Cranes in the Ocean

Cranberries aren’t something that I’ve particularly loved. However, I’m fascinated by the history of how these canned suckers ended up on every Thanksgiving table.

Turns out that one guy, Marcus Urann, decided to help extend the life of the cranberry. (It was only available for about two months our of the year). And now, because of him we have jellied cranberry sauce as well as a host of other cranberry products including cranberry syrup.

Urann is also the co-founder of Ocean Spray which is an agricultural cooperative of cranberry and grapefruit growers and not just the name of a brand of juice as I originally thought. Did anyone else know this?! (I’ve since found out that there are a couple of other brands like this and the whole thing is genius).

My thing for this year is all about acting on my vision. I’m completely inspired by how this one guy created an entire industry with one simple thought.

Now to this cocktail…the word cranberry comes from the German word kraanbere meaning crane berry. It makes perfect sense to me to pair it with a German drink like Moneky 47 which has a great set of botanicals to pair with the cranberry. The name ended up being a play on Solange’s song Cranes in the Sky. I switched it to the ocean because of Ocean Spray.

Cranes in the Ocean

2 oz. Monkey 47 Gin
1 oz cranberry ginger simple syrup (below)
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz aquafaba

1. Add aquafaba to shaker and shake until frothy.
2. Add remaining ingredients and ice.
3. Shake vigorously until ice breaks up and ingredients are perfectly chilled.
4. Strain into a cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with flowers.

Cranberry Ginger Syrup
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 inch piece ginger root

1.Add cranberries, water, ginger and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes.
3. Run through a fine strainer pressing down on cranberries to extract the juice.
4. Store in a bottle/container. The syrup will last about 3 weeks refrigerated.