A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (2024)

  • New Years
  • Cranberry
  • Grapefruit
  • Lime
  • Champagne

Tart cranberries, toasty spices, some piney gin, and a topper of bubbly.

By

Maggie Hoffman

A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (1)

Maggie Hoffman

Maggie Hoffman is a writer and editor focusing on co*cktails and food. She was the managing editor for Serious Eats until 2016 and is the digital director for Epicurious.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated December 21, 2023

Why It Works

  • Cranberry cordial and grapefruit juice give the drink a tart, refreshing taste and the prettiest blush color.
  • Warm spice notes and citrus make it holiday-worthy.

A sparkling co*cktail is the perfect drink for holiday gatherings. They’re festive, spritzy, and simple to make. If you’re making a co*cktail with sparkling wine, a bit of juice, and some spirits, you’re riffing on the classic French 75 (made with gin and lemon juice).

A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (2)

Here’s a tart and blushing variation from Nathaniel Smith of Spoon and Stable in Minneapolis. It requires a little more effort, but it hits all the right holiday notes: warm spices, like star anise, cinnamon, and clove; fragrant citrus peels; and simmered tangy cranberries, with a little dry Cava to perk it all up. You'll start by making an easy homemade cranberry cordial, which can be batched up and stored in the fridge for several weeks. Toasting the spices for the cordial helps bring out their flavors, and the mix balances sugar with bright lime and the popped berries.

The mixed co*cktail can be pre-batched, too: You'll measure out gin and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, add the cranberry elixir, then stash it in your fridge before your guests arrive. Each ice-filled glass gets a little of the co*cktail mix, a little of the bubbly, and, if you want to get extra fancy, a little cranberry garnish on top.

A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (3)

The name, says Smith, refers to a local custom: "A Minnesota good-bye is a standoff in manners; basically, no one can leave first for fear of being rude. It's annoying." But, he adds, "during the holidays, it's welcome, to spend those last few minutes with cousins, a few more hugs with family, making plans with friends. This co*cktail is for celebrating, and taking those extra few minutes with loved ones."

Also try these festive sparkling co*cktail riffs: a Salzburg 75, Silver Daisy, or Bellisimo Aceto.

December 2016

Recipe Details

A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe

Active20 mins

Total2 hrs

Serves8 servings

Ingredients

For the Spiced Cranberry Cordial (see notes):

  • 3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

  • 2 whole star anisepods

  • 5 cardamom pods

  • 3 whole cloves

  • 1 cup (240ml)water

  • 2 cups (400g)sugar

  • Peel of one orange (use a vegetable peeler to remove zest only)

  • 2 cups (225g)cranberries

  • 1 cup (240ml) fresh juice from about 8 limes

  • 3/4 teaspoon (3g)kosher salt

For the co*cktail Mix (8 Servings):

  • 1 cup (240ml) spiced cranberry cordial (see notes)

  • 1 cup (240ml) freshly squeezed juice from 2 pink grapefruits

  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) London Drygin

To Serve:

  • 1 bottle (750ml) chilled Cava or other dry sparkling wine, to top

  • Fresh cranberries threaded on co*cktail picks, for garnish

Directions

  1. For the Spiced Cranberry Cordial: Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom, and cloves to a saucepan and toast over medium heat, shaking pan frequently, until fragrant; make sure not to let them burn. Add water, sugar, orange peel, cranberries, lime juice, and salt and stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer and cook, using a wooden spoon to smash fruit against side of pan, until all of the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat and let cool completely, 1 to 2 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a resealable container. Cordial can be kept up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

    A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (4)

  2. For the co*cktail Mix: Up to 2 hours before serving, mix cordial, grapefruit juice, and gin in a pitcher, bottle, or resealable container. Use immediately or store up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. co*cktail mix makes 8 servings; feel free to double the recipe.

    A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (5)

  3. For Each co*cktail: Fill a Collins glass with ice and add 3 1/2 ounces (105ml) co*cktail Mix and 2 ounces (60ml) chilled sparkling wine. Stir gently and garnish with skewered cranberries.

    A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (6)

Special Equipment

Fine-mesh strainer

Make-Ahead and Storage

The spiced cranberry cordial can be kept up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Notes

The cranberry cordial recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups (600ml), so you can double the co*cktail mix recipe if you're expecting a large group. Extra cranberry cordial is also nice with club soda and a squeeze of orange or grapefruit.

Read More

  • French 75
  • Salzburg 75 (Grapefruit Radler French 75 Variation)
  • Silver Daisy (Sparkling Rum co*cktail)
  • Bellissimo Aceto (Lambrusco-Amaro co*cktail)
  • 25 Classic co*cktail Recipes Everyone Should Know
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
254Calories
0g Fat
28g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories254
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 55mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 18mg89%
Calcium 18mg1%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 146mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A Minnesota Good-Bye (Cranberry French 75) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between 100 cranberry juice and pure cranberry juice? ›

Cranberry juice is usually labeled "100% juice." Other fruits are sometimes added to balance the tart cranberry taste, but that label indicates that the product is made with 100% fruit juices. Cranberry juice co*cktail, meanwhile, has added sugars or high-fructose corn syrup for extra sweetness.

What is the history of the French 75 drink? ›

The drink dates to World War I, and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris—later Harry's New York Bar—by barman Harry MacElhone. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun.

Is pure cranberry juice good for your kidneys? ›

Cranberries are low in potassium and high in vitamin C, making them another great choice for people with kidney disease. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections, which are typical for people with kidney disease.

What kind of cranberry juice is good for urinary tract infection? ›

If you do want to try cranberry juice to prevent UTIs, it's better to drink pure, unsweetened cranberry juice (rather than cranberry juice co*cktail). Drinking cranberry juice co*cktail doesn't seem to prevent UTIs better than drinking any other fruit juice. There is no proof that cranberry can cure a UTI.

What is a fun fact about the French 75? ›

A fun fact about this little glass of sunshine, it was named for the fast-firing 75 millimeter field gun that was utilized by the French during World War One. Traditionally made with gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar and Champagne, it's a great substitute for a mimosa, and a great way to bring a little zest to your day.

What is another name for French 75? ›

The first name for the drink was “Soixante-Quinze,” meaning seventy-five. This name later changed to 75 co*cktail, and then to what we know today, the French 75. Over the years, the recipe has altered. When the drink was first created, it contained dry gin, applejack bonded, lemon juice, and grenadine.

What alcohol goes in a French 75? ›

In case you're not familiar, a French 75 is a Champagne co*cktail made with gin or cognac, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Ever had a Tom Collins? It's like that, but topped with Champagne instead of club soda.

Is 100 percent cranberry juice healthy? ›

Cranberry juice is rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and key nutrients. It may also help prevent UTIs, support a healthy gut, and help manage some chronic conditions, like heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. However, consuming cranberries daily may not be optimal for everyone.

Is it OK to drink 100 pure cranberry juice? ›

To avoid excess consumption of added sugars and maximize the potential benefits of cranberry juice, it is best to choose pure, unsweetened cranberry juice. While cranberry juice is safe for most people, consuming too much can lead to side effects, like upset stomach and diarrhea.

Can you drink 100% pure cranberry juice? ›

Each bottle is 100% cranberry juice, made from the juice of over 850 cranberries. It's a delicious way to get the health benefits of cranberry in a pure, authentic form. Plus, it contains no added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavors and is non-GMO. Enjoy Pure Cranberry with sparkling water or in a smoothie!

Is it OK to drink 100% cranberry juice? ›

Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes. In the past, it was believed that cranberry juice can slow the growth of bacteria and therefore is useful in treating urinary tract infections.

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