We all look for great cocktails during the holidays, whether for that office party, for friends and family on Christmas Eve, or to celebrate the New Year. We often seek warmth and comfort This time of year, but some cool sips still scream holidays. Here are a few of my choices for the best holiday cocktails and the recipe for each one.

The Chai Crusta from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans

What says celebration better than New Orleans? There are some great stories on Wander about New Orleans and you can find more great holiday cocktails from New Orleans online. This one is The Chai Crusta from Commander’s Palace. You can head to NOLA to pick one up or try whipping one up in your home bar.

The Chai Crusta from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. Photo courtesy Commander’s Palace

• 2 oz. chai-infused Buffalo Trace bourbon (see recipe below)
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 4 dashes orange bitters
• Sugar for rim
• Lemon peel for garnish

Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a sugar-rimmed coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

To make the chai-infused Buffalo Trace bourbon:

• 1 bottle Buffalo Trace bourbon
• 4 Chai tea bags
• 1 Orange Spice tea bag

Carefully add all of the tea bags to the bottle of bourbon. Cover and let infuse for 36 hours. If sitting longer than 3 days, pour the bourbon into another bottle so it does not over infuse.

The Broadmoor Cocktail in Colorado Springs

The Broadmoor celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. It’s such a beautiful resort in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. To celebrate, Broadmoor Lead bartender Dennis Schuler used classic cocktails to set the tone for this holiday season. And who doesn’t love a little honey?

The Broadmoor Cocktail draws on classic Prohibition-era cocktails. Photo courtesy The Broadmoor

• 1½ oz Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
• ¾ oz Lemon juice
• ½ oz Honey Simple Syrup (equal parts honey and hot water, shaken or stirred until dissolved, then chilled)
• ¼ oz Benedictine
• 1 Dash Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients with ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with lemon twist.

Priority Sipping at Zeppelin Station in Denver

I grew up in Colorado and always think of it for the holidays. One of the great things that’s happened since I first moved there and went to college in Denver is that downtown has also grown up. Check out the excitement when you stop by Zeppelin Station on the light rail for various eats, drinks, and fun. You can also try this Spanish-style GinTonic with seasonal garnish. The sachet of pure hibiscus infuses into the cocktail as you drink it.

Priority Sipping is a holiday take on a Spanish-style Gin Tonic from Zeppelin Station in Denver. Photo courtesy Zeppelin Station

• 2 oz Leopold Bros Gin
• 4 oz Q Indian Tonic

Garnish with cracked green cardamom, Ceylon cinnamon, rosemary, grapefruit peel, and dried pure hibiscus.

Cocktails with Malabar Spiced Liqueur

Malabar Spiced Liqueur is a fun liqueur for the holidays. It combines fine spirits with flavors of orange, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. You can transport yourself to the holidays with drinks created using Malabar Spiced Liqueur.

Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Spiced Apple Cider Moscow Mule with Malabar Spiced Liqueur. Photo courtesy Malabar Spiced Liqueur

• ¼ cup Ice
• ½ cup Apple Cider
• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Malabar Spiced Liqueur
• ½ Line
• ¼ cup Ginger Beer

Fill a copper mug halfway with ice. Add apple cider, vodka, Malabar Spiced Liqueur, the juice from a half lime, and ginger beer. Stir and enjoy!

Chai Tea Latte

Chai Tea Latte with Malabar Spiced Liqueur. Photo courtesy Malabar Spiced Liqueur

• 2 Individual Chai tea bags
• 2 cups Water
• 2 cups Milk
• 1/3 cups Packed Brown Sugar
• 4 TBSP refrigerated French vanilla creamer
• 2 shots Malabar Spiced Liqueur
• Whipped cream as garnish

Make tea using tea bags and water. While tea is steeping, combine milk, brown sugar, and creamer in a small saucepan. Heat and stir over medium heat until heated through and sugar is dissolved. Pour milk mixture into mugs; stir in tea. Add one shot of Malabar Spiced Liqueur to each mug. Dollop with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.

Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail

Mix up a Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail with Malabar Spiced Liqueur. Photo courtesy Malabar Spiced Liqueur

• ½ cup Pomegranate juice
• ½ cup Seltzer water
• 1 shot vodka
• 1 shot Malabar Spiced Liqueur
• Juice from ½ lime
• Mint, as garnish

Combine the pomegranate juice, seltzer water, vodka, Malabar Spiced Liqueur, and lime juice over a glass with plenty of ice. Garnish with mint and pomegranate seeds.

Apple Cider Mimosas

Apple Cider Mimosas are perfect for the season with Malabar Spiced Liqueur. Photo courtesy Malabar Spiced Liqueur

• 1 cup Apple Cider
• 1 cup Champagne
• 2 shots Malabar Spiced Liqueur
• Cinnamon sugar mixture

Lightly wet the rim of your champagne glass and press into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Equally divide the apple cider, champagne, and Malabar Spiced Liqueur into two glasses.

Sparkling Wine Cocktails from Korbel

Most people who read my articles and follow my travels know that I’m a bubbles gal. I love sparkling wine, and the idea of sparkling wine cocktails excites me! Here are some great suggestions for holiday sparkling cocktails made with Korbel.

Sparkling Holiday Punch

Sparkling Holiday Punch made with Korbel. Photo courtesy Korbel

• 8 oz Chambord Liqueur
• 8 oz Cranberry Juice
• 2 chilled bottles Korbel Brut
• Cranberries

Pour ingredients into a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir. Top with raspberries or cranberries.

Cranberry Cheer

Cranberry Cheer with Korbel sparkling wine. Photo courtesy Korbel

• 1 oz Finlandia Classic Vodka
• 2 oz Cranberry Juice
• 3 oz Korbel Brut
• Cranberries

Shake vodka and cranberry juice in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled champagne flute and top with Korbel. Garnish with cranberries.

Festive Peppermint Fizz

Festive Peppermint Fizz made with Korbel sparkling wine. Photo courtesy Korbel

• 1 oz White Crème de Cacao
• 4 oz Korbel California Brut
• White Chocolate, melted
• Peppermint Candy Cane, crushed

Dip the rim of a champagne flute in melted white chocolate, then dip in finely crushed candy cane. Pour crème de cacao into a champagne flute. Top with Korbel.

Festive Cîroc Cocktails

I discovered Cîroc vodkas a few years ago and enjoy the clean, fresh taste. The company also makes a VS (Very Special) French Brandy. Here are a few great holiday cocktails using their vodka and brandy.

Black Raspberry Royale

Black Raspberry Royale is an ideal celebratory drink. Cheers to 2019! Photo courtesy Cîroc

• 1½ oz Cîroc Black Raspberry
• ½ oz Lemon juice
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• ½ oz Raspberry liqueur
• Champagne

Add all ingredients in a shaker except the champagne. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a flute glass and add the champagne. Garnish with a twist.

Cîroc VS-Crusta

Cîroc VS Crusta is a brandy cocktail for the holidays. Photo courtesy Cîroc

• 1½ oz Cîroc VS French Brandy
• ½ oz Orange-flavored liqueur
• ¼ oz Lemon
• 1 tsp Maraschino
• 2 Dashes Bitters

Add all ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake well until it’s chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass rimmed with sugar. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Cîroc VS – Alexander

Cîroc VS Alexander is a brandy cocktail with nutmeg that is perfect for the holidays. Photo courtesy Cîroc

• 1½ oz Cîroc VS French Brandy
• 1 oz White Crème de Cacao
• 1 oz Heavy Crème

Add all ingredients to the shaker. Add ice and shake well until chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

I hope you enjoy these fun holiday cocktail recipes. We have a few more cocktail recipes on Wander if you need even more great ideas. Have a festive holiday season and a great New Year!

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