Sleigh The Holidays With These 13 Cocktails

Holiday cocktails should feel as festive as the season itself with bold flavors, wintry garnishes, and plenty of sparkle.

Here’s a roundup of standout recipes from bars and brands around the country to keep your celebrations spirited this season!

“What makes the espresso martini iconic is the froth, so I always encourage our team to shake with enthusiasm.” — Provaré

Brandy, Liqueur

Windy City

by Provaré — Chicago, IL

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Hennessy V.S.O.P
• 1 oz. Espresso (Ristretto)
• 1 oz. Mr. Black
• 1 oz. Caramel Simple Syrup
• Glassware: Martini
• Garnish: 3 Espresso Beans
• Optional: Add 0.5 oz. of Baileys for a smooth creamy texture (perfect for the holidays!).

Preparation

1. Enter ingredients into a tin shaker, add ice, and shake for 15-20 seconds.
2. Once the cocktail is well shaken, finely strain the espresso martini into a martini glass and garnish with 3 espresso beans.

Whiskey

Jim Beam Holiday Highball

by Jim Beam

Ingredients

• 1 ½ parts Jim Beam Original
• 2 parts Cranberry Juice
• 4 parts Ginger Ale
• Lime Wedge
• Glassware: Highball
• Garnish: Rosemary sprig

Preparation

1. Squeeze and drop lime wedge into a tall Collins glass and fill with ice.
2. Add 1 ½ parts Jim Beam, 2 parts cranberry juice, 4 parts ginger ale and stir to combine.
3. Top with sprig of rosemary.

Gin, Liqueur

A Sprig from Rockefeller

by Vintage Green — Midtown, NYC

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Egg White
• 1 oz. Rosemary Syrup
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• ¼ oz. Rockey’s
• ½ oz. Midori
• 1 ½ oz. Hendricks Gin
• Glassware: Coupe
• Garnish: Rosemary Sprig and Sugar Ornament

Preparation

1. Shake and strain.

Vodka

Between Holidays Hot Chocolate

by Crystal Head Vodka

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Crystal Head Onyx
• Bar Spoon Ancho Chili Powder
• 6 oz. Hot Chocolate
• Glassware: Footed Goblet
• Garnish: Toasted Marshmallow, Grated Cinnamon

Preparation

1. Add Crystal Head Onyx, ancho chili powder and hot chocolate to a glass and stir for 10-15 seconds.
2. Garnish with toasted marshmallow and freshly grated cinnamon.

Liqueur, Tequila

Espress-Ho Ho Martini

by Blitzen’s Bar — Omni Hotels & Resorts

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ oz. Don Julio Reposado Tequila
• ¾ oz. Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• 1 oz. Espresso
• Glassware: Coupe
• Garnish: Mini Moon Pie, Red and Green Sugar Sprinkles

Preparation

1. Pour all ingredients into a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake for 5-7 seconds.
3. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a Mini Moon pie and red and green sugar sprinkles.

Liqueur, Whiskey

Mint Condition

by Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon
• 1 oz. Crème de Menthe
• 1 oz. Crème de Cacao
• 1 oz. Heavy Cream
• Dark Chocolate
• Glassware: Martini or Coupe
• Garnish: Grated Dark Chocolate

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in mixing glass or tin with ice.
2. Shake until well chilled.
3. Strain into glassware.
4. Grate dark chocolate on top.

Whiskey

STK Toasted Marshmallow Old-Fashioned

by STK Steakhouse

Ingredients

• 2 dashes Aztec Chocolate bitters
• ¼ oz. Monin Oak Barrel Concentrate
• ½ oz. Monin Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
• 2 oz. Angel’s Envy
• Glassware: Old Fashioned
• Garnish: Marshmallow

Preparation

1. Add all ingredients to the mixing glass.
2. Fill 2/3 of the mixing glass with ice.
3. Gently stir for 30 seconds.
4. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over a large ice cube.
5. Torch marshmallow tableside.

Hard Cider, Liqueur

Spiced Apple Spritz

by Clementine - Yountville, CA

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Aperol
• 2 oz. Spiced Apple Cider
• 1 oz. Prosecco
• ½ oz. St. Germain
• Club Soda, to top
• Glassware: Wine Glass
• Garnish: Dehydrated Apple Slice, Star Anise

Preparation

1. Serve in a wine glass over ice.

Whiskey

After Christmas Dinner

by Monin US

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Bourbon
• ½ oz. Monin Caramel Syrup
• ½ oz. Monin Praline Syrup
• 2 shot(s) Espresso
• Glassware: 6 oz.
• Garnish: Pecan, Caramel Swirl (drizzle)

Preparation

1. Fill serving glass with hot water to warm glass.
2. Discard hot water and pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
3. Stir gently to mix, garnish, and serve.

Gin

Holiday Rose 75

by Hampton Water Wine

Ingredients

• 3 oz. Hampton Water Bubbly
• 1 oz. Gin
• ½ oz. Lemon Juice
• ¾ oz. Cranberry Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• Glassware: Champagne Flute
• Garnish: Cranberries, Lemon Twist

Preparation

1. Add gin, lemon juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake until chilled.
2. Strain into a champagne flute, then top with Hampton Water Bubbly.
3. Garnish with cranberries and a lemon twist.

Sparkling Wine, Tequila

’Tis The Spritzer

by Tres Agaves

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Tres Agaves Reposado Tequila
• 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
• ½ oz. Aperol
• Champagne
• Glassware: Collins
• Garnish: Cranberries

Preparation

1. Add ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake for five seconds, then strain into a Collins glass.
3. Top with Champagne and a few cranberries for garnish.

Liqueur, Vodka

Winter Frost

by Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Thatcher’s Organic Small Batch Vodka
• 1 oz. Thatcher’s Organic Hibiscus Liqueur
• ½ oz. Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• Egg White
• Glassware: Collins
• Garnish: Gold Dust, Sugared Berries

Preparation

1. Dry shake all the ingredients, except for garnishes.
2. Pour into Collins glass.
3. Top with gold dust and sugared berries.

Liqueur, Tequila

Mi Campo-Cosmo

by Mi Campo

Ingredients

• ½ oz. Mi Campo Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Orange Liqueur
• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
• ¾ oz. Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 slices Jalapeños
• 1 Rosemary Sprig
• Glassware: Coupe or Martini
• Garnish: Rosemary Sprig, Cranberries, Jalapeño Float

Preparation

1. Add jalapeño slices to a shaker and gently press (don’t fully muddle — you want brightness, not heat overload!).
2. Add tequila, orange liqueur, cranberry, and lime.
3. Shake with ice for 20 seconds.
4. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
5. Garnish with a rosemary sprig, cranberries, and/or a jalapeño float.