Spruce-infused simple syrup combined with brandy and triple sec makes a wonderful seasonal drink. Be sure to give this Spruce Cocktail a try this festive season!
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Hello, folks – how are you doing? I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for a new week. Also, can you believe that it’s mid-December already? And just a week left till the holidays?
Let’s toast to it!
Luckily, I have a tasty cocktail I am going to share with you.
Spruce Cocktail
Say what? Spruce-infused drink? Please don’t think of this recipe as a weird one. It’s definitely peculiar, but it also is intriguing and exciting. And it’s so seasonal, too.
If you are amazed by this idea, then you most likely missed my recent recipe for Spruce Tea. Please do check it out.
In this recipe, the same idea is elevated to a different level by infusing simple syrup with some spruce. (Fir and pine needles will also nicely work.) Syrup with spruce tips has a refreshing, bright, citrus-like flavour profile, also somewhat resembling rosemary. It beautifully pairs with honey and citrus fruit like oranges and lemons.
Here orange liquor together with the syrup work as a body. And brandy works as a base and also the component that balances out the sweetness. If you don’t like or don’t have brandy, you can use other spirits as the foundation. Think of not overly sweet and generally neutral spirits like vodka, white rum, or whiskey. You can absolutely play with seasonal flavours like cranberry vodka.
More Festive Cocktails
Looking for more festive cocktail ideas? Be sure to check the recipes below:
Cranberry Orange Brandy Cocktail
I hope you like this Spruce Cocktail, and you will give it a try soon. If you try it, please let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.
Cheers!
Spruce Cocktail
Course: Drinks2
servings5
minutes1
hourSpruce-infused simple syrup combined with brandy and triple sec makes a wonderful seasonal drink. Be sure to give this Spruce Cocktail a try this festive season!
Ingredients
- Spruce Syrup:
a handful (25-35 gr.) of spruce (also pine or fir) tips, preferably young, light-green colour – rinsed
1 cup (240 ml.) water
1/2 (100 gr.) cup granulated sugar
1/2 tbsp. (7 ml.) lemon juice
- Spruce Cocktail:
2 oz. (60 ml.) brandy
1 oz. (30 ml.) triple sec
1 oz. (30 ml.) or more, to taste spruce syrup
a handful of ice cubes
lemon, optional
Directions
- Add the rinsed spruce tips to a small saucepan, along with the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and
let the syrup stay to steep for about 5-10 minutes then discard the tips. Cool completely then transfer to a container and refrigerate for up top one week. - For the cocktail, in the shaker, combine the syrup, brandy, triple sec, and ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Try and adjust the flavour by adding more more alcohol or syrup. If it’s a bit too sweet to your liking, a few squeezes of lemon juice will help. Filter if desired or serve over the ice (serving with ice will make the drink lighter as the ice melts). Garnish as desired and enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
I wish spruce (pine/fir) tips were available here in Tucson. I’ve only found them dried in a natural food store, which might actually work. There is a pine bud syrup that I use in cooking, and I’m wondering if I could use that syrup in this cocktail. I’ll try it and let you know.
My husband is a handyman and sometimes he comes home absolutely beat. I made this cocktail for him earlier this week and he said it made his day.
This Spruce Cocktail sounds like a beautiful way to celebrate the season! The spruce-infused syrup adds such an intriguing, fresh twist that really highlights the wintery flavors.
An unusual drink, sounds great for this festive season.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…Tender Lamb Shanks in Red Wine Sauce
Another beautiful cocktail! This time of year, so close to Christmas is stressful. I am loving the idea of enjoying a cocktail. I live in the south although pine trees are abundant they would not do well in this beautiful cocktail. I am inspired nevertheless!
Happy holidays to you!
sounds very interesting Ben. I have seen Emmymade the YouTuber make something similar. Merry festives to you.
sherry
Sounds like a great drink for the holidays!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Salt and Pepper Chicken
I would be worried here about what is sprayed onto our pine trees, which are grown in abundance close to where I live.
Tandy (Lavender and Lime) recently posted…The Blue Hour, Paula Hawkins