Today, I’m sharing another holiday inspired cocktail to get you into the Christmas spirit. Everyone knows the famous line “The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads” from “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. Even though that line was not referring to plums at all, I used “sugar plums” as the inspiration for this winter drink!

Anytime I create a cocktail, I start with one of the classic six cocktails (old fashioned, daiquiri, sidecar, etc.) and start substituting ingredients to create a new variation. This is pretty much how any new cocktail gets create; start with a classic formula and just start playing around with new flavors. If you haven’t already, check out the book “Codex”! It goes into detail how there are really only six cocktails and everything else is just a variation.

For this cocktail, I started with the Sidecar formula. Because plum pairs well with bourbon, I replaced the cognac with Bulleit bourbon but kept the Cointreau and lemon juice you would find in a classic Sidecar. I added the plum flavor in this drink with plum simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water with muddles plums) and plum bitters. I don’t usually like my Sidecars with a sugared rimmed but since this cocktail is inspired by “sugar plums”, I added a sugar rim to half the cocktail and garnished the drink with some rosemary. This cocktail has a nice, sweet plum flavor without being over powered with the flavor or sugar. I hope you make this drink during the holidays and enjoy!

Sugar Plum Cocktail

1 1/2oz – Bulleit Bourbon

1/2oz – Cointreau

1/2oz – FRESH Lemon Juice

1/2oz – Plum Simple Syrup

3-4 dashes – Plum Bitters

In a cocktail shaker, combine the ingredients and fill with ice. Shake until cold. Take a chilled couple glass, rub a little lemon juice on half the glass, and roll the glass into some sugar. Fine strain the cocktail into your chilled couple glass. Garnish by slapping a spring of rosemary in your hands, over the glass, and place into drink. Enjoy responsibly!