Merry Manhattan. Photos: Kowalski’s Markets
Get into the spirit of the season with jolly libations.
There’s so much to love about seasonal cocktails. These winter drinks can stir nostalgia and holiday spirit in just a sip. Made with seasonal flavors like gingerbread, nutmeg or peppermint—everyone is sure to find something they love from these local establishments.
Enjoy a taste of peppermint with the Candy Cane Cocktail, made with candy cane-infused vodka, white creme de cacao and cream. Southern Social, 1424 Weir Drive; 651.493.6804; southernsocialmn.com
Escape the weather outside with another snowstorm: Colorado edition. The Colorado Snowstorm has the perfect balance of flavors—with coffee, ice cream, cola and, of course, vodka. Black Rooster Bistro, 516 Second St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.808.0560; blackroosterbistro.com
Almost like eating a slice of apple pie, the Crosby cocktail encapsulates apple and cinnamon flavors with Buffalo Trace Bourbon and ground allspice. Matchstick Restaurant at the Hotel Crosby, 232 N. Main St., Stillwater; 651.571.0111; matchstickgrill.com
Nutmeg is a key ingredient in seasonal favorites—the Desperado from Marma included. Made with mezcal, orgeat syrup, nutmeg, egg whites with just a hint of lime. Marma, 11127 Stillwater Blvd., Lake Elmo; 651.370.1342; marmamn.com
A cookie in a cocktail—the Gingerbread Cookie White Russian is made with vodka, Kahlúa, gingerbread-cinnamon syrup and cream. Other specialty cocktails are served up weekly. Tamarack Tap Room, 8418 Tamarack Village; 651.330.2889; tamaracktaproom.com
Sip on an Oasis Old Fashioned while enjoying the chilled St. Croix River. This warm drink is made with bourbon, rich demerara syrups, black walnut liqueur and Angostura Bitters. Oasis Cafe, 806 S. Main St., Stillwater; 651.439.0928; oasiscafemn.com
Christmas is served in the Ornamentini—a cranberry martini inside a clear ornament that is poured over sugar cranberries and rosemary. The Tavern Grill, 772 Bielenberg Drive; 651.578.3000; thetaverngrill.com
A sip of paradise—the Roman Holiday is perfect to escape the Minnesota chill. On the sweeter side, with hints of orange, pineapple and lime, rum, cappelletti and St. Paradiso aperitifs, and garnished with grated cinnamon. Olio, 338 Fifth Ave. N., Bayport; 715.964.3205; oliobayport.com
Warm yourself up this winter season with the Sweater Weather martini from Mad Capper. A blend of Fireball, Baileys Irish Cream and butterscotch, then topped with a whipped cream dollop and cinnamon sprinkles. Mad Capper, 224 S. Main St., Stillwater; 651.430.3710; madcappermn.com
Recipes for Good Cheer
If there’s an extreme chill in the air or the roads are just too icy, stay in and whip up your own beverage instead. Rachel Sitko from Kowalski’s Markets shares a couple of inspired cocktails perfect for an evening in.
Holiday Gin and Tonic
Makes 2
- ice
- 4 oz. orange juice
- 4 oz. fresh pomegranate juice
- 4 oz. gin
- 4 tsp. pure honey
- 4 oz. tonic water
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
- 2 small orange wedges, for garnish
Fill 2 lowball glasses with ice; set aside. In a 4-cup spouted measuring glass, combine juices, gin and honey; stir to combine. Pour evenly into ice-filled glasses; top evenly with tonic and stir gently. Garnish each glass with a rosemary sprig and orange wedge.
Twinkling Holiday Lights
Makes 8
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup pomegranate juice, cold
- 3 oz. orange-flavored liqueur (such as Cointreau), cold
- 750 mL dry sparkling wine, cold
- pomegranate seeds, to taste
Twinkling Holiday Lights
In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add rosemary; remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Remove herbs; cool for 30 minutes. In a 2 qt. pitcher, combine juice, liqueur and rosemary syrup; stir to combine. Slowly add sparkling wine, taking care to minimize fizzing. Pour evenly into 8 wine flutes; garnish with pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs.
Merry Manhattan
Makes 1
- ice
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1 oz. vermouth
- 1 tsp. Earl Giles Ceylon Cinnamon Cocktail Syrup (from Kowalski’s Wine & Spirits)
- 2 dashes bitters (Angostura, cinnamon, orange or a combination)
- 1 orange slice, for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry, for garnish
- 1 cinnamon stick, for garnish
Chill a coupe glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, vermouth, cocktail syrup and bitters to cocktail shaker; shake for 30 seconds or until well chilled. Strain into chilled glass; garnish with orange, cherry and cinnamon.
Poinsettia Punch
Serves 10
- 3 cups cranberry juice, cold
- ¾ cup Cointreau (or another orange liqueur), cold
- 2 bottles (750 ml each) sparkling wine, cold
- ice
- orange slices and fresh cranberries, for garnish
In a punch bowl, stir together cranberry juice and Cointreau. Slowly pour wine into punch bowl, taking care to minimize fizzing. Add ice; stir gently. Float orange slices and cranberries on top; serve immediately.
Hot Toddy
Makes 1
- 1 Tbsp. pure honey
- 1 oz. brandy
- 1 Tbsp. lemon (or orange) juice
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- 1 green or black tea bag
- garnishes, your choice: whole star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and lemon or orange slices
iStock/Mindstyle
Coat the bottom of a coffee mug or Irish coffee glass with honey. Add brandy, juice and hot water. Add tea bag; let tea steep for 2–5 minutes. to taste. Remove tea bag; garnish drink as desired.
Kowalski’s Markets
8505 Valley Creek Road; 651.578.8800
