Chef notes
We are taking the traditional Caribbean holiday rum cocktail and giving it a twist! At Milly's Neighborhood Bar in Bed-Stuy, where I am beverage director, we make a chile-cinnamon syrup. We love the complexity of the earthy cinnamon with a subtle hint of cayenne. Adding this to the cocktail with the seasonal flavor of pumpkin makes it a perfect holiday treat that you can make in batches and store for the holiday season.
Technique tip: Use a blender, hand blender or hand mixer to incorporate the ingredients. Chill the mixture overnight to let the ingredients marry. Buy a holiday themed cookie or coffee beverage stencil.
Swap option: If you need to make this in a pinch, buy a ready-made cinnamon syrup and add the cayenne according to your spice preference.
