Pomander Drop, A Holiday Cocktail

My Homemade Orange, Vanilla and Clove Vodka is a holiday favorite in my house. It is a vodka that is infused with oranges, cloves and vanilla beans that makes a great gift and a fantastic base for a signature holiday cocktail – which is a touch that can make a Christmas party especially memorable! The vodka is inspired by Pomander Balls, which I make every year, and gives a fantastic combination of orange and clove flavor to any cocktail that it is included in.

You can use the vodka in almost any drink that you can think of (it is wonderful in Cosmos, for instance), but if you’re looking for a real signature drink, you might want to give my Pomander Drop a try. This sweet and spicy cocktail really lets the flavors of that homemade vodka infusion shine. The cocktail is made with fresh orange and lemon juice, as well as orange liqueur and simple syrup. This blend gives the drink a slightly sweet citrus base that brings out the orange flavor in the vodka and creates the perfect backdrop for that spicy clove flavor.

I highly recommend putting this recipe on a little card and packaging it with the vodka if you decide to make up a batch as a gift. And I definitely recommend setting a little aside to try it for yourself, as this is one cocktail that really tastes like the holidays!

Pomander Drop
1 1/2 oz Orange, Vanilla and Clove Vodka
3/4 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz fresh orange juice
1/4 oz simple syrup*

Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and then dip the rim of the glass in sugar. Set aside for a minute to allow the sugar to set.
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously until the drink is cold, about 20-30 seconds. Strain into prepared martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist (a piece of lemon peel), if desired.

*Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts water and sugar that is made into a syrup. You can easily make it in just a couple of minutes or it can also be purchased premade.