New York Bartending School

In keeping with the season we offer you some warming and celebratory drinks to help you welcome the spirit of the holidays to your home.

Holiday themed drinks range from classics like egg-nog to hot toddy’s to warm you up on a  winter’s night; to fun and tasty drinks like The Grinch or the Holly Berry.

The holiday season also offers inspiration for decorating glassware and using unique garnishes. Tiny candy canes can make a wonderful and colorful stir stick or garnish. Cranberries add a festive color and can decorate glassware or the drinks themselves. Crushed candy cane makes a unique and festive rimmer for any sweet martini.

  

Wishing you and yours a happy new year, one and all!

 

WHITE CHRISTMAS

Ingredients:

• 2 oz.  Vanilla Vodka 
• 1 oz.  Amaretto 
• 1 oz. Baileys Irish Cream 

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Option: rim the cocktail glass with some brown sugar and a bit of freshly ground nutmeg or sprinkle on top.

 

KANDY KANE MARTINI 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vanilla Vodka 
• 1 oz.  Peppermint Schnapps 
• Splash of grenadine for color

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Option: Garnish with a small candy cane or create a candy cane “rimmer” with crushed candy canes.

  

 

 DOG SLED

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz.  Canadian Whisky 
• 1 1/2 oz. Orange juice 
• 1 tsp. Grenadine 
• 1 tbsp. Lemon juice 

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker and shake vigorously.

Pour into a chilled Old Fashioned glass rimmed with sugar.

Garnish with orange wheel and serve.

 

 

SNOWBALL

Ingredients:

• 2 oz.  Vanilla Vodka 
• 1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur  

 

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker or blender. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with White Chocolate shavings and serve. 

 

 

 

MISTLETOE KISS

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz.  Chambord 
• 1/2 oz. Melon liqueur 
• 1/2 oz. Orange liqueur 

Mixing instructions:

In a tall shot glass add Chambord, and then gently pour Midori, the second layer, over the back of an inverted spoon so that it flows on top of the Chambord without mixing. Repeat the process using Orange liqueur. This makes a good holiday shooter.

You can also make a cherry flavored variation with grenadine instead of Chambord.

 

 

BRANDY EGGNOG

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Brandy 
• 1 Egg yolk 
• 1 cup Heavy cream 
• 1/2 oz.  Simple Syrup or to taste  
• Freshly ground nutmeg 

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients, except nutmeg, with cracked ice in a shaker or blender and strain into a chilled highball glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

 

 

THE GRINCH

Ingredients:

• 2 oz.  Midori 
• 1/2 oz. Lemon juice 
• 1 tsp Simple syrup 
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

This green cocktail called the Grinch has none of the nasty elements of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday character. On the contrary, it’s reminiscent of the changed Grinch with the sweetest flavors; melon-flavored Midori and lemon juice. It’s all sweetened even further with a little simple syrup. Add a maraschino cherry for the garnish for color and to represent the changed heart of the green man.

Mixing instructions:

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Enjoy,

Megan Taylor

New York Bartending School