Do you hear what I hear? It’s the sounds of carols being sung, fireplaces crackling, and the thud of snowballs finding their unsuspecting targets. It’s the sounds of Christmas. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, its time to put away the pumpkins and put up the tree. In this week’s edition of Whiskey Wednesday we are giving you 5 whiskey cocktails that are sure to make your next family get together with that one annoying cousin just a little more bearable…. YES Cousin Eddie, I’m talking about you! So lets light the tree, settle in by the fire, and grab our favorite pour – its time to talk whiskey.
Santa’s Spiked Hot Cocoa
Few things say Christmas more than snuggling up on the couch in your fuzzy pajamas, drinking a wonderful cup of hot chocolate, and watching your favorite Christmas classic. A traditional hot chocolate is a great beverage for this relaxing occasion but if you feel like taking it up a notch, let me introduce you to Santa’s Spiked Hot Cocoa
After a long night in the cold delivering toys, you can’t tell me Good ole Saint Nick returns home to the North Pole to enjoy just any old Hot Chocolate. I envision Mrs. Claus being there to greet him with something special. Whether you use a store-bought recipe for your chocolate mix, or you get fancy and make your own, this chocolate delight is sure to hit the spot.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of whiskey (Bulleit)
- 2 dashes chocolate bitters
- 1 Can of Whipping Cream
- 6oz of Your favorite hot chocolate mix or homemade hot chocolate
- Chocolate syrup
- Chocolate bar
Directions:
- Start by making your hot chocolate. You can either follow the direction on the pack or make your own from scratch.
- Drizzle your chocolate syrup on the sides and bottom of your glass
- Add your finished hot chocolate to your glass
- Add in 1-2 oz of your whiskey (depending on taste)
- Add your 2 to 3 dashed of your chocolate bitters and stir
- Top with your whipped cream and shaved chocolate
Mrs Claus’s Whisky Spritzer
What does the woman behind the infamous man with the beard drink? Personally, I imagine that particular cocktail to be light, bright, a little naughty, and a whole lot nice. I picture Mrs. Claus being a spritzer kind of lady, not just any spritzer though – a whisky spritzer. So, whether you are decking the halls, wrapping presents, or waiting for your Santa to come home from a long night on the Sleigh, a nice whiskey spritzer is a great way to relax and enjoy the evening.
Ingredients:
- 2oz Makers Mark Whisky
- 1oz amaro liqueur
- 1tsp lemon juice
- 2oz of Sprite
Directions:
- Start by filling your shaker with ice.
- Add your whisky, liqueur, and lemon to the shaker
- Shake hard for 30 seconds
- Strain into a glass and top with sprite
Clark’s Favorite Eggnog
That timeless favorite, Eggnog! What would the holidays be without a little Christmas Vacations in our lives. Like Cousin Eddie, this classic Christmas drink is something that you either love or you hate. Eggnog is one the top three favorite traditional Christmas drinks in America. Its also the number one most hated Christmas drink as well. For me, I’ve never really been a fan of the “Nog” but millions of Santa’s favorite helpers cant go a Christmas season without it. So who am I to leave out our number three Christmas Cocktail, Clarks Favorite Nog.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Jameson Irish whiskey
- Premade Eggnog (or homemade if you’re feeing fancy)
- nutmeg
- cinnamon sticks
Steps:
- Start by adding ice to your shaker
- 5oz of Eggnog into your shaker
- Add 2 oz of Jameson to you shaker
- Shake like crazy for 30 seconds
- Strain into a glass and garnish with with freshly grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick
Yippy Kai Yay….. Old Fashioned
As a nod to one of the best Christmas movies ever made*, we have spiced up this cocktail with a little broken glass around the rim (colored sugar) and a few bright red cranberries to give it that classic movie look. If you have being looking for something to convince your friends to “come out to the coast… get together… have a few laughs,” then give this drink a try. It will have you telling them, “Welcome to the party pal!”
*YES, it is a Christmas movie. If you don’t agree, argue with me in the comments about it…. I dare you LOL!
Ingredients
- 5 fresh cranberries and few few extra if you want to garnish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- A mix of white, red, and green sugar in a plate for the rim
- 1 teaspoon water
- 3 dashes bitters
- 2oz Old Forester 100
- 1oz simple syrup
- 1 orange peel
- Bamboo Skewers
Steps
- Start by adding your 5 cranberries, 1 teaspoon of white sugar, simple syrup, and water into a shaker and middle unto evenly mashed together
- Add your bourbon and bitters and stir until dissolved
- Take your serving glass and wet the rim
- Place the rim into the plate with the colored sugar to coat the rim.
- Strain your mix into the serving glass
- Add an ice ball
- Slice an orange peel and twist to release the oils and drape against the ice ball
- Add a few cranberries to the skewers and lay across the glass and serve
Harry & Marv’s Whiskey Sour
Whether you’re relaxing at home alone, or walking the streets of New York with all of your friends and family, a whiskey sour is a fantastic cocktail to help you end the day this holiday season. This quick and easy recipe will have you mixing drinks like a pro!
Ingredients:
- 2oz Old Grand Dad 100
- 1oz cranberry juice
- 5 cranberries
- 1/4 naval orange, squeezed
- 1/2 lemon, squeezed
- 1 ounces simple syrup
- 3 drops Spiced Cranberry bitters
Steps:
- Start by adding all ingredients into a shaker with ice
- Shake for 15 seconds
- Add ice in a fresh rocks glass
- Strain mix into glass
- Use a orange wheel and a few cranberries for garnish.
Lets chat!!! What did you think about this article? What would you like to read more about? What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Let everyone know in the comments. Good conversation, good cigars, and good whiskey is why we are here. As always, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Until the next Whiskey Wednesday, if you’re going to enjoy a little smoke & oak, just remember that “life’s too short, enjoy the good stuff”…. and do it responsibly! You can find me on Instagram @smoke_n_oak_tn. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!