Winter evenings often call for something a bit special, and this Cranberry and Rosemary Spritz fits the bill. It’s a straightforward cocktail that brings together the sharp brightness of cranberries with the pine-like warmth of rosemary, two flavours that work really well together.

It all begins with a homemade rosemary syrup, which might sound fancy but is dead easy to make. It’s just sugar and water simmered with fresh rosemary and cranberries until the flavours combine. The syrup gives the drink a lovely depth that you wouldn’t get from a shop-bought version.

The cocktail itself is a balanced mix of gin and cranberry juice, brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lemon and finished with a splash of Prosecco. The measurements are kept simple with a parts system, so you can easily scale it up or down depending on how many glasses you’re making.

What I particularly like about this spritz is how it comes together in stages. You can make the syrup well ahead of time (it keeps grand in the fridge for a few days), and then when you’re ready to serve, it’s just a matter of giving everything a good shake with ice and topping it off with your fizz.

It’s become a bit of a favourite for me, especially when the fairy lights are twinkling and there’s a proper chill in the air outside. It’s also perfect for a dinner party because you can make the syrup in advance, and the rest comes together really quickly. The deep red colour and the fresh rosemary garnish make it look quite festive without any fuss or fancy techniques.