“Favorite” is a strong word, but these 11 cocktail recipes really ring our jingle bells. Give them a go yourself during your upcoming holiday celebration.
Photo by Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Ruby Smash Après ski cocktail advice from one of Idaho’s most popular ski destinations, this winter-fruit sip is simply grapefruit, Canadian whisky and ginger beer, sent to refresh between runs. Get the recipe here.
Photo by Meliss Hom
Christmas Carol Barrel From this year’s Miracle Pop-Up cocktail bar program running nationwide, this cocktail, built on the intriguing combo of aquavit, rum and amaro, will put some jolly in your jowls. Get the recipe here.
Photo courtesy The STIHL Whiskey Bar
Cinnamon Toast Sour You guessed right — this sour cocktail takes flavors from your favorite childhood cereal and puts it in this bourbon-forward, egg white-laced cocktail suited for Christmas morning. Get the recipe here.
Photo by Jan Morris
Norski Trust the Scandinavians to add Christmas spices into the traditional spirit that makes them tick, especially during the holidays. Here, cardamom-infused aquavit melds surprisingly well with lime juice and lingonberries. Get the recipe
Mulled Wine Looking for a less-boozy cocktail for a crowd? This classic recipe for mulled wine tosses a bottle of red into a pot with spices and citrus, then calls it a day. Get the recipe here.
Photo by Cedarbrook Lodge
Rock & Rye Fizz Another large-batch drinker for a crowd, this rye-soaked cold remedy tells the Hot Toddy to move over. Use when helping to cure a group of potentially sick, or mostly just thirsty, loved ones. Get the recipe here.
Photo courtesy Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen
Buzzed Buttered Rum Traditionally mixed with hot water, this updated holiday favorite uses hot coffee for a richer flavor, while also adding a jolt of caffeine to get you through the gray days. Get the recipe here.
Photo courtesy Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen
Spiced Bourbon It’s not too late to get on this recipe that requires five to seven days of maturing in its jar. Delicious to have on-hand when guests visit for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, try it served neat, over ice or mixed in with eggnog. Get the recipe here.
Photo by Riff Cold Brewed Coffee
Riff Old Fashioned The Riff Cold Brewed Coffee “raff” teamed up with fellow craft-lovers at Portland’s Urban Farmer to create this roasty, rye spin on a time-honored favorite that will warm you from the inside out. Get the recipe here.
Photo courtesy Central Smoke
The Pompous Mousse Purple-tinted gin lays the color foundation for this citrus-y, smooth libation that receives its velvety texture from egg whites. Test this out on your hipster relatives before Christmas dinner hits the table. Get the recipe here.
Remember the Maine When avoiding political conversations with your in-laws at the dinnertime, reach for this recipe which adds a couple dashes of absinthe to the rye whiskey base for boozy emphasis and tops with a locally crafted Maraschino cherry. Get the recipe here.
Erin James
Erin James has been a long-time freelance writer and editor in the greater Seattle area, with a focus on lifestyle writing. As one of the pioneering journalists for WINO Magazine when it first printed in 2007, James has since been published in more than a dozen regional and national publications, including, of course, Sip Northwest. She is also the editor-in-chief of sister magazine CIDERCRAFT and the upcoming Sip's Wine Guide: British Columbia, as well as the author of "CIDERCRAFT: Discover the Distinctive Flavors and the Vibrant World of North American Hard Cider," published by Storey Publishing in August 2017. Email her at editor@sipnorthwest.com.
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