These holiday-inspired cocktails will add much-needed cheer to the season
It’s beginning to look a lot like… well, you know the words. One way to get into the spirit is by getting into spirits.
Here are four unique seasonal cocktails that go above and beyond your standard spiked eggnog. Coquito in a coupe glass? Spiked apple pie? Oh yeah, we’re feeling it.
Maple Manhattan
Sweeten up even the most dull virtual holiday get-together with the Maple Manhattan cocktail, a combination of bourbon, dry vermouth, maple syrup, angostura bitters and cherries.
1 oz bourbon
½ oz dry vermouth
½ oz maple syrup
Splash angostura bitters
2 cherries
Combine bourbon, vermouth maple syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold and combined. Strain into a coup glass and garnish with a cherry.
Recipe from Shelborne South Beach in Miami
Spiked Apple Pie
The Spiked Apple Pie has a smoky taste reminiscent of a freshly baked pie. Crafted with bourbon, apple cider, ginger beer and orange liquer, complementary notes of apple and orange zest round out the experience. Not feeling the booze? Or need a kid-friendly option? This one is still delicious san-spirits, just swap in more apple cider and ginger beer.
1 part bourbon
¼ part orange liqueur
1 part apple cider
Splash of ginger beer
Orange slice
Rosemary sprig
1 apple
¼ cup of water
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Core and chop the apple. Add apple to saucepan with water, butter, cinnamon and brown sugar. Heat until sugar and spices are dissolved, and the apple is softened. Meanwhile, pour Maker’s Mark into an ice-filled glass. Add 1 tbsp. of spiced apples, orange liqueur, cold apple cider, and ginger beer. Stir and garnish with an orange slice and rosemary sprig.
Recipe from SAAM Lounge at the SLS Brickell in Miami
Holiday Coquito
This famed Puerto Rican holiday cocktail is crafted with eggnog and white rum, and topped with a cinnamon stick for all things spice. It’s the perfect holiday treat.
1 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz spiced rum
2 oz coconut milk
1 oz Baileys Irish cream
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
1 sprig of vanilla bean
Ice
Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake until combined. Strain into a snifter and garnish with additional cinnamon.
Recipe from Casa Sensei in Miami
Sleigh My Name
Vodka aficionados can indulge in this refreshing-as-a-snowflake cocktail featuring the addition of tangly lemon juice and sweet simple syrup. The sprig of rosemary and sprinkle of cranberries make this the ultimate ‘Christmas in a cup’ experience.
1 1/4 vodka
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
1 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
Add vodka, green chartreuse, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Drop five frozen cranberries into the drink and push them through the ice with a bar spoon. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Recipe from American Social in Miami
A version of this story originally published in the Miami Herald.