Fizzy Ginger-Cranberry Punch

Cindy from Hungry Girl Por Vida "puts a fizzy twist on a classic holiday punch". Recipe found on bettycrocker.com and hungrygirlporvida.com. (She makes the yummiest looking recipes!)

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped gingerroot
• 2  tablespoons candied ginger
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1  tablespoon  grated  orange peel
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle ginger beer
• 1 1⁄2 cups cranberry juice
• 1  cup soda water
• 1⁄4 cup  fresh orange juice
• 2 -4  dashes  aromatic bitters
• 1⁄2-1  cup  gin
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup ginger syrup
•  ice
•  grated  orange peel or   orange slice

Directions

1. In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup sugar, water and chopped gingerroot over high heat to boil. Boil for 1 minute to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Cool Completely, about 20 minutes. Strain out ginger pieces. Pour ginger into glass jar.
2. In a food processor, place sugar for rim ingredients. Process with on and off pulses until combined. Spread in shallow dish.
3. In carafe or pitcher, place all punch ingredients except ice and orange slices, adding gin and ginger syrup to taste; stir to combine.
4. To serve, dip each drinking glass rim into water or wipe with orange wedge: dip into sugar for rim to coat. Fill glasses with ice; pour punch into glasses. Garnish each with orange peel.