Cranberry has a bad reputation in drinks. The vodka/cranberry combo feels like it's become a byword for an uninspired choice of drink, while its presence in the Cosmopolitan and various Breezes harks back to the bad old days of lowest common denominator bartending. If the humble cranberry is a pariah, maybe it's time to let it back into the party because it's a great winter flavour. What would Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner be like without cranberry sauce, besides unthinkable?

Midwinter

25ml Finlandia Cranberry Fusion
12.5ml Guignolet de Dijon (Cherry Marnier or Cherry Heering are acceptable substitutes)
12.5ml gingerbread syrup (from a well known, Seattle based, international chain of coffee shops, if you must know)
25ml lemon juice
1 dash egg white

Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Dry-shake; add ice and shake. Fine-strain into a chilled martini glass.