It’s the time of year when winter seems warm instead of cold and bright despite the darkness. But I’ve noticed something the past two years- less and less people seem to be decorating the outside of their homes. I don’t know if the lack of outdoor lights is a direct correlation to a person’s lack of Christmas spirit but it feels pretty scientific, so I’m going with it. 😉 Other than my house, and about three others, my street is pretty bleak. It makes me want to secretly decorate everyone’s yards, taking into consideration different holidays and beliefs certainly. Because who says Christmas is the only one that gets lights on the bushes? Nobody.
Short of that, I am here doing my part to move the Christmas spirit needle, so Santa’s sleigh can get off the ground on Christmas Eve. I hope you enjoy this week’s Festive Friday cocktail and mocktail….feel free to share it with friends to spread some holiday cheer.
Sugar Plum Cocktail
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1.5 ounces of plum vodka (I used Sliwowica)
- 0.5 ounce cranberry & date simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1.0 ounce ginger beer (non-alcoholic, I used Fever Tree)
- Soda water to top
Directions
- Add Sliwowica & simple syrup to cocktail shaker with one ice cube
- Shake vigorously, until the ice cube is (mostly) gone
- Fill rocks glass with ice
- Pour shaker into your glass
- Add the ginger beer
- Top with soda water (you can omit this if you prefer a sweeter drink)
- Stir gently to incorporate
- Garnish with plum slice and/or cranberries
Cranberry & Date Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 or 5 dates
- Generous handful of fresh or frozen cranberries
- 0.5 cup of sugar
- 0.5 cup of water
Directions
- Cut the dates in half
- Cut some of the cranberries in half, leave the rest whole
- Add the dates, cranberries, sugar and water to a small sauce pan
- Cook on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring periodically, until it starts to bubble slightly
- Lower the heat to a simmer
- Let simmer until the cranberries have softened
- Turn off the heat to let cool
Citrus Pine Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1/8th of an orange
- 2.5 ounces of ginger beer (non-alcoholic, I used Fever Tree)
- 1.25 ounces pine infused water (recipe below)
Directions
- Squeeze the orange into a rocks glass
- Add ginger beer and pine infused water
- Fill with ice
- Garnish with pine sprig and/or orange slice
Pine Infused Water
Ingredients
- Pine needles- a small handful (I used Eastern Red Cedar, research whatever you plan to use to ensure it is safe to ingest.)
- 2 cups of boiling water
Directions
- Detach pine needles from branch
- Add pine needles to a French press or loose tea infuser
- Cover pine needles with water
- Let steep for about 20 minutes
Here’s to holiday cheer and Christmas spirit!
XOXO
