gingerbread martini

Gingerbread Martini Recipe

Gingerbread Simple Syrup as follows:
1  cup sugar
1  cup water
2  tablespoons mild-flavor molasses
1-inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled, sliced
2  cinnamon sticks
1  teaspoon whole cloves


Orange wedge
Brown sugar

1  oz Gingerbread Simple Syrup (2 tablespoons)
1  oz vanilla vodka (2 tablespoons)
1  oz half-and-half (2 tablespoons)
1/2  oz coffee liqueur (1 tablespoon)



Optional garnish: a small dabble of whipped cream with a gingerbread cookie on top.

1. Make the Gingerbread Simple Syrup: mix sugar, water, molasses, ginger root, cinnamon sticks and cloves in 1-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; set aside 1 hour to cool. Strain syrup to discard spices. Cover jar, and refrigerate until needed. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
2. Martini:  Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with orange wedge. Sprinkle brown sugar onto a small plate, and dip moistened rim into the sugar to coat lightly. Fill a  cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1 ounce gingerbread simple syrup, vodka, half-and-half and coffee liqueur; cover and shake. Strain into martini glass.
3. Garnish if desired and serve.