If one eminently speedy gingerbread man imparted a lesson, it was this: There is no escape for holiday treats. This is especially true of gingerbread — were it safely injectable into the bloodstream, some winter celebrants would be hooked up to an IV around the clock.
As it stands, this spicy, brown-sugar confection is best consumed orally — roughly twice a day as needed, according to some anonymous Christmas experts. In Greater Tampa Bay, there is no shortage of opportunities to get a gingerbread fix this Winter. Here are five of them:
Gingerbread confections, Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens believes in feeding all animals, and that includes human visitors.
This year, Busch Gardens is offering two different takes on gingerbread, and neither one requires a whole lot of chewing. Try the gingerbread ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, and then wash it all down with some hot gingerbread cocoa.
Ginger S.N.A.P., Santa’s Social Club
Every year, Dunedin’s Sonder Social Club does a little holiday rebranding, temporarily emerging as Santa’s Social Club. No one expects St. Nick to make it through his holiday workload without a few stiff drinks, and the Ginger S.N.A.P. is a plausible explanation for those ruddy cheeks — Johnny Walker whiskey, Harleston Green scotch, a dash of lemon, a helping of honey and some lemongrass-and-clove syrup.
This is technically not gingerbread-flavored, but it is obviously bubbling with that spicy gingerbread spirit.
Gingerbread martini, Timpano’s
Tuesday + Timpano’s = budget-friendly beverages. Specifically, this otherwise dull weekday is now the prime time for $3 martinis.
This year, Timpano’s offers a gingerbread martini with gingerbread liqueur and Bailey’s Irish Cream. It does not come with a big green olive unless patrons enjoy ruining perfectly drinkable cocktails for some reason. Everyone celebrates Christmas a little differently.
Gingy, Tampa Bay Brewing Co.
The Tampa Bay Brewing Co. brewers are at it again, cranking up the Christmas spirit with gingy, the festive holiday porter. The can features an appropriately orange-bearded man named “John,” whom patrons may not find delicious. Still, the drink’s flavors undeniably treat the palate with top-notch chocolate, molasses and caramel. Eventually, cinnamon, nutmeg and a bold gingerbread aroma round out this sweet treat to a jolly finish.
Gingerbread milkshake, Dairy Joy
Dairy Joy understands that the allure of a creamy milkshake can only be heightened by a good spritzing of thematic edibles.
In the case of their gingerbread milkshake, it is less of a spritz and more of a slather. Vanilla ice cream is filled out with blended gingerbread cookies and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. Finally, this robust glass of Christmas magic is dolloped with a few colorful gumdrops.
By Drew Mortier
