As detailed in my recent December 2025 Author Newsletter (subscribe here)! To celebrate my December birthday, my family took me on a fabulous Murder Mystery Train Ride. The gift was especially appropriate with my cozy mystery, Pumpkin Patch Murder, rolling along toward publication. Along with great company, a gourmet dinner, and a zany, entertaining mystery, I enjoyed an Old Fashioned Cocktail per my annual birthday custom. This time, however, it was a Gingerbread Old Fashioned, and boy was it cozy, warming, and delicious. It was the perfect drink to accompany a mystery train ride that centered around Santa’s missing toy sack.
To help you muster up your own Gingerbread Old Fashioned, here is a recipe.
Use store bought Gingerbread Syrup (Torani brand, for instance, or Da Vinci sugar free gingerbread syrup) or make your own. To make your own, combine 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup molasses, a cup of water, a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and thinly sliced, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp whole allspice,1 tsp whole cloves, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce to low heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat and stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh. Pour into a jar and let cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month. Can be used not only for a Gingerbread Old Fashioned but also elevates your morning coffee to another level and makes a delicious homemade gift.
To make the cocktail, muddle an orange slice and a candied cherry in a rocks glass. Add 1 ounce of gingerbread syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. Fill the glass with ice and stir until well mixed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or twist of orange peel. Enjoy!
