Ginger Cosmopolitan

• 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 4 (2-1/2-inch) strips orange peel, for garnish (optional)
• 4 fresh cranberries, for garnish (optional)
• 4 cocktail picks
• 1 wedge lime, for moistening rims of glasses
• Gold or green sanding sugar, for garnishing rims of martini glasses
• 2 cups  cracked ice
• 12 ounces premium vodka
• 4 ounces orange-flavored liqueur (e.g., Triple Sec or Cointreau®)
• 6 ounces cranberry juice
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (juice of 2 lime

Place grated ginger in a square of moistened cheesecloth folded double; squeeze the juice into a small bowl and discard the pulp; set aside until needed. Weave a strip of orange peel and a fresh cranberry onto each cocktail pick. Moisten the rim of each chilled glass with a wedge of lime, then gently press into the sanding sugar.

Fill a metal cocktail shaker with cracked ice; place the top on the shaker and shake for about 10 to 15 seconds. Add vodka, orange-flavored liqueur, cranberry juice, ginger juice, and lime juice and shake for another 15 seconds. Strain the liquid into the prepared glasses and serve immediately.

Makes 4 cocktails.