The Bend’s Stranger Things-Inspired Holiday Cocktails

With Stranger Things coming to an emotional end after nearly a decade, Miami liquor lounge The Bend leaned all the way in this holiday season, debuting a full Stranger Things-themed cocktail menu inspired by Hawkins, the Upside Down, and everything in between.

Lucky for you, we got our hands on the recipes. Shake these up for your next D&D night and we can’t promise much… but we can say Vecna just might spare you.

Gin, Liqueur

Upside Down Martini

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Gin
• ¾ oz. Pomegranate Liqueur (Pama)
• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
• ½ oz. Simple Syrup
• ½ oz. Egg White
• Glassware: Coupe
• Garnish: 2-3 Sage Leaves

Preparation

1. Add gin, pomegranate liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
2. Dry shake (no ice) for about 10-15 seconds to fully emulsify the egg white and build a thick foam.
3. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
4. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass, letting the foam rise evenly to the top.
5. Garnish with 2-3 fresh sage leaves (you can lightly clap them first to release aroma).

Tequila

Blinking Lights

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Tequila
• 1 oz. Lime
• ¾ oz. Cranberry
• ½ oz. Spiced Agave
• Glassware: Collins
• Garnish: Rosemary Sprig, Dehydrated Lime, Cranberries

Preparation

1. Rim a Collins glass with salt and set aside.
2. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
3. Add tequila, lime juice, cranberry juice, and spiced agave to a cocktail shaker with ice.
4. Shake well until chilled.
5. Strain into the prepared Collins glass over fresh ice.
6. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, dehydrated lime wheel, and a few fresh cranberries.

Liqueur, Vodka

Hawkins Christmas

Ingredients

• ½ oz. Rumplemintz
• 1 oz. Vodka
• 1 oz. Chocolate Liqueur
• ½ oz. Heavy Cream
• Glassware: Coupe
• Garnish: Candy Cane

Preparation

1. Chill a coupe glass and set aside.
2. Add Rumplemintz, vodka, chocolate liqueur, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well until fully chilled and silky smooth.
4. Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
5. Garnish with a candy cane hooked on the rim or resting inside the glass.