Ginger Snap Cocktails are a must-have during the holiday season. A delicious cookie in a cup, this easy and festive drink recipe is full of the warm and spicy, winter flavours we look forward to all year long.
What is a Ginger Snap Cocktail?
When I think of the classic, full-of-Grandma's-love gingersnaps, I get hit with a wave of nostalgia. The smell of freshly-baked cookies, sneaking small bites of dough, and kids placing little balls of soon-to-be cookies onto a baking sheet. Now, as an all-grown-up adult, I have turned one of my favorite childhood cookie recipes into a delicious holiday cocktail (or mocktail)!
Simple, spicy, and full of winter comfort, these easy gingersnap cookie cocktails stir up all best winter flavours -- ginger, molasses, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. This drink -- made alcoholic or not -- really does taste just like the classic gingersnaps we all love. Each delightfully delicious sip feels like a warm cozy winter treat.
The Perfect Holiday Cocktail
This Ginger Snap Cocktail is definitely a winter drink and is absolutely perfect around the holidays. If you're planning a safe, socially-distanced holiday gathering, Ginger Snaps make for a lovely "welcome" drink. Keeping things simple at home? They are also absolutely delightful for sipping by a toasty fire on Christmas Eve.
Fair warning, this is a very sweet cocktail -- you could even serve this drink as a dessert. Contrast the sweetness of this delicious holiday drink by serving alongside some spiced nuts or my Spiced Lemon Roasted Chickpeas. A fruit platter or Holiday Charcuterie Board both make for another perfect pairing, as do pastries, cookies, and other sweet treats.
Want to learn more about pairing cocktails and food? Check out this guide from epicurious: Dare to Pair Cocktails and Food.
Here's What You Need to Make this Recipe
Vodka vs. Rum
A dark rum seemed, at first, to be the obvious choice for this drink. However, because rum has a very distinct taste of its own, it detracted from the overall goal of the recipe, which was, again, to recreate the classic gingersnap cookie. When I did some research, I saw a few recipes that were called "Ginger Snap" cocktails, but, other than the ginger, there really was no cookie connection. I went back to the drawing board and decided that, since I planned to use molasses in the cocktail recipe, dark rum wasn't quite the right choice. I ended up using vodka as the spirit for my Ginger Snap Cocktails because its more neutral flavour allows the gingersnap flavours to be the star of the show.
Equipment
Ok, so technically you can mix your cocktail ingredients in any number of ways. That being said, investing in a cocktail shaker really is worth it -- no other mixology method really integrates the flavours and ingredients as well. Personally, I thought a cocktail shaker was just another unnecessary kitchen tool for the longest time, but (aside from it being fun to shake) I soon realized that my shaken drinks just tasted better. They're more fully combined and, if you're shaking with ice, are perfectly cool when poured into your favorite cocktail glass.
Ingredients
Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
- Sugar
- Water
- Fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- Cinnamon stick
- Cloves
- Star anise
Ginger Snap Cocktail
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Ginger snap simple syrup
- Molasses
- Vodka
- Club soda
How to Make This Recipe, Step By Step
Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
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In a sauce pan, combine sugar, water, ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
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Remove from heat, strain, and allow to cool completely
Ginger Snap Cocktail
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On a plate, combine sugar and cinnamon
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Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with water, then invert the glass in the sugar cinnamon mixture to coat the rim
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In a cocktail shaker, add simple syrup, molasses, vodka, and ice. Shake until combined.
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Pour into the cocktail glass, then top up with club soda
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Garnish with fresh ginger slices
Tips, Tricks, and Variations for this Holiday Cocktail
Make your own Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is the base of this cocktail, as well as many others. Simple syrup really is simple: just equal parts water and sugar, along with any flavour components (like ginger snap), simmered until thickened into a syrup. Ginger snap simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. The syrup is versatile and you can use it for more than just cocktails. Drown your pancakes or waffles in it, drizzle on ice cream or pound cake, or just stir it into your coffee or tea -- the possibilities are endless.
No Alcohol Required
This Ginger Snap Cocktail makes for a delicious mocktail! Just leave out the vodka for a festive and delicious, non-alcoholic drink that kids and non-imbibers can enjoy, too.
Don't Forget the Presentation
Part of the fun with cocktails is the pretty glasses, the garnishes and the flavour combos. I rimmed the cocktail glasses with cinnamon sugar and garnished with ginger slices for an even more festive touch. Remember, the mocktail should look just as great! It's always fun to include children so they, too, can have a special drink on a special occasion.
Want more festive cocktails? Try my Ginger Blueberry Martini, Spiked Iced Tea Rum Cocktail or my Prosecco Margarita Cocktail.
Ginger Snap Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 2 star anise
Ginger Snap Cocktail
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
- 1 tbsp Molasses
- 2 oz vodka
- 6 oz club soda
Instructions
Ginger Snap Simple Syrup
- In a sauce pan, combine sugar, water, ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, strain, and allow to cool completely
Ginger Snap Cocktail
- On a plate, combine sugar and cinnamon
- Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with water, then invert the glass in the sugar cinnamon mixture to coat the rim
- In a cocktail shaker, add simple syrup, molasses, vodka, and ice. Shake until combined.
- Pour into the cocktail glass, then top up with club soda
- Garnish with fresh ginger slices
What a superb drink! Can feel the gorgeous smell filling in the room.
Sunrita, yes, you are so right. Theis drink smells as good as it tastes!
Ginger is my weakness, and vodka is my poison. So obviously, I loved this recipe and I can't wait to make it again. Love how cool it looks too!
This sounds like a perfect drink for you, Tonje. So happy that you loved it! Cheers.
Wow, this doesn’t just look festive, but looks delicious. I am adding this to my to-do list. Thanks for the recipe.
You're welcome, Sophie! It is a delicious drink. Enjoy!
That's a stunning cocktail because of the color from the molasses. Loving all the flavors!
Thanks Jill! Cheers.
This is such a fun and festive drink throughout winter and holiday season. I'll be sure to stock up on club soda so it can be an everyday drink. 🙂
Thanks, Anita! It really is fun and festive. Enjoy!
Colleen, this is such a lovely and playful cocktail idea -- I love the creativity! I hope you're having a lovely holiday week. Cheers!
Thanks so much, Justine! Cheers.
What a cool idea for a cocktail. I love ginger snaps, so I really want to try this!
You're going to love it, Matt! Cheers.
This cocktail is definitely a drink to cozy up to by the fireplace. It looks and sounds so refreshing Colleen...happy holidays!
Thanks, Marisa, I'm hoping that you will get a chance to cozy up and sip this drink. Happy Holidays to you!
The PERFECT cozy winter cocktail! Although, I have to admit that you had me at "cookie in cocktail form"
Hi, Terri! This is such an amazing cocktail. Enjoy!
Yum! I think this would be a great addition to the dessert table... or instead of the dessert table.
Haha, I like your thinking, Trish! 😂 Cheers!
This is such a delightful drink to enjoy through the holidays! Who doesn't love ginger snap cookies? This would be a hit at every party!
Hi Nicoletta, it really was a hit at ours. Thanks for stopping by!
Great cocktail to enjoy all through the winter!
It really is a great winter cocktail, Philip. Cheers!
I want to try this one. I love ginger
It's really yummy, Amalia!