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4 Holiday Cocktail Recipes to Make This Season

Get in the spirit with these drink ideas from local bartenders, mixologists, and restaurateurs

By Compiled by Marie Tutko

4 Holiday Cocktails - Apple Pie Old Fashion

Apple Pie Old Fashion

Whether you’re planning a small holiday get-together or want to cozy up on your own and sip a seasonal cocktail that’s not eggnog, here are a few recipes from some local bartenders, mixologists, and restaurateurs that are sure to get you in the spirit.

Siren’s Cauldron

Recipe courtesy of Gail Westmoreland, food and beverage manager, Serea Coastal Kitchen

SERVES 12

1 bottle cabernet (Daou recommended)

4.5 ounces vodka (50 Bleu recommended)

4.5 ounces cognac (Hennessy recommended)

9 ounces pomegranate juice

4.5 ounces spiced simple

syrup (recipe follows) or

Torani cinnamon syrup

Sparkling water

Mixed berries and citrus fruit to garnish

Combine the cabernet, vodka, cognac, pomegranate juice, and syrup, mix, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Pour 4 ounces of the mixture over ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with mixed berries and fresh citrus wheels.

Spiced Simple Syrup:

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

6 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon allspice

1 tablespoon cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

Boil water, add sugar. Stir until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Remove from heat, let cool before mixing with other ingredients.

Apple Pie Old-Fashioned

Recipe courtesy of Arlo Restaurant

SERVES 1

1.5 ounces rye whiskey

1.5 teaspoons cinnamon syrup (store bought is fine)

2 dashes aromatic bitters (store bought is fine)

2 dashes apple blossom bitters

Cinnamon stick to garnish (optional)

Combine all ingredients except garnish, stir, chill, and pour over ice. Garnish with cinnamon stick if desired.

4 Holiday Cocktails - Ginger Pear Sparkler

4 Holiday Cocktails – Ginger Pear Sparkler

letsfrolictogether, Jasmine Fitzwilliam

Ginger Pear Sparkler

Recipe courtesy of Communal Coffee

SERVES 1

3 ounces pear syrup (recipe below)

1 ounce sherry

3 ounces Champagne or sparkling wine

Sliced pears to garnish (optional)

Combine all ingredients except garnish in a shaker. Shake well and pour over ice. Garnish with sliced pears if desired.

Pear Syrup:

2 cups pear nectar

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan on the stove, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool before mixing with other ingredients.

4 Holiday Cocktails - Boozy Hot Chocolate

4 Holiday Cocktails – Boozy Hot Chocolate

Hayley Hill

Boozy S’mores Hot Chocolate

Recipe courtesy of Jeremy Harville and Jessica Stewart, executive pastry chef and beverage manager respectively, Cardellino

SERVES 2

1 cup whole milk

2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup milk chocolate morsels

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1.5 ounces bourbon (Maker’s Mark recommended)

Graham crackers and mini marshmallows or marshmallow crème to garnish

Hot Chocolate: Combine the milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and sugar and heat them to a boil. Add the milk chocolate morsels, dark chocolate chips, and cocoa powder and remove from heat. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the ingredients are well combined.

Cocktails: Divide the bourbon into two mugs, then add hot chocolate to each, stir, and top with mini marshmallows or marshmallow crème and some graham cracker crumbles.

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