Spiced Plum Cranberry Old Fashioned

A rich, aromatic twist on the classic Old Fashioned, this cocktail balances aged rum with tart cranberry and deep plum infusions, accented by warming spices of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s bold yet smooth, offering layers of dried fruit, oak, baking spice, and subtle tartness, perfect for slow sipping on a crisp evening. Ingredients: - 40 ml aged rum (preferably with vanilla/oak notes) - 20 ml cranberry liqueur or cranberry infusion* - 15 ml plum liqueur or plum infusion* - 1 barspoon (about 5 ml) simple syrup - 2 dashes aromatic bitters - 1 small pinch ground cinnamon (or 1 dash cinnamon tincture) - 1 small pinch freshly grated nutmeg - Orange peel, for garnish Glassware: - Old Fashioned (rocks) glass Preparation: 1. In a mixing glass, combine the aged rum, cranberry liqueur, plum liqueur, simple syrup, bitters, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add plenty of ice. 2. Stir gently for 20–25 seconds to chill and dilute the drink, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. 3. Strain over a large ice cube into an Old Fashioned glass. 4. Express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in as garnish. *To make a quick cranberry or plum infusion: Combine 100 g fresh or frozen fruit with 100 ml vodka in a jar, let steep for 2–4 days, strain, and sweeten slightly to taste. This cocktail showcases an interplay of oak, tart berry, and plum fruit, layered with gentle spice—decadent, warming, and elegant.