The Perfect Holiday Gifting Cocktail: A Sugar Plum Tequila Old Fashioned

December 6, 2017

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tequila San Matias Tahona. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sure, clothes, gadgets, and thoughtfully chosen books are great to give during the holidays, but let’s be real: there are few things our nearest and dearest would rather find under their tree than a nice bottle of alcohol.

“But doesn’t simply giving someone alcohol seem a bit impersonal? Isn’t it just too easy?” a tiny voice whispers in your head.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THAT VOICE. A bottle of the right stuff is always welcome. However, if you’re looking for a way make your boozy gift feel even more thoughtful (without depriving your friends of what they really want), make them their very-own Sugar Plum Tequila Old Fashioned cocktail kit.

The Sugar Plum Tequila Old Fashioned makes a great gift choice for several reasons. First of all, it’s made with a smooth, flavorful, and artisanal small-batch tequila, Tequila San Matias Tahona (a solid addition to any collection IMO). Classic whiskey Old Fashioneds can be a bit rough for some peoples’ palates, but this tequila version is incredibly easy to sip. Second, the recipient of the kit can customize this drink to suit their personal tastes by adding more or less syrup. Third, this kit isn’t challenging to assemble, but it seems like a lot of work (meaning you get away with with investing very little effort while still looking like you put in serious time). Bingo.

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the kit:

1 large gift box
1 bottle of San Matias Tahona Blanco Tequila
1 small jar of homemade Sugar Plum Syrup*
1 vial of bitters
A pouch of dried plums
1 bunch of dried rosemary sprigs
Recipe card
Christmas decorations (jingle bells, pine sprigs, ribbon, etc.)

Kit assembly instructions:

Begin by decorating your individual items, and then arrange them nicely into the box (feel free to add decorative pine sprigs, jingle bells, etc. at this stage). Don’t forget to add the recipe instructions to the box too!

Here are the cocktail instructions to include:

How to make the cocktail:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz San Matias Tahona Blanco Tequila
1/2-1 oz Sugar Plum Syrup*
3 dashes of bitters (orange, aromatic, or both)
Rosemary sprig
Dried plum
Slice of lemon or orange
1/2 a cup of sugar

Ingredients for the Sugar Plum Syrup:

1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of dried plums

Instructions:

Pour the sugar onto a small plate. Rub the rim of the Old Fashioned glass with a slice of citrus, and then dip the rim into the sugar. Set the glass aside. Next, fill a mixing glass 3/4 full of ice before adding the syrup, the San Matias Tahona Blanco tequila, and the bitters. Stir 25-40 times, and adjust syrup as needed for sweetness. Place a large ice cube in the sugar-rimmed Old Fashioned glass before straining in the liquid. Garnish with a dried plum and a sprig of rosemary.

*Instructions to make the syrup:

Add water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Gradually add sugar while stirring until sugar has completely dissolved. Turn down heat to a low simmer, then add the dried plums. Stir occasionally while the plums simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat and strain out the plums. Allow liquid to cool to room temperature before sealing. Syrup should be stored in the refrigerator and used within five to seven days.