How To: Holiday Spice Syrup

I love a good holiday gifty for friends, neighbor, etc. … in years past I’ve done bacon chocolate, infused liquor, and regular old Christmas cookies, but this year I went with spice syrup. I’m looking forward to using this in Old Fashioneds at my Christmas Eve family dinner. (I’m always the bartender at family events … no pressure there.)

This syrup has some serious legs. It has the essence of a spiced cider without being too overpowering. (I’m going to avoid the cliche “spice up your cocktail” business here.)

Spice Syrup (recipe from The Fashionable Cocktail)
1 cup water
2 cups brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 clove
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest (make sure to avoid overzesting)

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, allow to cool, then strain.

Taste the syrup and add additional sugar as desired.

I like to use swing-top bottles for my syrups that can be purchased at SpecialtyBottle.com or Marshall’s/TJ Maxx and add gift tags with recipes like the Spiced Fig & Pear Daiquiris.