Just as the days grow colder and the nights darker, and we start to feel pangs of sorrow for the loss of summer, then kapow! The scarlet berries of autumn and winter arrive in abundance to lift our spirits with their vibrant colours and rich, juicy flavours.

Here we take one of these cold-weather jewels - the cranberry - to make a delicious, fruity alternative to your usual G&T. More commonly associated with vodka, cranberry juice also pairs beautifully with gin as an alternative for tonic water, particularly when you add a kick of zesty citrus and a fresh herbal perfume from the garnish.

We like to add a little simple syrup or honey to take the sharp edge off the tart cranberry juice, but you can leave that out if you prefer a drier gin drink.

Cranberry Gin Cocktail

35ml gin
120ml cranberry juice
Half a lemon or lime
2 tsp simple syrup or honey
A few fresh cranberries, if possible
Mint leaves or a sprig of rosemary, to garnish

Fill your glass two-thirds full with ice. Add your gin, syrup or honey, a few good squeezes of juice from the lemon or lime, and top up with your cranberry juice. Stir gently for 20 seconds. Add a sprig of rosemary or a few mint leaves to garnish, along with a few fresh cranberries, and serve.

Want to try more gin cocktails that don’t need tonic water? Try these!

• Sparkling apple juice and gin cocktail

• Homemade pink gin and raspberry lemonade

• Caramelised pineapple, prosecco and gin cocktail