Sippin Gypsy Holiday Sangria

Cheers Sippin Gypsy Team Gin! This post comes inspired by a recent visit to St. Augustine and some of the talented bartenders at one of my favorite local bars: Highball and Harvest.  I enjoy a good sangria, but for the holidays, I wanted to play with rosemary and change up the spirits in my holiday cocktail.  The result is a refreshing blend of Gin and red wine with notes of rosemary to make for a fun, fragrant holiday sip! Cheers and Happy Holidays!!!

Holiday Sangria:

1 oz. Gin (I love St. Augustine Gin)
2 oz. Red Wine 
3/4 oz St. Germaine Elderflower
1/2 oz. Grande Marnier
1.5 oz. Rosemary Simple Syrup (recipe below)
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Orange Juice
1/2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Shake in tin with ice until tin is cold to the touch and pour into your glass and garnish with a sprig of Rosemary...Cheers!!!
​*This recipe also does well if made in large batches before a party

Rosemary Simple Syrup:

Bring to a rolling boil: 5 cups of water
Add: 2 cups Turbinado sugar, 25 sprigs of rosemary, the zest of 1 lemon and 3 pinches of salt

Boil for apx 15 minutes to reduce down.  
*do a taste test:
if too bitter, add salt
if too tart, add sugar
if too sweet, add water

Let cool completely (apx 2-4 hours) and fine strain into a container and store in fridge.
*if you add a splash of vodka (about an oz.) this simple syrup will last in your fridge for about 1 month.