Ok, I know it’s not everyone’s favourite, but I love Christmas cake!

As someone who bakes quite often, victoria sponge, banana loaf, chocolate cake and lemon drizzle are all great, but commonly made and readily consumed (Spoilt? Perhaps!) and so don’t give me the special occasion feels.

The Fruit cake, however, gets reserved for big occasions. You know, weddings, Easter, and most importantly, CHRISTMAS!

It is no wonder, therefore, that when I originally heard about the simnel sour cocktail, I had to try it out immediately. That was at Easter, and I absolutely LOVED it, so I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to shake up a few more of these again, and now that Christmas is here, that time was this weekend!

They were as delicious as I remembered them, so much so that I broke my own self-imposed no-booze November rule. The internal feeling of failure was totally worth it.

So now I’m sure you are eager to know how you can make your very own Christmas cake in a glass, and I am here to spread the Christmas cheer and hand that wisdom over to you.

These are so perfect for kicking off a Christmas party (even if it is just for 3 households) or just enjoying in front of the fire with a good old Christmas film on the TV. They would also make a delicious welcome drink for a winter/Christmas wedding.

SIMNEL SOUR COCKTAIL RECIPE

Serves: 2 large portions, 4 small portions

INGREDIENTS

100ml Amaretto

25ml Brandy

100ml Sherry

50ml Mulling syrup

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 orange

Ice

Golden Marzipan, rolled into balls (large marble-sized)

INSTRUCTIONS

Using a blow torch (ideally), singe the marzipan balls carefully, to give them a slightly toasted effect. If you don’t have a blow torch, you can do this on a baking sheet under the grill. However you do this bit, do it carefully. Once cold, skewer with a cocktail stick.
Fill your glasses with ice. This recipe will do 4 small glasses or 2 larger tumblers (we prefer doing this to serve two).
Pour the Amaretto, brandy, sherry, mulling syrup, lemon and orange juice into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels really cold.
Strain into your glasses, laying the skewered marzipan balls across the rim of the glass (see picture) and serve.

I personally would drink this with a slice of Christmas cake just to take the Christmas cake experience to level 100, but for some, I appreciate, that might be a step too far.

Also, I think a glace cherry on the cocktail stick would be a delicious addition (the good ideas always come to me after I’ve made the drink!).

Ok, that’s all for now, more Christmas cocktails and drinks coming this way very soon!

If you make a Simnel Sour this Christmas then we would LOVE to see your cocktails, please do tag us on social @thefizzypheasant. If you have another favourite Christmas cocktail you think we should try, tell us in the comments below so that we can make those too!