Oh, the holidays! They just wouldn’t be the same without a really good drink in hand, right? I’ve been playing around with holiday cocktails for years, trying to capture that cozy, festive feeling in a glass. And let me tell you, this Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon is IT. It’s got that warm bourbon kick, a touch of sweet honey, and just the right amount of spice to make you feel all snuggly inside. It’s become my go-to when we have friends over or just want to unwind by the fire. It smells absolutely divine while you’re making it, too!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Seriously, this drink is a total winner for so many reasons. It’s:

Super Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a fancy bartender for this. Everything just gets shaken and strained. Perfect for when you’re busy hosting!
Just the Right Balance: It’s not too sweet, not too boozy. The honey, bourbon, and spices just play so nicely together.
Festive Perfection: The cinnamon stick and star anise look so pretty, and the orange peel adds this amazing aroma. It really elevates the whole holiday vibe.
A Crowd-Pleaser: Even folks who aren’t huge bourbon drinkers seem to love this one because of the added sweetness and spice. It’s great for parties!

Essential Ingredients for Your Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Okay, let’s talk about what you need to make this magic happen. It’s pretty straightforward, but the quality of your ingredients really makes a difference:

2 ounces good quality bourbon: You don’t need the super expensive stuff, but pick a bourbon you actually enjoy drinking on its own. It’s the star of the show here!
0.75 ounces honey syrup: This is just a simple mix of equal parts honey and hot water. Stir them together until the honey is fully dissolved. It makes the honey easier to mix into the cold drink.
0.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice: Fresh is key! Bottled stuff just doesn’t have that bright, zesty flavor.
2 dashes Angostura bitters: These little drops add a layer of complexity and spice that you can’t get anywhere else.
1 whole cinnamon stick: This is for both flavor and garnish. Make sure it’s a nice, sturdy one.
2 whole star anise pods: Again, these are for flavor and that gorgeous festive look.
One strip of fresh orange peel for garnish: Twist it over the drink to release the oils before dropping it in. It smells incredible!

Crafting Your Perfect Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Alright, let’s get down to business and make this amazing drink! It really couldn’t be simpler, which is perfect when you’re juggling all the holiday chaos. You’ll have a delicious, warming cocktail ready in just a few minutes.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide for Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Grab your shaker and let’s get started. First thing’s first, you’ll want to combine all the liquid ingredients right into your cocktail shaker. That means your bourbon, that lovely honey syrup we talked about, the fresh lemon juice, and those essential dashes of Angostura bitters. Don’t be shy with the bitters; they really make a difference!

Next, and this is super important for getting that perfect, crisp chill, fill your shaker generously with ice. Like, fill it almost to the top. Now, put the lid on tight – trust me, you don’t want a leaky shaker when you’re shaking! Give it a good, vigorous shake for about 15-20 seconds. You want it to be *really* cold. You’ll feel the shaker get frosty in your hands, which is exactly what you’re looking for. This is what makes our Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon so refreshing!

Once it’s thoroughly chilled, grab your favorite rocks glass and fill it with fresh ice. Then, just strain the mixture from your shaker into the glass. Pour it slowly so it looks nice and smooth. It’s really that easy!

Tips for an Exceptional Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Want to take your cocktail from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a couple of my favorite tricks:

Adjust the Sweetness: My honey syrup ratio is a good starting point, but everyone likes their drinks a little differently. If you prefer it sweeter, just add a tiny bit more honey syrup. If you like it tarter, a splash more lemon juice works wonders. Taste and adjust!
Infuse for Extra Flavor: For a really deep, complex spice flavor, try infusing your bourbon beforehand. Just add the cinnamon stick and star anise to your bourbon bottle (or a smaller jar) a few hours, or even overnight, before you plan to make your drinks. Strain out the spices before you use the bourbon. It makes a noticeable difference!

