Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Other Cocktails

Harvest Nog

Written by
Vance Henderson
Published 11/16/16
Image: Tim Nusog

This drink doubles as a dessert and cocktail in one. Two different approaches to preparing acorn squash allow the vegetable to flex its muscles in a couple of different directions. For the vegetable-cocktail skittish, though, never fear: Allspice and clove help the drink to retain a more traditional “nog” flavor profile while adding in a welcome dose of crispness.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Drambuie liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Green acorn squash cordial*
  • 1 oz Roasted white acorn squash purée**
  • 1 scoop Vanilla ice cream
  • Garnish: Grated nutmeg

Steps

  1. Add all the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously.

  2. Double-strain into a double-rocks glass over ice, and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

  3. *Green acorn squash cordial: Add 1.5 cups of squash purée, 1 cup granulated sugar and .5 tsp of whole allspice into a saucepan, and bring to a simmer, stirring slowly. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Once cool, strain through fine-mesh cloth into a clean bowl. Stir in 1 cup of vodka in the mixture until combined. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

  4. **Roasted white acorn squash purée: Quarter and deseed a whole squash, then pierce the squash flesh with 10 to 12 cloves, depending on the size of the squash. Roast at 414°F in an oven-safe pan until the flesh is tender. Allow to cool and remove the cloves. Place the cooled squash in a blender, and pulse until smooth, streaming in cold water until the desired purée consistency is reached. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.