This tiki-inspired spiced rum and amaro cocktail is named for the Hawaiian way to say ‘Merry Christmas.’ Rum cocktails are perfect for the holidays and this one is a festive blend of spice and citrus.
Like many tiki cocktails, the ingredients list here might seem a little involved. But it's well worth the effort. I've also included some ways you can substitute ingredients to make this cheerful Christmas cocktail even if you don't have one of the bottles (or syrups) specified below.
This post is sponsored by Spirit Hub. Learn more about how Spirit Hub brings craft spirits from independent distilleries to your doorstep here.
About the ingredients
This recipe was created to showcase the spiced rum and the amaro (bittersweet liqueur) that it uses. These two bottles might not be available where you are, so we'll cover some alternatives that will also work well. But keep in mind that your results will be a bit different depending on your substitutions.
Spiced rum
Merrymeeting Spiced Rum from Portland Maine’s Three of Strong Spirits fortifies with prominent flavors of cinnamon and ginger. This spiced rum tastes like real spices, unlike some artificially flavored and colored spiced rums. If you use an alternative spiced rum for this recipe, go with a high quality bottle. Liquor.com has some great suggestions for spiced rums.
Amaro Amorino
One of the bottles in Spirit Hub’s Ultimate Home Bar Collection that immediately caught my eye is Amaro Amorino. This beautiful liqueur from Washington state’s Letterpress Distillery is gently bittersweet with prominent baking spice and bitter orange. It’s lovely sipped on its own and it added just the right bittersweet layer to this tiki-inspired cocktail that’s all about wintery citrus and spices!
If you're unable to get a bottle of this amaro, you can substitute with another bottle that leans towards spice and citrus. Choose a more mild (in terms of bitterness) amaro such as Averna or Montenegro. While there is no exact substitution that will replicate the flavors of Amaro Amorino, these other amari will still make it a tasty drink.
Lime juice and grapefruit juice
Fresh lime and grapefruit juices add the bright, crisp flavor of winter citrus and lighten up the heavy mix of spice. It's important to use freshly squeezed citrus juices for the best flavor. In a pinch, bottled unsweetened grapefruit juice is ok - but make sure to use fresh lime!
Cinnamon syrup and ginger syrup
Finally, we'll add a bit of sweetness (and a little more spice!) with cinnamon and ginger syrups. Cinnamon simple syrup is very quick and easy to make. You just need a couple of cinnamon sticks, some sugar, and some water. More details on that in the recipe card below!
You can also easily make your own ginger syrup. If you'd rather buy it, choose a quality bottle from brands like Liber & Co or The Ginger People.
Aromatic bitters
A couple of dashes of Hella Aromatic Bitters emphasize the bittersweet flavors and add a finishing touch of clove and allspice. Bitters have been used to add flavor and nuance to cocktails since the very beginning and they are an integral home bar ingredient. If you don't have these bitters, you can substitute with Angostura bitters or Scrappy's Aromatic Bitters.
Full of flavor and perfectly spiced for the season, this cocktail is full of, dare I say, Christmas spirit!
How to make it:
This tasty cocktail contains fruit juices so it’s shaken. I chose to shake and then open pour (rather than strain) the cocktail and then top it up with plenty of crushed ice. This gives the drink an extra dose of dilution and also keeps it extra chilled. A little extra dilution helps to mellow the flavors so that you can enjoy them all.
How to make cinnamon simple syrup
I made a simple syrup infused with cinnamon sticks for this cocktail. Cinnamon simple syrup is a great cocktail (or mocktail) ingredient during the winter months, so it’s worth making a batch and trying it out in other cocktail recipes (such as in place of simple syrup or a sugar cube in an Old Fashioned).
To make my syrup, I heated 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and once the sugar dissolved, I added 2-3 cinnamon sticks (broken into a smaller pieces). I brought the mixture to a boil, then let it simmer for about 5 minutes, and then removed it from the heat. Let the syrup cool to room temp with the cinnamon sticks in it, then strain them out and keep the syrup stored in a closed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
You might also enjoy my Spiced Simple Syrup Recipe.
How to make ginger simple syrup
You can make your own ginger syrup if you like, and it’s not any harder than making cinnamon syrup! I had a bottle of Liber & Co Fiery Ginger Syrup when I made this cocktail, so I used that and it was perfect.
How to make Ginger Simple Syrup for Cocktails
To make your own ginger syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves. Add a piece of fresh, peeled ginger about the size of your thumb for every half cup of sugar. Cut the ginger into several smaller pieces.
You can add more or less to taste, of course. Bring the syrup and ginger to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool completely before straining out the ginger. Store in a closed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
You may also enjoy these other cocktail recipes:
- Pearl Diver (Classic Tiki Cocktail)
- Cranberry Campari Spritz
- Classic Pina Coladas
- Turmeric Chai Hot Buttered Rum
Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz spiced rum (I used Merrymeeting Spiced Rum)
- ½ oz Amaro Amorino
- 1 oz lime juice
- ¾ oz pink grapefruit juice
- ¾ oz cinnamon simple syrup
- ¼ oz ginger simple syrup
- 2 dashes Hella Aromatic Bitters
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill ¾ with ice.
- Shake until chilled, then open pour into a rocks glass.
- Top with plenty of crushed ice, then garnish with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and an edible flower, if desired.