A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Carol singers may be the only ones who consistently know all the lyrics to The Twelve Days of Christmas, but everyone at least knows the opening line:

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. 

Originally printed in the 1780 English Book "Myrth without Mischief," this classic holiday singalong song may be more in the vein of "this is the song that doesn't end" than any other, but when my manager asked our team to come up with a couple of drinks inspired by the lyrics, a fun series of seasonal drinks emerged. 

Below are my two additions to the 2016 holiday menu for the University Club Atop Symphony Towers in downtown San Diego. 

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

2 oz      Cutwater Spiced Rum

.75 oz   Holiday Spice Syrup

.75 oz   Lemon Juice 

3 slices Pear

Chill a coupe or martini glass. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and muddle pear. Shake for 10 seconds with ice, then pour through a mesh strainer into martini glass. Garnish with a slice of pear on the rim of the glass. 

Note: Since the rum used for this drink has strong notes of vanilla, I highly suggest using this rum and not an alternative. If you can't find this San Diego distilled spirit, try using a different spiced rum and adding a few drops of vanilla to it. 

Three Turtle Doves

2 oz    Beefeater Dry Gin

.75 oz Cardamom Syrup

.75 oz Lemon Juice

1         Egg White 

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds. Add ice and shake for an additional five seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Sprinkle with ground cardamom for garnish. 

Note: When using raw egg in a cocktail, make sure that the egg is both fresh and if possible, organic.