‘Tis the Season for Holiday Sips

Shopping gets all the press this time of year, but you don’t need wrapping paper to get into the holiday spirit. With offerings ranging from merry margaritas and milkshakes, to off-menu eggnog and classy clarified milk punch (there’s even an award-worthy cinnamon tequila number), bartenders around The Hub are busy shaking and stirring up all the winter flavors to make the season bright. Get your holiday outfits on and get out in the city this season to try some of these reindeer-ready cocktails in the round-up below.

Buttermilk & Bourbon – Yuletide Sour

If you can’t make it to NOLA to see the holiday lights in the French Quarter, head to Buttermilk & Bourbon for the next best thing with a Yuletide Sour. Made with Russell’s Reserve 10 year bourbon, cinnamon, egg white, lemon and Malbec, it’ll warm you up like a Christmas Eve Bonfire — a NOLA tradition to light the way for Papa Noel!

 

Capo – Peppermint Espresso Martini

Keep your holiday spirit going strong all night long with Capo’s Peppermint Espresso Martini. Concocted with cold brew, vodka, Galliano Ristretto, creme de cacao and homemade peppermint cream, it’s like a candy cane latte with a kick that will keep your home fires burning throughout the evening.

 

Citrus & Salt – Naughty List

Why worry about behaving yourself all year when the bar pros at Citrus & Salt make being bad look so good with the Naughty List. This Grey Goose horchata cocktail is a creamy, dreamy treat that any Santa would gladly accept over a boring glass of milk. It’s so good, Old Saint Nick won’t even think about leaving coal in your stocking.

 

Clink. – Santa Doesn’t Want Cookies, He Wants a Chocolate Martini

If you and your team of elves are planning on hitting the city sidewalks dressed in holiday style, steer your sleigh toward Clink. in the Liberty Hotel for a Santa Doesn’t Want Cookies, He Wants a Chocolate Martini. Made with Ketel One, it’s the perfect dessert treat to celebrate Santa’s big scene.

 

The Hourly – Mr. Icicle

New England winters often don’t see a day over forty degrees, which is the perfect conditions for a Mr. Icicle milkshake (pictured here with Cup of Cheer and Oh Snap) at The Hourly Oyster House. Made with chocolate-peppermint and Branca Menta, it’s the perfect way to get your snow meiser vibe going before you hit the Harvard Square Holiday Fair.

 

Karma – Under the Mistletoe

If you’re looking for the right elixir for snuggling up to your Santa Baby, head to Burlington’s Karma Asian Fusion for an Under the Mistletoe. Made with tequila, pomegranate, agave, rhubarb bitters, spiced maple and yuzu foam, it’ll surely bring a smile (and perhaps a smooch) or two.

 

Ledger – Secret Special Eggnog

The word is out in Salem that the bar team at Ledger has some killer cocktails, but did you know that this time of year they have a little something off menu to get you feeling all holly jolly? Belly up to the bar in the historic Salem Savings Bank and ask for the Secret Special Eggnog. Made with heavy cream, egg yolks, vanilla bean syrup, grated nutmeg and Sailor Jerry rum — yes, rum! — it’s a perfectly balanced nog that’s not to boozy, not too sweet.

 

Liberty Tavern – Jingle Juice

Take some sips and get in the spirit of the season for a good cause this month at Liberty Tavern in Quincy. A dollar from the sale of every Jingle Juice, made with Deep Eddy cranberry vodka, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, lemon and thyme simple syrup, will go toward Interfaith Social Services, who are dedicated to improving life for South Shore families and folks in need.

 

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar – Fra-Gee-Lay

If you’re looking for a drink that’s good enough to win a national award, head to Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar in Southie for a Fra-Gee-Lay. Inspired by the leg lamp of lore in A Christmas Story, this lil’ number is made with cinnamon-infused tequila, lime, pomegranate liqueur and ancho reyes with a cinnamon sugar rim — a perfect sipper for toasting your old man.

 

Monument – Make it Rein

Pop on over to Charlestown to do a little bit of good with your holiday drink – the team at Monument has rolled out Make it Rein, a special, seasonal cocktail featuring Cazadores tequila, lime, pom juice & cinnamon. A portion of the proceeds from the charitable beverage will be donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Charlestown so you’ll be giving back to the community with every sip.

 

Nash Bar & Stage – Jolly Juice

A little tequila will make anyone’s spirits bright, and Nash Bar & Stage has just the ticket with their Jolly Juice. The merry margarita made with Patron, cranberry rosemary reduction, lime and salt will get you and all the sugarplum fairies in your life dancing in the streets.

 

Painted Burro Somerville – Spiced Cranberry Margarita

Tequila is always in season at Painted Burro thanks to the return of the Spicy Cranberry Margarita. Head to Somerville’s go-to for Mexican fare all through December for this Cape Cod-centric cocktail made with Old Mexico Blanco tequila, triple sec, lime and spiced cranberry syrup. It’s the perfect pick me up for finishing up your holiday shopping at the small businesses around Davis Square, or before and after a performance of The Slutcracker at the Somerville Theatre.

 

Pammy’s – Tutto Bello

Add gin to the list of sugar and spice and everything nice and you’ll find the perfect combination at Pammy’s in Cambridge. Their winter cocktail, Tutto Bello, is Italian for “all good” or “everything nice” and you’ll certainly agree with this tasty sipper made with Tre Fratelli gin, grapefruit, five spice, lemon, bergamotto and pink peppercorn.

 

Rosebud – Chocolate Rim Espresso Martini

Rosebud Kitchen’s bartenders know that most of the wrapping takes place after the kids are asleep, so they’ve got a Chocolate Rim Espresso Martini to keep you pepped up for the late shift. Made with vanilla infused vodka, coffee brandy and local Fazenda cold brew, with a ground coffee and cinnamon sugar rim — it’s so tasty you could (and should) swap it out for a morning brew at brunch.

 

Row 34 – Thanks for the Clarification

Santas with a refined taste for craft cocktails will appreciate the uber-classy Thanks for the Clarification at Row 34 in Fort Point in lieu of the regular glass of milk. This clarified milk punch with a silky mouthfeel is made with gin, rosemary, earl grey, elderflower, pineapple and lemon and is served clear and cold.

 

Sweet Cheeks Q – Pie in the Sky

The perfect holiday cocktail tastes extra sweet when it’s helping out a good cause like Sweet Cheeks Q‘s Pie in the Sky. Tito’s will donate $1 for every one of these lovelies made with Tito’s vodka, apple cider, Sapling’s maple liqueur, blueberry puree, lime juice and ginger syrup to Community Servings, which distributes food to folks in need to are living with critical and chronic illnesses.

 

Wusong Road – Rum Rum As Fast As You Can

Mele Kalikimaka is the Hawaiian way to say Merry Christmas, and you can have a taste of that tropical holiday vibe at Wusong Road with the Rum Rum as Fast as you Can. The Rudolph-approved winter warmer is crafted with gingerbread spiced rum and served in an adorable gingerbread cookie tiki mug, which is sure to set off some smiles.

Photo by Matthew Tetrault

 

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