Gingerbread is a warm, nourishing, and soothing food that delights the senses and infuses dishes and drinks with extraordinary bursts of flavour. While most people are familiar with gingerbread cookies and drinks, such as ginger spiced latte, the world of gingerbread-based cocktails is less explored. This article will aim to shed light on a range of diverse and mouthwatering gingerbread cocktails, including the classic gingerbread martini and sparkling gingerbread punch.
The warm and cosy aspects of gingerbread make it an ideal ingredient in winter-themed foods and drinks. However, the spicy and rugged flavours evoked by the dish are quite universal and can be enjoyed all year. Mixologists and bartenders are increasingly experimenting with gingerbread in cocktails to elevate the drinks to newer and loftier heights. Therefore, it’s no surprise that these drinks display an impressive level of creativity.
Explore four gingerbread-based cocktails, plus one gingerbread-infused mocktail, below.
Classic Gingerbread Martini
The gingerbread martini is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail that combines varied ingredients, such as vodka, ginger liqueur, a dash of coffee liqueur, and a hint of simple syrup, to concoct a vibrant and inviting drink. Ensure to shake the concoction thoroughly with ice before straining it into a chilled martini. Rim the glass with smashed gingerbread cookies and add a cinnamon stick as a garnish to further enhance the rich gingerbread flavours.
Image Credits: Freepik
Gingerbread Old Fashioned
Gingerbread Old Fashioned offers a refined spin on an endearing classic, the Old Fashioned. To craft this cocktail, take a tall glass and muddle brown sugar, bitters, and a touch of ginger. Introduce bourbon and ice into the glass, and proceed to stir the mixture slowly. Lastly, top off the drink with an orange peel and a gingerbread cookie for visual appeal. The hearty bourbon will mingle with the spice of the gingerbread to form an appetising cocktail.
Spiced Gingerbread Eggnog
Spiced gingerbread eggnog is tailor-made for culinary aficionados seeking something smooth and enriching. Start the preparation process by combining creamy eggnog, spiced rum, a hint of gingerbread syrup, and a twinge of nutmeg. Add ice to the mixture and shake it furiously until it takes on a cloudy texture. Strain the concoction into a fancy glass, and garnish the drink with crushed chocolate crackers and cinnamon for added bursts of flavour.
Sparkling Gingerbread Punch
Brimming with bubbly effervescence, sparkling gingerbread punch is guaranteed to be the star culinary attraction of your weekend festivities. To make this drink, blend ginger beer, sparkling wine, a hint of dark rum, and a liberal heaping of gingerbread syrup in a punch bowl. Top off the drink with ice and orange slices, plus cranberries, and a helping of ground cloves; this will elevate the cocktail’s appearance as well as flavour.
Image Credits: Freepik
Gingerbread Delight Mocktail
Although this beverage doesn’t contain any alcohol, its flavour is as rich as any of the aforementioned cocktails. To craft this suitable-for-all-ages beverage, mix ginger syrup, molasses, a hint of vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon in a shaker with ice. Shake the concoction vigorously before straining it into a glass filled with crushed ice. Top off the drink with a splash of sparkling water, and add a cinnamon stick and a lemon twist as garnishes.