Snack, Sip, & Spa: Currently Craving Cranberry

Cranberries are good for more than just a sauce to brighten up dry turkey. I’ve always loved this tart superfruit for its bright color and flavor. It’s just a bonus that they are so good for the body too. Whether you’re eating cranberries or applying them onto your skin, the polyphenols, vitamin C, manganese, and fiber are just a few of the nutrients your body will benefit from.

My favorite chocolatier in Chicago, Katherine Anne Confections, ships nationwide, so you can get the December seasonal cranberry blood orange truffle to share with your loved ones for the holidays. Founder Katherine Duncan loves the bright flavor and dark chocolate combination. “It’s intensely tart,” she says. “We use Wisconsin cranberries simmered in Illinois honey, then bittersweet chocolate and blood oranges. Super delish.”

Put your best face on for holiday parties with a cranberry brightening facial at select Equinox spas nationwide. This 50-minute facial strengthens collagen and elastin to combat the damage harsh winter wind does to your delicate face. After cleansing, a crystal face masque with cranberry polyphenols, marine collagen, and aloe extract brightens and firms your skin. The berry’s vitamin C and antioxidants also help to protect the skin, increase cellular renewal, and inhibit melanin production. In Chicago, ask for esthetician Frances Vera. Her gentle touch and bonhomie make your facial extra soothing and she even finishes your treatment with a back rub.

London-based Cowshed has lightweight cranberry seed rejuvenating facial oil that rapidly absorbs into your skin, keeping you hydrated without making your face greasy. Add a few drops to your moisturizer or massage it into your face before moisturizing and applying makeup for an extra lipid barrier and moisture retention.

A glossy cranberry-red polish like Butter London’s Knees Up Nail Lacquer will add a sparkling finishing touch to your holiday party ensemble and match kissable cranberry red lips from Buxom’s full-on lip polish in golden cranberry. You’ll want to stick this in your clutch for reapplying before stepping under the mistletoe.

Canned cranberry sauce gets a whole new use at Jimmy, the 1970s cocktail lounge in The James Hotel Chicago. A bright and citrusy cranberry cosmo is garnished with a slice of canned cranberry sauce. We always did like our cranberry sauce boozy. If you can’t make it to Chicago to try this, why not make it yourself at home?

 Canned-Berry Cosmo

1.5 oz CH Winter Wheat and Rye Vodka
.5 oz Grand Poppy Liquer
.25 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
.25 oz Luxardo Amaro Abano
4 dashes Reagans Orange Bitters
.25 Fresh Lime
1 bar spoon house made cranberry and orange relish

Garnish: Canned Cranberry Sauce Disc

Combine all ingredients in shaker.  Add ice and shake vigorously. Double strain and garnish.