Holiday Cheers!

The holidays are here, and whether you’re hosting a party or cozying up by the tree, the right cocktail can make everything a little more festive. The holidays call for bold flavors and rich textures that wrap you in comfort and provide just the right amount of sparkle to make everything feel magical. These four drinks are some of my favorites to make to celebrate the season and are sure to impress — even if your only guest is yourself. Let’s shake, stir and sip our way to a merrier season!

Hibiscus Mulled Wine

Hibiscus mulled wine is one of my favorite creations. It’s a vibrant twist on the classic, combining the floral tang of hibiscus with warm spices and rich red wine for a festive drink that’s as colorful as it is comforting.

4 cups of Agua de Jamaica*
1 bottle of fruity red wine
1/4 cup of brown sugar
Juice of 1 orange plus extra slices for garnish
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole star anise
10 cloves
5 green cardamom pods

Combine all the ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Be careful not to boil! Simmer for as little or as long as you like. The longer, the more intense flavors you’ll get from the spices. Pour into mugs and enjoy.

*Agua de Jamaica literally translated means “hibiscus water.” In this boosted version of the popular Mexican hibiscus tea, I like to add cardamom and orange slices for a little extra flavor. Find the recipe in my book: “The Flower-Infused Cocktail.”

Amaretto Sour

Something about this cocktail screams “holiday season” to me. It’s the perfect balance of sweet almond richness and zesty citrus tang, creating a cocktail that’s nostalgic, indulgent and irresistibly sippable.

1 1/2 ounces amaretto
3/4 ounce bourbon
1 ounce lemon juice
1 teaspoon rich simple syrup
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and use an immersion blender to combine and froth. Add ice and shake again. Strain over a large cube and garnish with a lemon peel and brandied cherry.

Seven Levels of the Candy Cane Forest (Aka the best spiked hot cocoa in the land):

2 ounces candy cane-infused vodka (see recipe below)
6 ounces of your favorite hot cocoa

Prepare your hot cocoa according to the package directions and pour into a warm mug. Add the candy cane infused vodka and give it a good stir. Top with all the fixins: Whipped cream, marshmallows and Holm Made Toffee Candy Cane Bits are my faves.

Candy Cane-Infused Vodka:

6 ounces vodka
1 candy cane

Pour vodka over a candy cane in a jar and seal it. Infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours. Strain the tea and store vodka in the fridge.

Cranberita

A festive take on a classic, blending tart cranberry with the bright kick of lime and tequila for a winterized margarita simply perfect for holiday celebrations.

1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila (sub with Free Spirits tequila for an N/A option)
1/2 ounce triple sec (or orange juice if making N/A)
1/2 ounce lime juice
3/4 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
1/2 ounce orgeat
1 teaspoon cranberry sauce
Cranberries
Kumquats
Pear for garnish

Muddle eight cranberries and two sliced kumquats in the bottom of a shaker with the lime juice. Add the remaining ingredients and shake with ice until chilled. Strain into a glass. Garnish with pear slices and a cranberry.

These holiday cocktails aren’t just tasty — they’re full of festive vibes that’ll make your celebrations extra special. Have fun with garnishes like sugared cranberries, cinnamon sticks or even a sprinkle of edible glitter to add some sparkle and flair. Cheers to a season packed with good friends, great drinks and memories you’ll never forget!

—Alyson Brown is a beverage photographer and drink stylist with an appreciation for a well-built cocktail. Her passion for cocktails led to her first book, “The Flower-Infused Cocktail: Flowers With A Twist.” Presently, Brown resides in The Stacks Art Studios & Gallery in the Old Mill District, situated right in the heart of Bend.

This article appears in Source Weekly December 12, 2024.