The holidays are a season of making merry. And what better way to raise your spirits than, well, spirits. We reached out to local cocktail experts for some recipes to bring some festive cheer to holiday gatherings.
santa on the beach
caitlyn nguyen | co-bar manager, hidden gem
Santa on the Beach is our modern, holiday-ready twist on the classic Sex on the Beach, blending Malibu, melon liqueur and pineapple juice, then topping it with Sprite for a bright, bubbly finish. Served with a festive Christmas umbrella, it’s pure tropical holiday cheer in a glass. Don’t miss Hidden Gem’s holiday pop-up Santa’s Speakeasy, running through Dec. 27.
2 oz. Malibu
1 oz. melon liqueur
1 oz. pineapple juice
Sprite
- Layer Malibu, melon liqueur and pineapple juice to create a gradient effect.
- Top with Sprite, and garnish with a cocktail umbrella.
sugar plum fairy
bob biribin | owner/bartender, the wolf cafe & pizza
Dance into the holiday season with this delicate little gin number. Soft botanicals mingle with notes of ume plum, cane sugar and citrus to create a spirit-forward, yet dainty libation. This recipe is part of our Bling! Holiday pop-up menu, which will run through Dec. 31.
1.5 oz. Empress Gin
1.5 oz. plum wine
0.25 oz. lemon juice
0.25 oz. cane syrup
0.25 oz. sweet vermouth
- Stir with ice, strain into Nick and Nora glass.
- Garnish with sugared jelly candy.
resting grinch face
nick naes | lead bartender, 4 hands + peacemaker
Your heart will grow three sizes this holiday season thanks to this recipe. Inspired by the Grinch, this cozy cocktail gets some extra holiday spirit thanks to the addition of green apple cotton candy as garnish. You can find this cocktail and more at 4 Hands + Peacemaker’s holiday pop-up, Cocktails and Claws, through Jan. 1.
2 oz. 1220 Spirits Encrypted Vodka
0.5 oz. triple sec
0.25 oz. simple syrup
0.25 oz. lime juice
Apple cotton candy
- Shake all liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Strain into a martini glass, and top with apple cotton candy.