This, my friends, is not a cocktail.  It’s dessert.  I encourage you to treat it as such.  Remember that spiced simple syrup that I made?  It was originally intended for this very cocktail, until it got hijacked for the Winter Spiced Old Fashioned.  I have no regrets.

Actually, if I had to choose between the two I would select the old fashioned.  However, I didn’t have to choose, and since the recipe for spiced simple syrup makes plenty you don’t, either.

Confession:  I only have one photo of this drink.  That could be because it was mixed after a couple of Winter Spiced Old Fashioneds.  Perhaps.  Maybe.  So, how about a large orange cat sitting amongst Christmas lights?  He might be a little fuzzy, too.

Not as good as a cocktail?  Well, then let’s not delay any longer…

Spiced Simple Syrup (Epicurious)
2 c water
1 1/2 c water
1 whole orange, zested
3 tablespoons grated peeled fresh ginger
3 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
3 cardamon pods (squeezed open slightly to allow access to the seeds inside)
2 whole black pepper corns
Put all of the above into a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil then turn down to low and simmer for ten minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain and pour into a sealed container. Store in refrigerator.

Sugar Cookie Martini (adapted from elletalk.com)
4 oz irish cream
4 oz vanilla vodka
3 oz amaretto
1 oz spiced simple syrup

Pour the above ingredients into an ice-filled shaker.  Shake, shake, shake.  Divide between two martini glasses.  Consider yourself wassailed.