Many of us are gearing up to serve friends, family, and ourselves tasty food and drink this holiday season. Do you want to dish out cups of boozy punch at a party? Or maybe you want a tasty cocktail while wrapping presents. No matter what kind of crowd you’re bartending for, these two drinks should be on your list.
Cinnamon Allspice Margarita
Created by the team at Federales Tacos & Tequila in Denver
Serves 1
“We wanted to create a margarita that feels like the holidays without straying too far from the traditional ingredients,” said Federales bar director Tim Ryll. “The cinnamon and allspice notes bring the definite flavors associated with the holidays, while the Espolon Blanco and fresh lime keep it bright and balanced. The allspice cinnamon syrup is what makes it work by adding depth without making the cocktail too sweet or heavy. The cinnamon-dusted orange slice looks nice and also gives that first hit of spice aromatics before you even take a sip. It’s become one of our most popular drinks this season.”
Ingredients:
0.5 oz Agave syrup (Madhava raw amber agave recommended)
1 oz Cinnamon allspice dram mixture*
1 oz Lime juice
1 oz Cointreau
2 oz El Jimador Blanco tequila
*Make it yourself by combining 9-ounces cinnamon syrup (make or purchase one from brands such as 1883, Torani, or Monin) with 1-ounce allspice dram, preferably St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. You can use the leftovers to spike other holiday drinks.
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until well-chilled, and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Dust an orange slice with cinnamon and use for a garnish.
Clericot Punch
Created by the team at Corsica Wine Bar in Denver
Serves 4 to 6
This is a play on ‘vin piscine’, which is basically French sangria. It’s usually a fruity rose served on ice and drunk by the pool. Ware gussying up our Vin Maison in a sangria style with triple sec, grapefruit cordial, and an aromatic spray of bergamot liquor.
Ingredients:
20 oz Red or white wine
2.5 oz Triple sec
2.5 oz Grapefruit cordial
2.5 oz Lemon juice
10 Sprays Bergamot Italicus Spritz (make by adding Italicus Spritz to an atomizer or spray bottle)
Mix of seasonal fruits for garnish (for example 10 raspberries, five apple slices, 10 blueberries, etc.)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a large punch bowl and stir.
- Add scoops of ice and garnish the top of the punch with fruit.
- Spray the Italicus Spritz onto each glass and onto the surface of the punch bowl.
- Serve in tea cups or punch bowl cups, adding a piece of fruit or so to each.
For a single drink, follow this recipe.
Ingredients:
4 oz Red or white wine
½ oz Triple sec
½ oz Grapefruit cordial
½ oz Lemon juice
2 Sprays Bergamot Italicus Spritz
Mix of seasonal fruits
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to the wine glass and gently stir.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir again to combine.
- Spray the top of the glass with spritz.
- Add garnishes to glass and serve.
