Holidays 2009: Mr. Booze Drink Picks

Figured I’d kick-off with this one. It’s an easy drink to mix and you can make up a batch ahead of time if you’re having guests over. This was the first purely Christmastime cocktail I ever tried, and I still love it during the holidays. The peppermint flavor makes it a strictly seasonal drink [...]

I normally don’t lean towards the sweet in drinks. I like the taste of whiskey, gin, and brandy. That being said, during the holidays, I back down a little. We entertain at home a lot, and let’s face it, more guests than not prefer the yummy factor. A lot of folks [...]

I picked up this and the recipe below (Swafford) in the Nov. ‘08 issue of Imbibe. I loved both so much I had to spread the word. It usually stays mild enough around here that mint can still be harvested from my garden, but if it’s too cold in your parts, you’ll need [...]

Also read about this first in the Imbibe Nov. ‘08 issue. I love this drink ‘cause it appeals to the pallet in that flavorful way lost in so many of our modern cocktails. Strong, spicy, herbal flavors served ice cold yet seasonally appropriate nonetheless. This is a great drink to mix at [...]

Perfect hot sipper as a reward for spending the day Xmas shopping at the crowded mall. Drop the packages on the living room floor, fire up the stereo, throw a log on the fire, and make you and yours this perfect end to a chilly, demanding day. The recipe below makes four drinks, [...]

I love vanilla throughout the year but really only enjoy it in a cocktail around the holidays. I’m from the “if I want dessert, I’ll have a piece of cake” school when it comes to drinking, but like I mentioned in my intro, sweet sided drinks have their place in December. Vanilla beans are [...]

This is just a cozy drink, plain and simple. Perfect for a party, fireside chat or to pour before a festive dinner. The bitter sweet combination of the Campari, even as the smaller pour of the three ingredients used, really and pleasantly permeates this cocktail. This is complex holiday pick and one that drinks [...]

This is the fun one of the batch, the drink that will fetch all the “oooohs” and “ahhhhs” when you set a few up on the bar. The serious drinkers can have their Bourbon, rocks, their Martinis and Manhattans, but your guests hoping for a little holiday magic with their cheer will love this one. [...]

I pour the hell out of these on Thanksgiving. While the men loosen their belts and snore away in the den, the gals and I pump these down in the living room while granny does the dishes. Not too sweet, nor too sour, this is an either perfect pre- or after dinner drink for [...]

Bartender Josey Pack at the Alembio Bar in San Francisco created this great cocktail. Here’s another one that’s absolutely perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner party right up through Christmas Eve. It simply has to be tasted over the holidays. I mixed one up minutes after reading the recipe, and it was love at [...]

Here’s an oldie but a goodie that will turn any semi-formal, candlelit holiday party into a Christmas-carol-belting lampshade-on-the-head-wearing bash by midnight. You’ll need a punchbowl, ladle, punch cups and a whole lot of aspirin for the next morning. Seriously, this is a delicious traditional Christmas punch perfect for the top of the bar or a [...]