December is the one month every year that I feel like I can truly celebrate gingerbread. I will devour anything gingerbread-related, whether it’s cookies, cakes, or candy. This year, in anticipation of the holiday parties I knew I would be hosting, I decided the ultimate way to enjoy gingerbread would be a cocktail. Genius, right?

The result is the perfect holiday drink that I know I will be bringing out year after year. It has all the flavors you love about gingerbread, perfectly balanced to give you sweetness and spice in every sip. Really it’s the ginger syrup that makes this drink come alive. You get so many flavors out of this simple syrup! You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and use it in this cocktail recipe, or in any other cocktail combinations you can dream up.

INSTRUCTIONS: In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat to low and add sliced ginger, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon stick. Once reduced to a simmer, remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes. Strain and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

To create the Gingerbread Spice Cocktail, add 1 oz of the ginger syrup, vodka, and gingerbread Kailua to a shaker filled with ice. Give the cocktail a hard shake and strain into a rocks glass filled halfway with ice. Serve immediately.