Whether the holiday spirit inspires you to bond with loved ones or it stresses you out, there's no better time to reach for a delicious cocktail. These recipes were designed with seasonal ingredients and cultural references that will make any part-goer swoon. So eat, drink, and be merry with the most festive holiday cocktails this year!
Pear Pressure
The Mermaid Oyster Bar, located on the Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, and the East Village of Manhattan.
Ingredients:Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and strain into a tall glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and cranberries (optional).
The Crimson Tide
The Mermaid Oyster Bar, located on the Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, and the East Village of Manhattan.
Ingredients:Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Thyme is Of The Essence
Liquid Lab NYC: a full-service mixology located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Ingredients:- 1 Sprig of Thyme
- 2 Slices of Fresh Shaved Ginger
- 0.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- Dash of Simple Syrup
- 2 Dashes of orange bitters
- Ginger Beer
- Muddle Ginger until broken apart, add thyme spring (no need to muddle the thyme)
Shake all ingredients (except ginger beer) Strain over Fresh Ice and top with ginger beer, garnish with a fresh thyme spring and orange twist.
Christmas Sweater
, one of the highest rooftop bars in NYC, located at Hyatt Centric Times Square.
Ingredients:Shake and strain into a wine glass over ice. Top with prosecco and garnish with a pear fan.
Naughty or Nice
, one of the highest rooftop bars in NYC, located at Hyatt Centric Times Square.
Ingredients: Method:Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with g rated orange zest.
e's Cranberry Sangria
This month, e's Cranberry Sangria, which sells for $9, benefits Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy ( e's BAR, located at 511 Amsterdam Ave on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Each month, the bar creates a signature cocktail where 20% of the proceeds go to a worthy charity each. CURE Epilepsy.)
Ingredients:- 1/2 cup whole cranberries
- 2 apples, diced and tossed with lemon juice
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup cranberry juice
- 1 bottle white wine
- 1 cup Seltzer
- Thinly sliced apple, for garnish
Add fresh fruit to a medium pitcher. Pour wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, and seltzer over the fruit. Stir to combine. Cover pitcher and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Serve with thin apple slices for garnish.
Mexican Poinsettia
Mixologist Cassandra Rosen in behalf of Soltado Tequila. Made in Juanacatlán, a small town in the midlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila is produced by seasoned agave growers and tequila makers, at one of only two farmer-owned, co-op distilleries in the country of Mexico.
Ingredients:- 3 oz Champagne or sparkling wine
- ¼ oz dry orange liqueur
- ½ oz Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
- 2 oz cranberry juice
Pour the tequila, Cointreau, and cranberry juice into a chilled champagne flute. Stir, top with champagne.
Cran-Merry Margarita
Mixologist Cassandra Rosen in behalf of Soltado Tequila. Made in Juanacatlán, a small town in the midlands of Jalisco, Mexico, Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila is produced by seasoned agave growers and tequila makers, at one of only two farmer-owned, co-op distilleries in the country of Mexico.
Ingredients:- 1/2 oz lemon syrup
- 2 oz Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 2 oz Cranberry Preserves
- 1 tbs fresh rosemary
- Dash allspice bitters
- Rosemary garnish
Muddle all ingredients in shaker, shake with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Winter White Cosmo
Courtesy Of: Bonefish Grill, who recently launched their seasonal menu to kick-off the holidays.
Ingredients:- 2 oz Vodka
- .25 oz Cointreau
- .50 oz Fresh Lime Juice/Simple Syrup Mixture
- 1.5 oz White Cranberry Juice
- Garnish: 3 to 4 cranberries
Method:
Combine ingredients over ice in shaker tin. Shake & strain into chilled martini glass. For a festive touch, garnish with 3-4 floating cranberries.
Tips + Tricks:
Make your own cranberry vodka infusion, by placing cranberries in your favorite vodka and allow it to infuse for 48- 72 hours.
For a stronger Cosmo flavor, substitute your favorite Citron flavored vodka.
For a fun twist and a little bit sweeter flavor use St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur in place of the Cointreau.
Increase the volume of all ingredients by 10 and serve punch style. Freeze cranberries in a block of ice so not only does it keep the punch chilled but also looks fun and festive for your holiday party!
Winter Delight
INVO Coconut Water, which has five essential electrolytes and a whole banana's worth of potassium in each serving. So, this cocktail is basically health food.
Ingredients:Wipe the rim of a low ball glass into the flesh of 1/2 a lime. Lay coconut shaving on a small plate, and swirl the glass rim into the coconut shavings so that they stick. Fill your glass with ice cubes and stir in the vodka, INVO Pure, diet cranberry juice, and the juice of one lime. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime slice.
