Description
This festive Christmas cocktail, the Gingerbread White Russian, combines the warm spices of gingerbread syrup with smooth vodka, coffee liqueur, and creamy heavy cream. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this drink is both comforting and indulgent, featuring a homemade gingerbread syrup that infuses every sip with cinnamon, ginger, and molasses flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Gingerbread Syrup (makes about 2 cups):
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail:
- Ice
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Kahlúa or other coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) gingerbread syrup (or more, to taste)
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) heavy cream
Optional Garnish:
- Cinnamon and sugar mixture for rimming the glass
- Mini gingerbread cookies
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Gingerbread Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, honey or maple syrup, molasses, sliced fresh ginger, and cinnamon sticks. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring until the honey has completely dissolved. Once boiling, let it maintain a rolling boil for 3 to 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Cool and Strain Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the syrup to cool completely to room temperature, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the ginger slices and cinnamon sticks. Transfer the syrup to an airtight container and refrigerate; it can be stored for up to two weeks.
- Prepare the Glass: (Optional) Coat the rim of a rocks glass by first dipping it into some gingerbread syrup on a plate, then into a cinnamon and sugar mixture on another plate, creating a festive spiced rim.
- Mix the Cocktail: Fill the prepared glass with ice. Pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), and the gingerbread syrup. Stir gently to combine the ingredients uniformly.
- Float the Cream: Slowly pour heavy cream over the back of a spoon positioned just above the drink to create a layered effect with the cream floating beautifully on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle a bit of ground cinnamon or nutmeg over the cream and add a mini gingerbread cookie on the rim or in the drink as an optional garnish. Stir before drinking to enjoy the rich, creamy mixture.
Notes
- Dairy-Free or Vegan Option: Replace heavy cream with full-fat oat milk, canned coconut cream, or a high-quality dairy-free coffee creamer for a creamy vegan alternative.
- Spirit Variations: Substitute vodka with spiced rum for enhanced warm spice flavors or brandy for a smoother finish.
- Additional Spices: Add whole spices such as star anise or cloves to the syrup while boiling for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Combine 1-2 ounces of gingerbread syrup with 3 ounces of strong chilled coffee or cold brew, top with cream, and enjoy as a festive mocktail.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approx. 8 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
