Danni's Orange Derby Cocktail

Danni D'Orsi, a die-hard tailgater and a colleague at Dive 75 in New York City, made this tea-based cocktail for the judges at a Finlandia vodka competition.

Ingredients:

2-3 bags orange spice tea
1 bottle cranberry-infused vodka
splash of orange juice
splash cranberry juice
splash lemon-lime soda
Stevia (a natural sweetener)
sugar (to rim the glass)
orange slice for garnish
cinnamon stick

Preparation:

The night before:

Steep 3 tea bags of orange spice tea to 1 quart of boiled water for 5 minutes. Then, remove tea bags. Sweeten by adding 1 drop or packet of Stevia. Pour the tea into a pitcher or other container and refrigerate overnight. Pour ice tea into a jug with a spout or an insulated thermos to keep cool.

At the party:

First rim your cup with sugar. Next fill your cup with ice. Add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of cranberry-infused vodka. Add your orange spice ice, leaving room at the top for a splash of orange juice. Add splashes of cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.