Two glasses of Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail combines the fragrant blend of spices, prune juice, and rum. Garnished with citrus peel and sugared California Prunes

Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail

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This Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail by KC of G-Free Foodie combines the fragrant blend of spices, juice, and rum — perfect for a cozy night in.

What is a Sugar Plum?

Most everyone’s heard of the Sugar Plum Fairy, or can recite the classic line from Twas The Night Before Christmas – “while visions of sugar plums danced through their heads” – but do you know what a sugar plum is?

traditional sugar plums on a wooden board and a bowl of sugar with two sugar plums

A sugar plum is an old-fashioned candy often made and exchanged during the holiday season. Dried fruits (including prunes), toasted nuts and spices are rolled into a ball, and then coated in crunchy sugar. Imagine an incredibly delicious energy ball – but filled with holiday flavors. That’s a pretty good description of a sugar plum.

Why we love this Sugar Plum Cocktail

This warm winter cocktail recipe is reminiscent of the old-fashioned holiday candy. Made with spiced rum, prune juice, orange and cinnamon, it’s exactly the kind of drink you’d want to enjoy while sitting in front of your fireplace during the holiday season. The nostalgic, festive flavors are comforting and incredibly satisfying.

The Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail is ideal for a night of caroling, a snow day, or even a family gathering (save Sugar Plum Cocktails for the adults only, obviously).

two glass mugs of Warm Sugar Plum Cocktails garnished with citrus and cinnamon
Two glasses of Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail combines the fragrant blend of spices, prune juice, and rum. Garnished with citrus peel and sugared California Prunes

Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail shortcuts

Our recipe makes two servings. If you’ll be serving this drink to a crowd, you could add the ingredients (scaled up appropriately) to a slow cooker a few hours in advance of your gathering. Make the garnish ahead of time, set out your glasses (we love using copper or glass mugs) and you’ll have a fabulous self-serve Sugar Plum Cocktail station.

Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail from G-Free Foodie in a glass mug and garnished with citrus, prune and cinnamon

Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail

KC the G-Free Foodie
This Warm Sugar Plum Cocktail by KC of G-Free Foodie combines the fragrant blend of spices, juice, and rum — perfect for a cozy night in.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Beverages
Cuisine Holiday, Quick & Easy
Servings 2
Calories 287 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For cocktail:

  • 8 ounces prune juice
  • 3 ounces spiced rum
  • 1 medium orange for juice and garnish
  • 1 cinnamon stick

For garnish:

  • 2 prunes
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 TBSP sugar
  • Remaining 1 TBSP orange juice

Instructions
 

  • Using a vegetable peeler or a small, sharp knife, carefully cut 4 strips of zest (remove any white pith) from the orange, then juice the orange (yielding at least 3-4 ounces (about 120 ml) , reserving 1 TBSP).
  • Pour the prune juice, spiced rum and fresh orange juice into a small saucepan, and then add the cinnamon stick and two strips of the orange zest.
  • Warm over medium-low heat (slight simmer) for 5 minutes.
  • While the cocktails are warming, prepare the sugar plums by rolling two prunes in the remaining 1 TBSP orange juice (or water will work) and set on a plate, sprinkle with sugar to coat, and allow to dry for 30 seconds, then sprinkle with sugar again.
  • Divide the cocktail between two mugs. Garnish each mug with a piece of orange zest and a sugar plum on a cocktail pick, and a cinnamon stick.

Notes

 
Pair with Spiced Prune Snack Cake for an extra cozy evening!

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 5gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 242IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cocktails, rum, sugar plums, warm winter cocktail
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