Cranberry Lime Deliciousness

Baskets filled with goodies are an easy Christmas gift when you don't quite know what to get a person.  I find that I have a lot of fun putting them together, and it's nice to arrive at a get-together bearing gifts.  I have found over the years that they are good presents for your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents, godparents, boss, or maybe that cousin, Aunt or Uncle whose name you drew for a gift exchange.  Gift baskets don't have to be personal, but you can always throw in your own touch with a homemade recipe or gift.

It's always a safe bet to center the theme of your basket around food or drink.  Who doesn't love food?  And, as we get older, it's nice to be able to throw in a bottle of wine, but that's when it gets tricky because everyone's taste is different, and I don't know what is considered good wine because I buy bottles around $9.  So, why not consider a fruity, hard alcohol drink such as homemade cranberry lime vodka?

I found this idea on Pinterest, of course.  I should probably stop saying that and just let you assume that all ideas are never mine, but I'm really good at copying others, and Pinterest has a great source of ideas.   I try to give credit as much as possible, although I would love to claim some of the ideas as my own. 

I have a hard time drinking mixed drinks when I can taste the alcohol, so I love the occasional super girly drink that covers up any sense of alcohol.  This woman's blog suggested a recipe for a crantini that was delicious.

In order to get started, all you need is a container of some sort.  If you're going to give it as a gift, then a nice looking bottle is the best choice.  I found mine at Home Goods in the clearance aisle for $2.  Home Goods is another love of mine that I could get lost in for days looking at all the household items. 
While you're out shopping for a bottle, swing by the grocery store and pick up a bag or two of cranberries, 3 limes, and a fifth or more of your favorite regular vodka.  I'm not sure if it really matters what brand of vodka you buy since you will be infusing it with the fruit.  We used the brand, Most Wanted, which is a popular, affordable vodka in Kansas.

You will start by poking a hole in each of the cranberries and placing them in the empty bottle until it's about half full.  I used a toothpick for this and poked it all the way through the cranberry so it was sticking out the other side.  I thought this was going to take forever, but it filled up pretty fast.

Once you get about half way up the length of the bottle, peel all 3 limes and place the lime rinds in the bottle.  The actual lime portion is not needed, so either throw it away or put it to good use.  Then, fill up the remaining portion of the bottle with the cranberries with the holes poked through them.

Once the bottle is full, it is suggested to add up to 2 tablespoons of sugar to the bottle.  I only added around 1 teaspoon and it was fine.  The longer you let the vodka sit in the fruit, the sweeter it will get.

Next, pour the vodka into the bottle until it's full.  Then, put on the lid and turn it upside down and right side up a few times to get the sugar mixed throughout.  The vodka should sit in the bottle for at least 2 weeks and up to 2 months before you break it open.  We waited right around 2 weeks and it was great.  While it's sitting, it is suggested to turn it upside down and right side up every couple days in order to continue to mix the sugar.  After at least 2 weeks, you can enjoy!

As the vodka sits, it is soaked into the cranberries some and the level goes down in the bottle.  I added some vodka after about a week, just so the bottle looked full.  The vodka will also start to turn red after a few days as it is infused with the cranberries.  It's not as pretty as it looked on Day 1 when the lime color was a beautiful, bright green, so it may be better to give it to someone after a day of making it and tell them to let it sit for 2 weeks, and tie the recipe for the crantini on there that they can make when it's ready.

Recipe for the Crantini's:
1 1/2 oz. cranberry-lime vodka
1/2 oz. triple sec
4 oz. cranberry juice
1 tbsp frozen limeade concentrate
Shake well and enjoy!

So, it may be a good gift to add into a basket or a good conversation piece to bring to a Christmas party.  The most important thing to remember is that it take at least 2 weeks, so plan and start early!