Pour the sugar and water into a small saucepan set over medium heat, stirring constantly until it is dissolved.

Reduce heat to medium low and stir in the strawberries and the vanilla.  Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool.  Let the strawberries infuse in the simple syrup for a minimum of 2 hours to achieve maximum flavor, then strain out the strawberries and pour the syrup into an airtight mason jar.  It can keep in the fridge for two weeks.

Pour the lemon juice and sugar into two separate, shallow bowls.  Add a few drops of red food coloring to the sugar and mix it together by rubbing the sugar between your hands.

Dip the rim of the glass in the lemon juice, then swirl it in the colored sugar.

Mix the cranberry juice, strawberry simple syrup, sparkling water, cranberry Sprite, grenadine, and Angostura bitters in a large pitcher.  Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with a mini candy cane.  Serve cold.

For an individual serving, pour ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon cranberry juice, ¼ cup strawberry simple syrup, ⅓ cup cranberry Sprite, ¼ cup sparkling water, 2 teaspoons Grenadine, and ⅛ teaspoon Angostura bitters into a glass.  Stir until blended.  Garnish with a mini candy cane.  Serve cold.