By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 9, 2020
Around the holidays, there’s nothing that warms my soul more than a delicious Gingerbread Martini ! This tequila-based cocktail is made with homemade ginger syrup that’s endlessly versatile (hello, Moscow Mule!). It’s a warming cocktail that’s sure to get the party started!
What’s in This Gingerbread Martini Recipe?
If you are looking for a show-stopping cocktail to serve up this holiday season , you are going to love these gingerbread martinis! Super easy to make and they are so festive! No too sweet with just the right amount of kick!
- Ginger Syrup: This simple syrup (pun intended!) is made from sugar, water, ground ginger, molasses, and a cinnamon stick. It has a festive holiday flavor but also works in any drink that calls for ginger beer or ginger ale.
- Tequila: In testing, I found that reposado (aka: aged) tequila worked best with the ginger flavor. I used El Mayor , but any brand will work.
- Tuaca Liqueur : This Italian sweet brandy has a vanilla-forward flavor with a hint of citrus and spice. If you can’t find it, vanilla vodka is the next best thing.
- Whipped Cream: Regular whipped cream or Cool Whip from the store both work well to add creaminess to this cocktail. You can also make your own stabilized whipped cream that holds up super well as a garnish.
How to Store Homemade Ginger Syrup
Each drink is best shaken and poured just before serving, but you can get ahead of things by making the ginger syrup beforehand. Store it in an airtight container (I like a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Cocktail Garnishes
I like to make these martinis super fun and festive with a few simple garnishes!
- Dip each glass in molasses, then dip in crushed gingerbread cookies .
- Top the drinks with whipped cream for a really indulgent treat.
- Finish with a cinnamon stick or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a delicious aroma.
Notes from the Test Kitchen
If you pour this martini over ice, it will dilute the flavor of the drink as it melts. Plus ice could cause the cream to separate when shaking. Keep things smooth and leave out the ice.
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Ginger Syrup
- ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
- ▢ ½ cup water
- ▢ 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ▢ 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
- ▢ 1 cinnamon stick
For the Gingerbread Martini
- ▢ 1½ ounces tequila We used El Mayor Reposado
- ▢ ¾ ounce Tuaca liqueur can sub vanilla vodka
- ▢ ¾ ounce ginger syrup (from above)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon whipped cream or Cool Whip
Optional Garnishes
- ▢ Whipped cream
- ▢ Cinnamon sticks
- ▢ Crushed or whole gingerbread cookies
Instructions
For the Gingerbread Syrup
- Heat all ingredients for syrup in a small saucepan over medium/high heat. Whisk to combine. 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup water, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses, 1 cinnamon stick
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to come to room temperature before storing in the fridge in an airtight container until use.
For the Martini
- Rim a martini glass with molasses and then dip in crushed gingerbread cookies (optional).
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, Tuaca, ginger syrup, and whipped cream. Shake vigorously to combine. 1½ ounces tequila, ¾ ounce Tuaca liqueur, ¾ ounce ginger syrup, 1 tablespoon whipped cream
- Top with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, and crushed or whole gingerbread cookies (optional). Whipped cream, Cinnamon sticks, Crushed or whole gingerbread cookies
Becky’s Tips
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar with a lid to shake the ingredients together. Shaking is an important step so that the flavors are well blended.
- I find that ground ginger gives the simple syrup the best flavor, but you can use chopped fresh ginger if that’s what you have.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Holiday Cocktails To Try
- Hot Toddy
- Holiday Punch
- Apple Cider Mimosas
- Pumpkin Spice White Russian
- Holiday Sangria
- Apple Cider Hot Toddy
- Christmas Sangria
Gingerbread Martini Recipe
Ingredients
For the Ginger Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses
- 1 cinnamon stick
For the Gingerbread Martini
- 1½ ounces tequila We used El Mayor Reposado
- ¾ ounce Tuaca liqueur can sub vanilla vodka
- ¾ ounce ginger syrup (from above)
- 1 tablespoon whipped cream or Cool Whip
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon sticks
- Crushed or whole gingerbread cookies
Instructions
For the Gingerbread Syrup
- Heat all ingredients for syrup in a small saucepan over medium/high heat. Whisk to combine. 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup water, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses, 1 cinnamon stick
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and allow to come to room temperature before storing in the fridge in an airtight container until use.
For the Martini
- Rim a martini glass with molasses and then dip in crushed gingerbread cookies (optional).
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, Tuaca, ginger syrup, and whipped cream. Shake vigorously to combine. 1½ ounces tequila, ¾ ounce Tuaca liqueur, ¾ ounce ginger syrup, 1 tablespoon whipped cream
- Top with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, and crushed or whole gingerbread cookies (optional). Whipped cream, Cinnamon sticks, Crushed or whole gingerbread cookies
Notes
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar with a lid to shake the ingredients together. Shaking is an important step so that the flavors are well blended.
- I find that ground ginger gives the simple syrup the best flavor, but you can use chopped fresh ginger if that’s what you have.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
