Just in time for the holidays, this cocktail uses simple ingredients you most likely have in the pantry already.
The holiday season has already proven to be a unique celebration this year. Many of us are staying home to avoid the risks of travel and keep our loved ones safe and healthy. Nevertheless, there are still a multitude of reasons to indulge in some holiday cheer with this festive Spiced Gumdrop Cocktail. The holidays have always been associated with sweet treats, and this drink does not disappoint.
If you’re staying calorie conscious this season, scroll down for tips on how to substitute the sugar without sacrificing flavor!
Humanity has sought sweet flavors as far back as our earliest civilizations in the form of honey, syrups, nectars and fruits (what we found depended, of course, on where we were settling). Sugar cane itself originated from New Guinea and was first refined in India. The Greeks and Romans learned about sugar cane when traveling to these exotic lands. Sugar eventually spread through Europe and later to the Americas. It was considered medicine by early adopters and was regarded as a rare and expensive spice like it's counterparts cinnamon, anise, and clove. The rarity of sugar and spices meant that they were saved for special occasions.
As the holidays evolved for all the major religions over the centuries, so did holiday recipes evolve to include sugar and spices. This cocktail features spiced gumdrops in order to combine the best of the most joyous holiday culinary traditions, balancing the sweet and the spice.
Goody Goody Gumdrop Holiday Cosmopolitan Recipe
1oz of your favorite unflavored vodka
½ oz Triple Sec
1oz Cranberry juice, juice cocktail or 0 calorie cranberry beverage
Splash of Sprite/Sprite Zero or your preferred lemon-lime soda
Spiced gumdrops (If you can make an exception, stick with the full calorie candy)
1. Add a few spiced gumdrops to the bottom of a Marquis or Martini glass (for that elegant holiday sparkle) to get the minty, anise, cinnamon and clove flavors to melt into the cranberry cocktail.
2. Slice the candy down the middle and add to the rim of the glass for colorful garnish (don't forget to pop a few into your mouth as you're mixing)!
3. Add the remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass. Pairs well with your favorite upbeat holiday music!
Share in the comments any twists or tweaks you've made to your holiday cocktails!
Stay tuned for the perfect, easy to make cocktail to ring in the New Year!