The base model for this cocktail is the Sweet Cherry Ginger Spiked Soda from www.spoonforkbacon.com. I didn’t have any fresh bing cherries or St. Germain (Elderflower Liqueur) so I switched it up a bit and used blueberry syrup and cherry cordial instead. I’ve called my version The Red Head as a nod to its beautiful colour and to all my favourite “gingers” out there.

The Red Head

The Red Head

What you’ll need for booze: Vodka, ginger liqueur (I used Giffard’s Ginger of the Indies but any ginger based liqueur would work) and cherry cordial (perfect excuse to use what I picked up from Fortnum & Mason in London, UK)

Cherry Cordial, Ginger Liqueur, Vodka

Cherry Cordial, Ginger Liqueur, Vodka

Other ingredients: Ginger beer (I love Fentiman’s products), 1 lime and a dark red or purple fruit syrup (blackberry, cherry, blueberry, etc). I used Nunavut blueberry syrup made by our friend Thomas Ford-Rogers.

Fruit syrup

Blueberry (fruit) syrup

Fentiman's ginger beer

Fentiman’s ginger beer

Recipe (makes 2 cocktails):

2 oz vodka

1/2 ounce ginger liqueur

1/2 ounce cherry cordial

3 tbsp fruit syrup

juice of 1/2 a lime

1 bottle ginger beer

Method: Combine first 5 ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake it up for 10-15 seconds, strain and pour into glasses with ice. Top with ginger beer and lime wedge.