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Saratoga Holiday Cocktail
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Ingredients
- 2tablespoons brandied dried fruit
- 1ounce rye whiskey
- 1ounce brandy
- 1ounce sweet vermouth
- 2dashes aromatic bitters
- 1orange twist or freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Preparation
- Step 1
Add brandied dried fruit, rye, brandy, sweet vermouth and bitters to a cocktail shaker. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds to incorporate the fruit. Add ice and stir again for 20 to 30 seconds or until sufficiently chilled.
- Step 2
Using a cocktail strainer, strain the cocktail into a coupe glass and garnish with a twist of orange or a fresh grating of nutmeg.
Private Notes
Cooking Notes
The drained fruit can be used in the scone recipe, also linked to the brandied fruit recipe. Would also be great on a toasted multigrain bread with mascarpone.
After making the cocktail, I'm going to put the dried fruit I used back in the jar with the brandied fruits.
Why not just eat the fruit? Then it will be a healthy drink.
So we're to strain out the fruit? Seems wasteful.
I made this with leftover brandied cherries from last Christmas that have been in my fridge for a year. I was scared it might be toxic but we are alive today. My mother in law says brandied dried fruit can last for decades even without the fridge.
This was a fun balanced cocktail as written. I swapped cognac for brandy because I used up brandy making the brandies fruit. I left the fruit in the drink and found a last sweet sip at the very end. Served on rocks to keep it simple. Very nice. Agree nutmeg garnish was essential. Now making the brandies fruit scones…
Found this too herbal and sour. Added a splash of triple sec and loved it then.
I made this with leftover brandied cherries from last Christmas that have been in my fridge for a year. I was scared it might be toxic but we are alive today. My mother in law says brandied dried fruit can last for decades even without the fridge.
Oh so good! Added a little Detroit Verners ginger ale for a 313 Saratoga! Yeah. Yum.
I reduced the 1 oz pours to 3/4 oz and added 3/4 oz of simple syrup, in order to accomodate some folks who like their cocktails less liquor forward. The changes produced a well-rounded, festive drink. Consider adding orange bitters and don't skip the nutmeg!
Superb. I've had fruit aging for a Christmas stollen since October, and this was a great way to use it. But don't strain it out---it's your bonus reward for the end of this delightful drink.
Any substitute for sweet vermouth? Have all elements but that and Christmas Day means no open shops here in upstate NY. Help!
Better late than never... "The best sweet vermouth substitute? Dry red wine, with a touch of simple syrup. If you've got a bottle around, a dry red captures those bitter notes that are classic in a sweet vermouth. Add simple syrup to taste, then use it as a 1:1 replacement."
Yummy! Didn't have brandied fruit so we used cherries. Also, used campari for bitters. Very festive!
Why not just eat the fruit? Then it will be a healthy drink.
I don't like rye so used bourbon; was out of brandy (forgot I used it all for the fruit!) so used benedictine. I left the fruit in the glass to enjoy after drinking it. I don't mind a cloudy/ muddled drink at all. Very very tasty.
Recommend straining through a sieve, julep strainer left it cloudy with spices and lemon pith
Broke into the brandied fruit after four days. Cocktail is delicious and so festive looking. The nutmeg adds another layer of scent.
After making the cocktail, I'm going to put the dried fruit I used back in the jar with the brandied fruits.
Wow this sounds good! Making the fruit now...
I agree, would prefer the fruit to munch on after the liquid is consumed.
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