• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup Irish Mist whiskey (or whiskey of your choice)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened (for brushing/greasing)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Irish Mixed Spice (recipe below)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 8 slices fresh bread (not day-old)

Whiskey Sauce:

• reserved whiskey from soaking fruit
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon Irish Mixed Spice

Irish Mixed Spice Recipe (makes more than needed):

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon mace (optional, for extra warmth)

Combine the cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, and optional mace to make the Irish mixed spice mix; set aside. Soak the raisins and cranberries in the whiskey for several hours or overnight, then drain the fruit and reserve the soaking liquid for the sauce. Preheat the oven to 400°F and butter a 7 × 11–inch baking dish, then butter both sides of the bread slices and cut them diagonally. In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, eggs, white sugar, brown sugar, Irish mixed spice, and vanilla extract. Layer the bread and soaked fruit in the prepared dish, pour the cream mixture over the top, and press gently so all the bread is well soaked. Place the filled dish into a larger 9 × 13–inch pan, carefully add hot water to the larger pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the smaller dish, and bake for 40–50 minutes until set and lightly golden. While the pudding bakes, combine the reserved whiskey, sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and Irish mixed spice in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand. Once the pudding is done baking, slowly pour the warm whiskey sauce over the hot pudding a little at a time, pressing gently to help it absorb the sauce. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.