Saratoga Holiday Cocktail

By Yewande Komolafe

Published Dec. 2, 2020

Saratoga Holiday Cocktail
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Rating
4(212)
Comments
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This festive drink is based on the Saratoga cocktail, a riff on a Manhattan that first appeared in Jerry Thomas’s “The Bar-Tender’s Guide” in 1862. It’s named after the New York State resort town famous for its mineral springs. This version incorporates brandied dried fruit, which carries notes of citrus and warming spices. The bitters help bring out the currant and cranberry notes in the fruit. Garnish with a twist of orange or a grating of nutmeg.

Featured in: Let This Festive Brandied Fruit Lift Your Holidays

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink
  • 2tablespoons brandied dried fruit
  • 1ounce rye whiskey
  • 1ounce brandy
  • 1ounce sweet vermouth
  • 2dashes aromatic bitters
  • 1orange twist or freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

221 calories; 1 gram fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 14 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 3 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Add brandied dried fruit, rye, brandy, sweet vermouth and bitters to a cocktail shaker. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds to incorporate the fruit. Add ice and stir again for 20 to 30 seconds or until sufficiently chilled.

  2. Step 2

    Using a cocktail strainer, strain the cocktail into a coupe glass and garnish with a twist of orange or a fresh grating of nutmeg.

Ratings

4 out of 5
212 user ratings
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Comments

Brothbroad

The drained fruit can be used in the scone recipe, also linked to the brandied fruit recipe. Would also be great on a toasted multigrain bread with mascarpone.

Liz

Why not just eat the fruit? Then it will be a healthy drink.

Rachel Hest

After making the cocktail, I'm going to put the dried fruit I used back in the jar with the brandied fruits.

PABlues

This was a fun balanced cocktail as written. I swapped cognac for brandy because I used up brandy making the brandies fruit. I left the fruit in the drink and found a last sweet sip at the very end. Served on rocks to keep it simple. Very nice. Agree nutmeg garnish was essential. Now making the brandies fruit scones…

Schmincke

Found this too herbal and sour. Added a splash of triple sec and loved it then.

Lex

I made this with leftover brandied cherries from last Christmas that have been in my fridge for a year. I was scared it might be toxic but we are alive today. My mother in law says brandied dried fruit can last for decades even without the fridge.

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