The dropping temperatures signal the arrival of the joyous holiday season. Get cozy with one (or more) of these specially concocted cocktails that are best savored beside a crackling fire, wrapped snugly in a lofty blanket with a captivating book, or shared with friends during a spirited game night. Each drink is sure to amplify the holiday spirit.
Mysterious Coquito Elixir
Originating from Puerto Rico, Coquito is a traditional Christmas beverage with roots tracing back to the island’s colonial era when the Spanish fused their own version of eggnog with local rum. Variants of this elixir can be found across the Caribbean, with families passing down recipes through the generations. Embracing this rich heritage, Rasasvada presents the Coquito Oscuro, infused with Black Ginger Spirit Restorative. Luxuriously creamy with hints of piquant baking spices, this cocktail can be crafted with or without alcohol, catering to your vegan sibling’s taste during the holiday gatherings. This recipe yields 8 – 10 servings.
Ingredients:
1 part Rasasvada Black Ginger
1 oz rum or preferred spirit
3 parts Coquito mix
Coquito Mix:
1 cup lite coconut milk
1 cup coconut cream
1 cup condensed coconut milk
½ cup agave nectar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Assorted baking spices
Method: In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, coconut cream, and condensed coconut milk. Stir in agave nectar and vanilla extract. Grate in cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg to your liking. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Chill the coquito mix before serving. Garnish with a touch of cinnamon.
Innovative Eggnog Spectacle
Elevate the traditional holiday favorite with a contemporary twist featuring The Plum, I Suppose. This spirit blends marzipan-like notes from plum kernels with the delicate floral essence of marigold petals, complemented by a subtle spiciness of ginger, ensuring a silky and heartening drinking experience. This recipe is perfect for four servings.
Ingredients:
17 oz premium apple juice
5.5 oz The Plum, I Suppose
1’’ fresh ginger piece, peeled and diced
Freshly grated cinnamon stick to preference
2 egg whites
Nutmeg shavings for garnish
Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender until frothy. Pour into a favored glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Pantheon’s Joyous Brew
Punch, the precursor to modern cocktails, is believed to be the earliest cocktail dating back to 1632. Serving as a revitalizing elixir, punch aided sailors in enduring long voyages by providing Vitamin C from citrus fruits, protecting them against scurvy. As global trade flourished, punch recipes incorporated exotic ingredients. This recipe pays tribute to the historical and imaginative early punch formulations, embodying the tradition of sharing drinks with loved ones during the holidays. Serving 8 – 10 people, this cocktail combines revitalizing cucumber with a zesty ginger finish.
Ingredients:
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup simple syrup
10 oz Rasasvada Ruby Artemisia
10 oz Rasasvada Rose Bergamot
1 oz preferred Gin or spirit
Topped with ginger beer
Garnished with seasonal fruits and herbs
Method: Mix all ingredients in a spacious punch bowl, then serve over ice in individual glasses, garnished with mint, cucumber, and seasonal citrus.
LALO’s Refined Negroni
LALO tequila, named after co-founder Eduardo “Lalo” González, son of Don Julio González from the renowned Don Julio premium tequila brand, pays homage to Lalo’s upbringing surrounded by agave fields in Guadalajara. Initially a small, private batch for Guadalajara friends and relatives, LALO’s tequila gained widespread acclaim for its exceptional taste and clarity.
Ingredients:
1 oz LALO Tequila
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari
Method: Combine LALO Tequila, sweet vermouth, and Campari in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir to chill and dilute, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass or a cocktail coupe. Garnish with an orange peel.
Sweet Harmony
Embrace a cocktail reminiscent of homemade apple pie with Ketel One’s Appily Married, harmonizing apple juice with a cinnamon sugar rim. This delightful concoction serves as a perfect ode to the essence of autumn.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Ketel One Vodka
1/2 oz apple juice
1/2 oz pink grapefruit juice
2 bar spoons honey syrup
Cinnamon sugar for the rim
Method: Chill a cocktail glass, then coat the rim with cinnamon sugar. Combine vodka, apple juice, pink grapefruit juice, honey syrup, and ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
Spiced Rum Journey
Historically, the addition of butter to this drink stemmed from practicality. On a rum-running ship like the one inspiring Kirk and Sweeney Rum’s name, sailors likely found it easier to store butter than other perishable dairy items. Butter and spices made a convenient and flavorful addition to their onboard rum, providing warmth during cold voyages. (The modern twist involves incorporating ice cream.)
Ingredients:
2 oz Kirk and Sweeney Reserva
1 Tbsp Hot Buttered Rum Batter
3-4 oz hot water
Hot Buttered Rum Batter: In a mixing bowl, blend together 1 lb. butter, 2¼ cups packed brown sugar, 2 cups sugar, 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. ground clove, and 1 tsp. ground nutmeg. Stir in 1 qt. softened vanilla ice cream. Utilize immediately or freeze for future libations.
Method: Spoon hot buttered rum batter into an Irish coffee glass or mug. Pour in the rum and fill with hot (not boiling) water. Stir gently, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and relish the warm indulgence.
La Piña Delight
For actor Aaron Paul’s birthday celebration at The Fleur Room in Los Angeles, the La Piña cocktail was born, highlighting Paul’s Dos Hombres Mezcal, a collaboration with his friend and Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston. With or without a Ripple Machine design, this cocktail is a refreshing commencement to any festive gathering.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
½ oz Herradura Reposado Tequila
1 oz pineapple juice
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz Chambord
1 egg white
Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker, then shake vigorously without ice. Add ice, shake again, and strain into a coupe glass. Optional: Use a Ripple Machine to create a floral design.
Image Source: Ground Picture / Shutterstock
