The Timeless Cocktail Recipes You Need For Your Upcoming Holiday Soiree
by Nicole Kliest
If your vision for a stylish holiday celebration resembles a scene from a Victorian-era novel, you’re certainly not the only one. This year, vintage aesthetics are captivating party hosts everywhere. The allure of nostalgia during the holiday season is hard to resist, and one fantastic way to evoke that bygone charm is by serving classic cocktails. While charming decor can set the mood for a retro-themed gathering, enhancing the experience with historic beverages is an unexpected twist sure to enchant your guests.
Michael Scribner, beverage director at Downtown L.A. Proper, explains that offering an old-fashioned drink like the eggnog-infused New York flip can create a delightful sense of nostalgia. Scribner notes, “It transports you, your guests, and all of your taste buds back to a simpler, more enchanting time.” Here, we compile must-have vintage cocktail recipes from top mixologists across the country, brimming with cozy flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg.
The Lion’s Tail
For those in warmer climates during the holidays, finding the festive spirit can take a bit of ingenuity. Mírate Beverage Director Max Reis highlights the Lion’s Tail—a light and refreshing sour that brings holiday flavors to the forefront.
Ingredients:
2 ounces bourbon
1/2 ounce allspice dram
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 lemon wedge (squeezed and shaken)
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker, adding the squeezed lemon wedge. Shake vigorously and fine strain into a sour glass. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
Glögg
This cherished Nordic drink has roots tracing back to the early 1600s. Rachel Jackson, co-owner of Gertrude’s, shares a fond memory of her grandmother making glögg each year. Jackson explains that the beauty of this drink is in its warmth, both in taste and temperature, and its ability to serve a large number of guests without excessive fuss.
Ingredients:
Half gallon of wine
1 1/2 cups of brandy or cognac
3/4 cup of sugar
A mix of slivered almonds, raisins, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks
Directions: Combine wine, brandy, and sugar in a pot along with all the spices. Keep warm throughout the evening for everyone to enjoy.
New York Flip
For Scribner, the New York Flip embodies the flavors synonymous with the holiday season, combining the richness of eggnog with the traditional flip. This drink marries bourbon with ruby port and heavy cream, making it a perfect winter beverage.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce ruby port
3/4 ounce heavy cream
1 whole egg
Grated nutmeg for garnish
Directions: In a shaker without ice, combine bourbon, port, cream, and egg. Dry shake for 10-20 seconds, add ice, shake again, and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg on top.
Martini
The martini’s history dates back to the 1800s and has evolved through countless variations. Jackson insists that the martini is a quintessential holiday cocktail. She recommends setting up a garnish station for guests to customize their drinks.
Ingredients:
22 ounces gin
4 ounces dry vermouth
6 ounces water
Garnishes: lemon peels, onions, pickles, olives, and blue cheese olives
Directions: Prepare a batch in advance to eliminate stress on the day of the gathering. Mix the ingredients and chill, yielding approximately a liter of delicious martinis.
Bobby’s Manhattan
Hailing from the iconic Bemelmans Bar in New York, Bobby’s Manhattan boasts a warm hue that complements holiday festivities. Luis Serrano, the bar’s head bartender, reveals that this cocktail’s allure is steeped in nostalgia.
Ingredients:
2.05 ounces rum
1 ounce sweet vermouth
3 dashes cherry liqueur
2 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions: Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice, then strain into a chilled glass.
Sazerac
Dating back to the 1830s, the Sazerac is a cocktail synonymous with New Orleans and is ideal for holiday gatherings. Su Roka, mixologist at Founders Club in Seattle, emphasizes the Sazerac’s rich, spiced character, perfect for colder weather.
Ingredients:
2 dashes Angostura bitters
4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 bar spoon of Demerara syrup
1 ounce Pierre Ferrand Reserve Double Cask Cognac
1 ounce Michter’s Rye Whiskey
Absinthe spray
Directions: Spray an absinthe-rinsed glass with absinthe and set aside. Stir the bitters and Demerara syrup in a shaker with no ice, then add the remaining ingredients and pour into the prepared glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
Prepare to wow your guests with these vintage cocktail recipes, adding a touch of classic elegance to your holiday festivities.
