A Favorite from Sippin' Santa 2021!
As lucky as I was to make it to Latitude 29 for this years' Sippin' Santa launch, I couldn't help but think that I started my holiday season with the bar set a bit too high. Thankfully, I was able to find a few versions of one of my favorite drinks from that night so that the merriment can continue until I'm finally tired of hearing Mele Kalikimaka!
The drink in question is the Christmas Eve of Destruction, a classic Tiki flavored punch that packs one as well. Even better, it's relatively small list of ingredients and easy proportions make it a snap to serve to Holiday guests. The only ingredient not readily available is the nutmeg syrup. However, it can be whipped up in about 10 minutes and a couple of cups worth will keep for a month or so in the refrigerator. For the record, it's just simple syrup with a bit of nutmeg added. But, if you want a full recipe, I have one at the bottom of the page for you.
While I'm sure that this drink came from Beachbum Berry's Sippin' Santa event, I'm not exactly sure who created the drink as (like most Tiki drinks) it's credited to two different people. Joanne Spiegel of Cocktail Kingdom (the marketers of Sippin' Santa) is credited with the version I post here but The Bum's former GM for Latitude 29, Brad Smith (RIP) is named as the creator in an interview with the Atomic Grog.
I certainly hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, I know it is busy and stressful but don't forget to take a minute and enjoy yourself and all of those that have made this past year a bit better than the one before!
Christmas Eve of Destruction
Source - Joann Spiegel (Cocktail Kingdom)
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce nutmeg syrup*
1 ounce Benedictine
1 ounce Plantation OFTD
1 dash Angostura bitters
Build everything in a mixing tin and add 1 cup of crushed ice. Spindle mix for 5 seconds on high and then open pour into a Collins glass. Top with more crushed ice to fill. Garnish is a lime wheel that has several cloves inserted into the meat of the fruit. Dust with nutmeg and enjoy!
*Bamboo Sam's customizations: This drink also works as a swizzle if you don't have a spindle mixer.
Nutmeg Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tsp ground nutmeg
Dissolve sugar (I prefer demerara) in warm water then add nutmeg and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Turn off heat and let it steep until it is cool. Strain through something extremely fine (mesh/cheese cloth/coffee filter) and bottle. It will keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks.