Since we can’t travel to far off glorious places for the holidays this year, I’ve been ultra invested in making things at home feel different/special. Honestly just so thirsty (literally) for a kitschy Christmas bar experience that I’m taking my Christmas cocktail game up a notch with homemade simple syrups and newly invented recipes!
I wanted to do something less expected (i.e not bourbon), and tequila always makes me feel like I’m on vacation in Mexico. 🙂 However, mezcal is a much more appropriate spirit for the holidays due to it’s bold smokey flavor; plus it pairs well with the all-spice liqueurs/syrups. So now I present you with my “Christmas in Mexico” cocktail… enjoy! 🥃
Actaullyyyy before you can make the drink, you need to make some Christmasy simple syrup! Making simple syrup at home is really easy… it’s just 1:1 ratio of water to sugar and then add whatever fruit or spices to flavor it as you wish. (Great gift idea too 😉)!
Cinnamon Spice Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated or cane sugar
1/4 teaspoon ginger (or fresh ginger great too!)
2-4 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (from TJ’s but I would say it’s optional)
Process:
- Pour 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar into a pot and add whatever spices you wish. See measurements above for what I added to mine, but have fun with this part, it’s a lot about personal preference… if you want more sweet just add a bunch of cinnamon and less spices, but if you want that “all spice” flavor throw a mixture in there! I like to smell it while it’s cooking to get a good idea of taste! 😋
- Bring all ingredients to a boil and then immediately reduce to simmer for 3-5 minutes until everything is dissolved. Stir frequently.
- Set aside and let cool. Straining optional depending what yours looks like. I kind of like the aesthetic of the spices showing in the drink.
I highly recommend you make a cinnamon spice simple syrup because it will make almost any drink you put together this season “taste like Christmas” and it’s so so easy to do!
Christmas in Mexico Cocktail
Ingredients:
1.5oz Mezcal
.5oz Amaro Nonino
.5oz cinnamon simple syrup (homemade recipe above)
Cardamom bitters
Angostura bitters
Orange bitters
Process:
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add a generous amount of cardamom bitters (maybe 5 dashes) and then a couple dashes of both Angostura and orange bitters (if you don’t have I don’t think it will break the cocktail).
- Now shake! (Normally I would stir a more spirit forward cocktail without citrus, but since the consistency of the simple syrup can vary I think it’s best to shake this one to break down the syrup and distribute evenly in cocktail).
- Strain over 1 large ice cube in a rocks glass
- Garnish with a tiny bit of ground cinnamon on top of the large ice cube and for added points, snip off a tiny piece of the Christmas tree for extra holiday spirit! Just make sure to remove before drinking 😆🎄
The mezcal stands up really well next to the sweetness of the amaro and cinnamon syrup. I actually tried this with bourbon and thought it was a touch sweet and flat…the flavors blended together too much. But this drink is giving me alllll the christmas feels, even though mezcal!
Now, light that fire and join me for Christmas in Mexico! 🔥
I hope everyone has a lovely and safe holiday season and that this cocktail can bring you a little bit of escape during this tough year.
