Instead of serving up the traditional eggnog or year ‘round staple drinks, dazzle your guests this holiday season with delicious cocktails for holiday happy hour! Whether you are looking for a boozy take on hot chocolate or a more festive Moscow mule, these five recipes, courtesy of Ryan Todd, sommelier at Embers Wood Grill, are sure to tickle your taste buds!
Holiday Mule
- 2 ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce ginger beer
Shake all ingredients except ginger beer, then pour over ice in a mule mug. Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime and pomegranate arils
Raspberry and Rosemary Spritz
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 7 fresh raspberries (2 for garnish and 5 for cocktail)
- 2 sprigs rosemary (1 for garnish and 1 for cocktail)
Shake all ingredients vigorously, then strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with additional rosemary sprig and raspberries.
Spiced Pear
- 1 tablespoon pear preserves
- 2 ounces aged rum (Todd recommends Flor de Caña 12 Years)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Pinch of nutmeg
Shake all ingredients vigorously, then strain into a martini glass. Lightly dust the rim or top of cocktail with nutmeg.
Caramel Apple
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce Granny Smith apple juice
- Caramel to taste
Garnish the bottom or sides of your martini glass with caramel. Shake the remaining ingredients and strain into a martini glass.
Chocolate Hot-Buttered Rum
- 2 ounces aged rum
- 1 ounce high cocoa dark chocolate morsels
- 3 ounces boiling water
- 1 teaspoon butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon powdered cocoa
Combine all of the ingredients together, except for the marshmallow. Once well combined, pour into a glass and top with marshmallow. For an impressive finish, toast the marshmallow with a crème brûlée torch.
Tip: You can mix this drink individually, but Todd recommends making it in a pan on the stove over low heat in larger batches for a party. Just multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and add the rum after heating together.
Photos by Sincerely Gone Photography
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