Christmas Cake Gin Recipe

Vonbon Hill

2 min read

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22-11-2024

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The holidays are upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive cocktail? This Christmas Cake Gin recipe captures the essence of the season in a delicious and surprisingly easy-to-make drink. Forget store-bought eggnog; this is your new go-to holiday beverage.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Gin (a London Dry style works well, but experiment!)
• 1 oz Christmas Cake Liqueur (recipe below!)
• 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and water, simmered until dissolved)
• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
• Christmas Cake Crumble (for garnish)
• Orange peel (for garnish)

Making the Christmas Cake Liqueur:

This is the star of the show, and while it requires a little advance planning (it needs to infuse for at least 24 hours), it's incredibly rewarding.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Vodka (or Gin, for a bolder flavor)
• 1/2 cup Dried Mixed Fruit (raisins, cranberries, currants – the works!)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Mixed Nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts are all fantastic)
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• Pinch of Ground Cloves

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a sealed jar.
2. Gently shake the jar to ensure everything is well combined.
3. Let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least 24 hours, shaking occasionally. The longer it infuses, the stronger the flavor. (Up to 72 hours is fine).
4. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the solids.

Assembling the Christmas Cake Gin Cocktail:

Now that your Christmas Cake liqueur is ready, let's make the cocktail:

1. Chill: Chill your cocktail shaker and glass beforehand. This will ensure a perfectly chilled drink.
2. Combine: Add the gin, Christmas cake liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
3. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled (about 15-20 seconds).
4. Strain: Double strain into your chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish: Garnish with a generous sprinkle of Christmas cake crumble and a twist of orange peel.

Tips and Variations:

• Spice it up: Add a cinnamon stick or star anise to the liqueur for an extra layer of festive spice.
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of simple syrup.
• Experiment with gin: Different gins will impart different flavor profiles. Try a spiced gin for an even more Christmas-y experience.

This Christmas Cake Gin is the perfect celebratory drink for holiday gatherings. Its unique flavor profile and beautiful presentation will impress your guests. Enjoy responsibly!