07 Dec 12 Drinks of Christmas: Cat’s Collar
12 Drinks of Christmas: Cat’s Collar
Welcome to the Twelve Drinks of Christmas. Over the next two weeks and change, bringing us to the very edge of Christmas Eve, we’ll be giving our top twelve suggestions of cocktails to make your holidays merry and bright. Some of them are good pitcher drinks, perfect for your Christmas party; others are best enjoyed with a friend or two by the fire. Feel free to drink along. But remember to drink responsibly: spread them out over the holidays; don’t drink all twelve on Christmas Day. It wouldn’t go at all well with 12 drummers drumming.
For our first drink of Christmas, we’re happy to serve to you Cat’s Collar*.
We offered this one with several others options at a recent party, and it was the clear hit. It seems to fit people’s imagination of what winter should taste like. It’s warm and comfortable, and the spices and pears give it the aroma and flavor of a dessert right out of the oven.
We used Pure Kentucky XO Bourbon, which has a lot of the spiciness usually associated with rye whiskey. It added to the spice mix of the drink nicely, but I don’t think anyone would have complained if we used a more typically smooth and sweet Bourbon.
This is a fairly high alcohol drink, particularly as we made it: Pure Kentucky XO is also overproofed. So, be prepared for a bit of a kick. But if you’re a Bourbon lover or want to be warmed up on a cold, winter day, we think you’ll like this one.
*This was named in honor of the party’s hostess. Is it cat’s (meow) collar or a girl named Cat who wears a special collar? Place your bets.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Bourbon
- 1 oz pear liqueur
- .5 oz allspice dram
- slice of pear (as garnish)
Instructions
- stir Bourbon, pear liqueur, and allspice dram in a mixing glass with ice;
- strain into a cocktail glass;
- garnish with pear;
- let the warmth seep into your body.
Making it for a group?
This is an easy one to mix ahead of time, chill in the refrigerator and then serve over ice. However, it’s a strong cocktail so if you make it in a pitcher you’ll want to keep close control on serving privileges (i.e. “Oh no, no. Let me get that for you”) or only set out very tiny glasses to enforce some portion control.
To serve 8 use: 1 cup bourbon, 1 cup pear liqueur, 1/2 cup allspice dram, and slice 1 whole pear for garnish.
