As the holiday season approaches, my favourite smell is of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. It always brings me into the Christmas spirit with the warmth of all spice, ginger and molasses floating through the air. This year, spice up your holiday party with some gingerbread cocktails!
First, you’ll need some gingerbread simple syrup… which you'll need the following to make a 1 cup batch:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon of allspice
3 whole cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon of honey
3 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger
In a large saucepan, bring your water to a boil, and add all ingredients until your syrup reaches desired consistency. Remove from heat, and allow syrup to cool to room temperature. Then remove the cinnamon sticks and strain out the grated ginger, and bottle it up in airtight containers.
This gingerbread simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.
PS: This makes a great homemade holiday present for any bartenders in your life!
Let's move on to the fun stuff!
GIN-gerbread Martini
1 oz Gingerbread simple syrup
2 oz Madison Park Breakfast Gin
1 oz Cognac
Method: In a shaker with plenty of ice, combine all ingredients, give it a good shake, strain into a chilled coup, and enjoy!
Garnish: Orange twist, gingerbread cookie.
Gingerbread Man Mezcal Margarita
1 oz Gingerbread simple syrup
2 oz Mezcal Union Uno
1 oz Fresh lime juice
.5 oz Triple Sec
Method: In a shaker with plenty of ice, combine all ingredients, give it a good shake, and strain into a salt rimmed rocks glass with ice. Enjoy!
Garnish: Gingerbread crumb and salt rim, lime wheel and gingerbread cookie.
Spiked Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
1 oz Gingerbread simple syrup
4 oz Hot chocolate
1 oz Flor de Caña Añejo Clásico
Method: In a heat-safe glass, add all ingredients and stir, top with whipped cream. For a family friendly party, exclude the rum… Enjoy!
Garnish: Whipped cream, dusted cinnamon sugar, and gingerbread cookie.
Happy Holidays from the JAK’s Team! Enjoy!
Cocktail Recipes by Vanessa Figueroa