Spirited Gift Giving
Find some unique thrifted glassware, an inexpensive bottle of wine or spirits, make a syrup or assemble a spice bag, print out your recipe cards and cheers! It’s the perfect gift for any holiday host this season.
Recipes and ideas by Leslee Macpherson
Cranberry Ginger Syrup
Make this for friends to gift with either of the following cocktail recipes. It also makes a lovely addition to non-alcoholic sparkling cider.
12 oz bag fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup ginger (large knob) coarsely chopped
1 cup sorghum or honey
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
Zest of 2 oranges
Zest of 1 lemon
Bring cranberries, ginger and water to a boil, stir in the sugar and sorghum/honey.
Reduce heat, add zest and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until your cranberries have popped and your syrup is rich.
Strain and discard fruit & ginger. Store syrup in the fridge for up to a month. Divvy amongst bottles for gift giving!
Leah’s Pinkie - Honeywood’s rotating variation on a classic French 75
1 oz gin
1 oz cranberry ginger syrup
1 bar spoon (1t) lemon juice
Add ingredients to your shaker tin, fill halfway with ice, shake vigorously until your shaker is ice cold, 15 seconds. Strain your cocktail into a champagne flute or coupe and top with a very dry sparkling wine, like brut or cava. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel if you like!
Gift Ideas:
bottle of cranberry ginger syrup + this recipe printed (see button) + shaker tin • gin • sparkling wine • vintage coupe glasses • flute glasses • etc
Holiday Old Fashioned
2 oz Old Forester
1/4 oz cranberry ginger syrup
2 dashes of bitters
Add ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice for about 30 seconds or 100 turns.
Strain your old fashioned over fresh ice and garnish by expressing oils of an orange peel over your drink, enjoy!
Gift Ideas:
bottle of cranberry ginger syrup + this recipe printed (see button) + Old Fashioned glasses • bitters • stir spoon • mixing glass • bourbon, of course!
Mulled Wine
2 sticks cinnamon
5–6 whole cloves
1 tbs ground ginger
½ tsp. nutmeg, coarsely grated
5 pods cardamom, cracked
3 whole anise pods
~~~
zest of an orange
zest of a lemon (I use a vegetable peeler, avoid the pith!)
½ cup brown sugar (maple syrup or honey is a great substitution)
¼ cup brandy (optional)
1 bottle of inexpensive red wine, such as a Grenache or Cotes du Rhone
Pour the wine, brandy, spices and citrus zest into the pot. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally. When the mixture is warm, stir in the sugar, syrup or honey. Be sure not to let the mulled wine boil, leave over low heat for about 30 minutes while the flavors meld. Continue stirring occasionally. When the liquid is steaming lightly, strain and discard spices and zests. Serve with citrus slices.
Gift Ideas:
Prepare a zip-loc bag or small tin or jelly jar of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg & cardamom + a bottle of inexpensive red wine • printed directions card • glass mugs!
For a non-alcoholic treat, substitute fresh apple cider or hibiscus tea for the wine.
© 2021, Holly Hill Inn/Ilex Summit, LLC and its affiliates, All Rights Reserved
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Our Goddess of Libation: Leslee!
In today’s world of corporate “concept” restaurants and their constant proliferation, Leslee’s fierce commitment to real ingredients, grown locally and prepared with care and respect, binds our Holly Hill family together and quenches our thirst for integrity and ingenuity.
