Mix up holiday cheer with Christmas cocktails
The holidays are a great time to savour a dram of a spirit but it’s also an opportunity to little festive flavour to your cocktails. Whether you are creating a making a modern cocktail or updating a classic the key is to focus on seasonal flavours.
Her are five ways to add festive flavours to seasonal cocktails:
1. CRANBERRIES AND POMEGRANATES
Cranberry juice, cranberry simple syrup (see our recipe), and fresh cranberry garnishes all add a splash of colour and seasonal flavour to your cocktail routine. Cranberries have a natural tartness that also acts as a seasonal alternative to citrus. Pomegranate adds a deep crimson colour to cocktails but also adds some sweetness, so often use of pomegranate will require an acid or citrus component to keep your cocktail in balance.
2. BAKING SPICES
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves all can add warmth to our holiday cocktails. Grating whole spices over eggnog and other cream or milk-based mixed drinks adds aromatic intensity.
3. WOODY HERBS
With the onset of winter, it’s time to edit our fresh herb routine. Woody herbs, such as thyme and rosemary, not only add a seasonally-appropriate look but can be used to add dimension to fuller-flavoured cocktails, especially those with a brown spirit base, such as Bourbon.
4. MAPLE AND HONEY
Many cocktails call for sweetening agents to help balance the alcohol heat and bitter nature of other ingredients. While sugar and sugar-based simple syrup are the traditional way of adding sweetness, give maple or honey a try this holiday season.
5. SPICED SPIRITS
A simple way to update cocktails to the season is to replace dark spirits with spiced versions. Spiced versions are often typically led by vanilla but also may incorporate other classic baking spices.
AN OLD-FASHIONED HOLIDAY
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• (1 serving)
1 1/2 oz whisky
1/2 oz cranberry simple syrup*
2 drops Angostura bitters
Orange peel, for garnish
Rosemary, for garnish (optional)
Place whisky, cranberry simple syrup, and bitters in an ice-filled glass. Stir until chilled and the desired dilution has been achieved. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Express orange peel over glass. Add orange peel and rosemary to garnish.
* To make the syrup, combine 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 cup honey or sugar, 1 cup cranberries, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a pot. Bring to a boil. When the sugar has dissolved, reduce heat to low and let simmer for five minutes. Strain to remove cranberries, let cool.
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POMEGRANATE 75
(1 serving)
1 oz gin
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz pomegranate simple syrup*
3 oz Prosecco, chilled Lemon twist, for garnish
Place gin, lemon juice, and pomegranate simple syrup in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist.
* To make the syrup, combine 1 cup pomegranate juice and 1 cup sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil. When sugar dissolves remove from heat. Let cool before using.
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