12-22-2024

This cocktail was created by Jon Weimorts for Idle Hour (Los Angeles). Tequila and Aperol are a lovely pair and work wonderfully in this bittersweet sour. I love how the elderflower adds a floral component without it overpowering the drink, and bitters make everything better! Cheers y’all!

12-21-2024

I couldn’t have asked for a better thing to stumble across my feed this season than this recipe by Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher). It checks all the boxes and is easy to make using the simple blender method. It’s smooth, boozy, and perfect for the holiday. Make it now! Cheers y’all!

12-20-2024

This cocktail was created in 2019 by Nicholas Bennett at Cedric’s at the Shed (NYC). It is his take on a mezcal Negroni where he adds a coffee element and some almond. Agave spirits work so well with coffee and the touch of amaretto rounds it all out. Cheers y’all!

12-19-2024

This one was created in 2019 by Dana Skinner for Dutch Kills (Long Island, NY). It is a spiced Oaxaca Old Fashioned riff named after the peaceful 1989 revolution in Czechoslovakia. It’s rich in chocolate, cinnamon, mint, and citrus, with the Czech Becherovka adding warm, herbal spice to tie it all together. Cheers y’all!

12-18-2024

This one was created in 2018 by Aneka Saxon. It is bold, aromatic, and inspired by Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. Fernet’s bitterness is softened with chocolate, vermouth, and a touch of tequila. Finished with a fragrant mint garnish, it’s a cool twist on an Old Fashioned. Cheers y’all!

12-17-2024

This cocktail was created by the amazing photographer Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher) and is found in his book, “Twist.” This is a riff on the modern classic Penicillin by Sam Ross. He swaps out the honey-ginger syrup for demerara and highlights a touch of Aperol for added complexity. Cheers y’all!

12-16-2024

This modern classic was created in 2005 by the brilliant Sam Ross at Milk & Honey (now closed; NYC). It originated as a riff on the Gold Rush (bourbon, honey, lemon), but he adds a spicy ginger element and smoky scotch for a layered flavor. Think of it as a cozy whiskey sour with a little smoky sophistication. Cheers y’all!

12-15-2024

This version of the Americano was created by Ricky Gomez (owner of Palomar, Portland, OR) as a nod to the classic cocktail and the espresso drink of the same name. Instead of soda water, he uses cold brew alongside Campari and sweet vermouth. The result is a refreshing, low-ABV drink where the bitterness of the coffee and the herbal notes of the Campari shine. Cheers y’all!

12-14-2024

This lighter and herbaceous Negroni riff was created in 2013 by Naren Young. The combo of Génépy and Suze evokes flavors reminiscent of mountain botanicals. This was also my first time making clear ice with something suspended in it. Cheers y’all!

12-13-2024

This unique take on an espresso martini is inspired Kevin Kos (@kevin_kos). He learned a technique from Rich Woods to create coffee oil washed vodka. The appearance is reminiscent of the classic with the addition of a foamer. The chocolate pairs perfectly with the coffee. Cheers y’all!

12-12-2024

This cocktail was created by my good friend Isaiah LaBelle (@onesipclub) in honor of his mom who passed away ten years ago. She was a lover of life and lemon drops, so Isaiah made this one in honor of Her. I have a feeling if you could see him now, you’d be proud. Cheers y’all!

12-11-2024

This is a creamy coconut cocktail from the island of Puerto Rico, where you’ll notice that most Puerto Ricans have their own recipe. This batch serves 12–15, and will last for months in the fridge. Cheers y’all!

12-10-2024

The cocktail was created by Michael Mas of Experimental Cocktail Club (Paris), and inspired by a trip to St. Petersburg. When he and a friend found Angostura bitters too expensive for making Trinidad Sours, they got creative and subbed Salers instead, resulting in a Mai Tai-esque recipe. Cheers y’all!

12-09-2024

This festive twist on the classic Rob Roy cocktail is by Miguel Buencamino (@holycityhandcraft). I’ve been looking for reasons to use my recently acquired bottle of spiced pear liqueur, and this did not disappoint. I’ll definitely be sipping on this again during the holidays. Cheers y’all!

12-08-2024

This cocktail was created by Mindy Kucan (@drinkswmindy) for Hale Pele (Portland, OR). This holiday tiki drink will transport you to the tropics, but give you all the notes of a fruitcake. Cheers y’all!

12-07-2024

This is a cozy, seasonal cocktail that captures the essence of apple pie in a glass. It was created in 2021 Sean Hoard (Portland, OR) as a playful nod to those family debates over the best apple pie recipe. The various ingredients add layers of warmth and spice. Cheers y’all!

12-06-2024

Every so often my feed devolves to people complaining about the creativity and/or price of NA cocktails. I’m not sure if it is engagement bait or simply not understanding. Non-alcoholic cocktails take just as much care to craft as their boozy counterparts, and the ingredients—like quality syrups, fresh juices, or non-alcoholic spirits—can be just as pricey. The goal is to create a thoughtful, well-balanced drink, and that effort is reflected in the price. This is a simple riff on a classic Painkiller I created using a local non-alcoholic botanical gin (Ginnocence).

12-05-2024

This is my winter twist on an Espresso Martini. It’s bold and warm with overproof rum, layered with rich chocolate, refreshing mint, and a touch of salt to balance and accentuate the flavors. The name felt right—it’s dark, boozy, and guaranteed to quiet the holiday chaos. Cheers y’all!

12-04-2024

I found this recipe last year on another cocktail enthusiast's page (@cheerstohappyhour), and had to stir it up again for the season. The name is so clever, the flavors are perfect for the holidays, and who can say no to clear ice in clear drinks?! I hope the week is going well for everyone! Cheers y’all!

12-03-2024

This cocktail was created by Jordan Hughes (@highproofpreacher) and is found in his book, “Twist.” It’s a twist on the classic French 75 that he takes down to the country of Peru. Rather than using gin or cognac, Pisco is used. He then adds some passionfruit and lime for a unique twist. Cheers y’all!