This holiday season, try a fresh take on the classic gimlet with this That’s the Spirit apple spruce gimlet cocktail — the ingredients are uniquely oh-so Canadian! The combination of apple and spruce tips lends itself to this beautiful cocktail that tastes like fresh winter’s breath. Have it with a spirit of choice or a non-alcoholic alternative (like juice or soda) to bring out all the different flavours. Plus: it’s easy to whip up!
Related: Ina Garten’s Fresh Whiskey Sours Will Be Your Go-To Cocktail
Feeling inspired? Check out these swanky cocktail recipes for New Year’s Eve.
ingredients
directions
Create your apple spruce syrup: in a saucepan, add apple juice, sugar and dried spruce tips. Bring all contents to boil.
Once bubbling, lower to simmer. Allow to simmer on low for about 20 minutes. Remove apple spruce syrup from heat and let cool.
Strain out solids through a colander or strainer into a non-reactive container. Syrup recipe can remain in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
In a shaker tin, add 1 oz of the apple spruce syrup.
Slice a lime in half and squeeze the juices of both halves into the shaker tin, combining with apple spruce syrup.
Pick your of spirit (white spirits for more herbal, evergreen qualities; brown spirits to bring out warming spices in the drink). Add 2 oz of chosen spirit in the cocktail shaker.
Add enough ice to cover the liquid plus a little bit more, do not be shy. Cover the other side of the shaker tin and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass (or your favourite cocktail glass) and garnish with winter herbs (spruce from your garden works!). Enjoy immediately.
