Beat the Winter Blues with This Spicy Gin Cocktail
The Winter Swizzle combines global flavors for a one-of-a-kind drinking experience.
Bryan Mason and Jeanine Hays’ beautiful new book AphroChic celebrates the history, legacy, and creativity of the Black family home. Our December cocktail draws inspiration from the unique Harlem apartment of chef and cookbook author Alexander Smalls.
Smalls’s home is vibrant and eclectically decorated, drawing inspiration from his former travels as a professional opera singer. This spicy gin cocktail recipe pays homage to his globetrotting inspirations by including elements from around the world, from Trinidad and Tobago (the birthplace of the Queens Park Swizzle) to England (the home of London dry gin).
The apartment—like many of the other homes featured in AphroChic—is also bursting with color: A yellow hallway leads into a music room painted a dark red, both of which are accented with furniture and draperies in deep burgundies and golds. We’ve mimicked this explosion of rich color by garnishing our swizzle with a generous dashing of Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters.
Finally, cinnamon simple syrup gives the cocktail a kick of wintry spice, making this a tiki-style drink that’s perfect for fireside December sipping.
- Yields:
- 1
- Prep Time:
- 5 mins
- Cook Time:
- 5 mins
- Total Time:
- 10 mins
Ingredients
Directions
- 2 oz.
gin (like Sipsmith)
- 3/4 oz.
fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz.
cinnamon syrup
- 1
mint leaf
Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters, for garnish
Directions
Directions
- Step 1 Lightly muddle 6-8 mint leaves with cinnamon syrup in a collins glass.
- Step 2Add gin and fresh lime juice, fill glass with crushed ice, and swizzle with a bar spoon.
- Step 3Top off glass with more crushed ice, garnish with 3 dashes each of Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters, and a sprig of mint.
For the Cinnamon Syrup:
- Step 1Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Step 2 Add 4 cinnamon stick, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes
- Step 3 Remove saucepan from heat and let steep for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours.
- Step 4Strain syrup into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
Gemini Zodiac Cocktail
How to Properly Stock Your Bar Cart
Our Taurus 'Pouriscope' Cocktail
The Best Sustainable Wineries Around the World