I wonder if the chances of Santa leaving a sable under the tree this year – or indeed a ’54 convertible, light blue – might be significantly improved by amping-up the glass of sherry left out for him with a mince pie on Christmas Eve night.
This ‘Santa, Baby’ cocktail (created by my husband, James) makes a nod to that sherry tradition with its fino. With some festive fizz and my favourite sloe gin – the Williams Chase Sloe and Mulberry – the resulting drink is a fabulously sparkly yet sophisticated red colour. The bitters and grated nutmeg garnish add a seasonal spiciness too.
‘Santa, Baby’
For two glasses:
100ml Williams Chase Sloe and Mulberry gin
50 ml fino sherry
4 dashes of The Bitter Truth ‘Old Time Aromatic Bitters’
100ml sparkling wine
whole nutmeg
Put the gin, fino and bitters into a cocktail tin that is packed with ice. Give it all a good stir and strain into two iced martini glasses. Top up each glass with 50ml of sparkling wine per glass. Grate a dusting of nutmeg on top for garnish.
A cocktail as good as this must surely tempt Santa to give you a ring. I don’t mean on the phone….
