Holiday Spirits

Whether you like it or not, your social calendar is about to get very, very full of holiday soirées. With that in mind, steal the show with one of these artisanal cocktails, all inspired by the holiday spirit.

The Salty Caramel at Ocean Prime New York

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Ketel One Vodka
1 oz Giffard Vanille De Madagascar
1/2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream Salted Caramel Liqueur
1 oz. Caramel
2 oz. Half & Half
1 egg white

Combine all ingredients in small shaker. Fill larger shaker with ice and shake vigorously until mixture is integrated and chilled. Strain cocktail into chilled coupe and garnish with smoked sea salt.

Clicquot Rich + Orange Peel + Cinnamon Stick

Ingredients:
5-6 large ice cubes
2-3 zests of orange
1-2 cinnamon sticks
Veuve Clicquot Rich Champagne

Place five ice cubes in a large wine glass, sprinkle in zests of orange, top with Veuve Clicquot Rich, and finish with a stick of cinnamon.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Harvest Cocktail Punch

Ingredients:
1 (750 ml) bottle Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Red Blend
1/2 c apple juice
1/4 c cranberry juice
1/4 c apple brandy
5 cinnamon sticks
5 dashes Angostura bitters
1/2 tsp almond extract

Add Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Red Blend, apple juice, cranberry juice, apple brandy, cinnamon sticks, bitters, and almond extract to a pitcher or punch bowl and stir to combine. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Pour over ice and serve immediately.

Cocoa Buie II

Ingredients:
2 parts Drambuie
9 parts hot milk
3 Tbsp hot cocoa mix
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp Kosher salt
Optional: garnish with miniature marshmallows

In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and warm over medium heat. Stir slowly until simmering. Serve hot.

Cinnamon Girl 

Ingredients:
2 parts Hudson Manhattan Rye
1/2 part Cynar
1/2 part Bittermen’s Hiver Amer
1/4 part Luxardo Maraschino

Stir/strain into Nick & Nora glass. Flame orange peel on top. Garnish with brandied cherries.

El Rey de Reyes

Ingredients:
1 part Ancho Reyes Verde
1 part Ancho Reyes Original
1 part fresh lime juice
1/3 part rich simple syrup (two parts sugar to one part water)
Small pinch salt
1 dash Angostura

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, shake hard, and strain into a cocktail coupe.