By Jessica Wilson
In the summertime at the homestead we often will enjoy a cocktail hour. The sister a-go-go breaks out a massive tome on drinks and will get to clanging bottles, giving a little shake, shake here and a swizzle-stir there until she has mixed up something right-dandy. While I wasn’t exactly fond of the Pink Lady, I did find the Golden Cadillac quite dreamy. It brought to mind the 1950s split skirts over cigarette pants and Judy Holliday. The Golden Cadillac (sometimes simply called Gold Cadillac) has been a signature drink since 1952 at Poor Red’s in El Dorado, Calif., where it was invented. Made with cream and Galliano, it is considered a digestif and makes for a perfect dessert drink. Super sweet, with just the right amount of kick, I’ve been playing around with it and have created a nifty little New Year’s tribute that can satisfy both your crafty and celebratory selves. I like to call it the Golden Caddy A-Go-Go. This recipe is for two cocktails. Happy New Year!
Ingredients and Materials
1/2 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
3 canning jars with two-part lids (1 large and 2 smaller jars)
Slice of orange
Gold dust or sanding sugar
2oz cream-flavored vodka
3oz white crème de cacao
1oz Galliano
2oz cream
Ice
4″ square piece of tulle
Edible glitter stars in gold
2 gold pom-poms
2 wood skewers
Tacky glue
Directions
Step 1: Prepare some cinnamon sugar syrup by simmering 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Transfer the syrup to a glass measuring cup leaving the cinnamon sticks in the syrup and allow to cool. The syrup will have a golden hue. This is good to make the day of or the day before. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days, and tastes super in coffee!
Step 2: While the syrup is cooling you can whip up a couple of festive swizzle sticks by gluing two shiny gold pom-poms to the top of a wooden skewer using tacky glue. Set aside to dry.
Step 3: Prep your jars by sliding a slice of orange around the rims. Tip your jars upside down onto a small saucer of gold dust or sanding sugar. I mixed white sanding sugar with gold dust in a bowl and it came out super festive.
Step 4: Add all of your liquid ingredients except the sugar syrup to your larger jar. Fill the rest of the jar with crushed ice (you can crush your own ice by placing it in a sealable bag and whacking it with a tenderizer, rolling pin, or hammer). Replace the lid and shake it up!
Step 5: Remove the lid and place your tulle tautly over the top, then add the ring part of the lid (give the tulle a tug to tighten it). Ta-da, a pretty and crafty cocktail shaker! Pour into your two smaller jars, add a splash of cinnamon syrup, give it a swirl with your swizzle stick, and add a smattering of those happy golden stars.
Step 6: Give a toast to the New Year and enjoy (responsibly, of course)! You can adjust the cream and sugar syrup to your liking. I like more cream and a wee bit less vodka. The serving may be a small one, but I promise you it packs a punch! You can also serve it up in shot glasses. You can always skip the vodka as well, if you are low or can’t find the flavorful kind. Happy New Year!
About the Author:
Jessica Wilson is most happily known as “jek in the box” and spends most of her time crafting it up and taking pictures. She can often be found standing on benches over on Flickr and creating all sorts of kiddie crafts on her blog scrumdilly-do! She lives a life of scrumdillydilly and loves to share.
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