Caribbean Carol

Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Caribbean Carol.

Sometimes December is all twinkle lights and cinnamon buns. Other times it’s grey skies, sloppy sidewalks, and an inbox that has you wondering, “How hard would it *really* be to find a sugar daddy?” This drink is for both versions of December — because one sip and suddenly you’re on a beach wearing a stupidly cute kaftan, even if you’re actually in Canada a down parka that looks more like a sleeping bag than outerwear.

Caribbean Carol is holiday Tiki with winter attitude: rum, Campari, orange curaçao, gingerbread syrup, and amaretto, brightened with lime and crowned with mint. It’s dramatic in the nicest way.

Tasting notes

Smith & Cross rum brings funky tropical richness, Campari adds a bitter snap, and gingerbread syrup makes everything taste like spiced cookies got invited to a pool party. Amaretto delivers a soft nutty glow underneath, while lime keeps the whole thing energetic and crisp. It’s festive, juicy, and somehow both naughty and nice.

Crushed ice is your friend here. It chills fast, dilutes gently, and gives you that airy swizzle texture you want in a drink like this. If your crushed-ice supply is looking bleak, put cubes in a bag and whack them like you’re releasing pent-up holiday stress. It counts as self-care.

If this Caribbean Carol has your mouth watering, check out my similar recipes:

• Santiki Claus
• Jungle Bird
• Tropical Turtledove

You may be wondering how we made these images. No, it’s not AI. Michael (my fiance and the handsome man you see in these photos) recently started his own contracting company, Square Build Co. He was in the midst of a major bathroom renovation project and brought home the box from his client’s new tub so we could create these images and the corresponding iconic Instagram reel.

We removed the bottom of the box, cut it down to size, and carved out a head-sized hole in the top so I could sit on a stool inside the box and pop my head up to steal sips of Michael’s drink. If you haven’t seen the video, check it out on my Instagram page.

Tutorial at 5 p.m. Eastern on Stories — I’ll walk you through the build, the swizzle, and why mint always makes a drink feel like it has its life together more than we do.

Cheers, friends!

Caribbean Carol

Print

Caribbean Carol

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

A holiday Tiki riff with rum, Campari bitterness, nutty amaretto, and gingerbread spice, brightened by lime and finished with a refreshing flourish of mint.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Tiki

Keyword: Amaro, Campari, Let’s Get Blitzen, Liqueur, Rum

Servings: 1

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Smith & Cross Rum
• ½ oz orange curacao
• ½ oz gingerbread syrup
• ¼ oz amaretto
• 1 oz lime juice
• Garnish: mint bouquet
• Garnish: three cranberries

Gingerbread Syrup

• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp fancy molasses
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger thinly sliced
• 1 tsp whole allspice berries
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a Tiki mug or rocks glass over crushed ice.
3. Garnish with a mint bouquet and three cranberries skewered on a cocktail pick.

Gingerbread Syrup

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently.
2. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for about 20 minutes until syrup is slightly thickened.
3. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
4. Fine-strain into an airtight container.
5. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.