cheers & Merry Christmas
Keep Calm and Fanny On says
Another sensational post in so many this year, thanks so much and Merry Christmas! I'm off to get some cranberry juice…
Lucy Parissi says
Thank you! A little of this cocktail goes a long way when preparing Christmas lunch…