Garnishing Your Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Now for the fun part – making it look as good as it tastes! Drop that cinnamon stick and the star anise into the glass. Then, take your strip of orange peel, give it a little twist over the top of the drink to release those amazing citrus oils, and then nestle it in with the spices. So pretty!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Got questions about this festive sipper? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make this Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon ahead of time?
You can mix the bourbon, honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters together and keep it in the fridge for a day or so. But definitely wait to shake it with ice and strain it right before you’re ready to serve. And always add the fresh garnishes at the very end for the best aroma and look!

Q: What kind of bourbon is best for this spiced bourbon drink?
Honestly, any decent bourbon you enjoy will work! I usually go for something in the middle range – not too harsh, not too sweet. A nice smooth bourbon really lets the honey and spices shine without overpowering them.

Q: I don’t have Angostura bitters, what else can I use?
Angostura is pretty unique, but if you don’t have it, you could try another aromatic bitter. A pinch of ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of ground clove stirred into the honey syrup would also add some of that warm spice complexity, though it won’t be exactly the same.

Q: Is there a non-alcoholic version of this festive bourbon recipe?
You could totally make a non-alcoholic version! Swap the bourbon for a good quality non-alcoholic spirit or even just some sparkling apple cider or ginger ale. Keep the honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters (or spice alternatives), shake with ice, strain, and garnish. It won’t have the same depth, but it’ll still be delicious and festive!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Let’s talk specifics about these ingredients, because they really do make a difference in your Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon. For the bourbon, I usually reach for something like Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace – a good mid-range bourbon that’s smooth and has a nice warmth. But honestly, use what you have and what you like! If you don’t have honey syrup, you can just use regular honey, but you might need to shake it a bit longer to make sure it dissolves completely into the cold liquid.

If you’re out of Angostura bitters, don’t fret! You can try using Peychaud’s bitters, or even a dash of orange bitters if that’s what you have. Another idea is to add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon and a whisper of ground clove directly into the shaker along with the other ingredients. It won’t be exactly the same, but it still gets you that lovely spiced flavor profile. And for the lemon juice, always, always fresh! It’s worth squeezing it yourself.

Serving and Storage for Your Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

This Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon is absolutely best served right away while it’s perfectly chilled and the garnishes are fresh. Pour it into your favorite rocks glass filled with nice, cold ice, and those spices and orange peel will do their thing, releasing all those wonderful aromas. It’s meant to be enjoyed immediately, maybe while you’re unwrapping presents or just cozying up by the fire.

As for storing any leftovers? Well, the cocktail itself isn’t really something you want to store. But if you make extra honey syrup, just pop it into a little jar or airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for a good couple of weeks and is super handy to have for more cocktails or even just to stir into your morning tea. The fresh garnishes are best used right away, though!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon

Just a little note that the nutritional info for this tasty Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon is an estimate. It can totally change depending on the exact brands of bourbon and honey you use, and how generous you are with that honey syrup! It’s always best to think of this as a festive treat rather than something to track closely for calorie or sugar counts.

For more festive drink ideas, check out our holiday cocktail recipes. If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, our mocktail section has plenty of options. And for a classic cocktail inspiration, you might enjoy our Smoky Old Fashioned.

Christmas Honey Spiced Bourbon: 2 Perfect Cheers

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A festive and warming cocktail featuring bourbon, honey, and warming spices, perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

2 oz Bourbon
0.75 oz Honey Syrup (1:1 honey and hot water)
0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
1 Cinnamon Stick
2 Star Anise Pods
Orange Peel for garnish

Instructions

Combine bourbon, honey syrup, lemon juice, and bitters in a cocktail shaker.
Add ice to the shaker.
Shake well until thoroughly chilled.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, and an orange peel.

Notes

Adjust honey syrup to your preferred sweetness.
For a richer flavor, let the spices infuse in the bourbon for a few hours before making the cocktail.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Cocktail
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 250
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Christmas, Honey, Spiced, Bourbon, Cocktail, Holiday, Festive, Winter, Drink