Ho ho ho, did someone say holiday cocktails? Other than what you can get at the holiday pop-ups in Chicago this year, many of our favorite Chicago bars also released holiday and winter-themed cocktails!
The Hampton Social
164 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Three new seasonal cocktails offer a glass of holiday cheer. The Mistletoe Kiss — available at all restaurants — features Spiced Strawberry Avissi Prosecco with whipped cream, Strawberry Candies and a mint leaf. Exclusive to the Streeterville pop-up, My Best Elf features dark rum and hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, red and green sprinkles and an edible spoon, while Winter Noggin’ combines Bacardi Superior with eggnog, whipped cream and blue sprinkles. The holiday cocktail roster is rounded out at all venues with a peppermint chocolate and a classic eggnog.
As an added holiday bonus, $1 from every cocktail will be donated to Meals on Wheels, helping community members to have an easier holiday season.
Image Credit: Kelly Sandos
All Pine For You
at The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Crafted by the team at James Beard Award-winning cocktail bar, The Violet Hour in Chicago, this wintery punch-style sipper evokes all the seasons best flavors with juicy notes of dark cherry, a rosemary aroma and hint of allspice. The crowd-pleasing yet complex cocktail that uses a split base of vodka and Colombian Aguardiente, an anise and sugarcane-based spirit, is perfect for impressing guests with a signature holiday drink that has depth and refreshing drinkability.
Image Credit: Katie Yancu
Old Sport
at LARDON
Winter is on the horizon, and this French and Italian liqueurs-centered location is showing up and showing out with this twist on the classic Negroni. The Old Sport swaps out gin for a warm Russel’s Reserve 10 year Bourbon and pairs it with Apple Brandy, Campari, Sweet Vermouth and a decadent mix of bitters – both the smoked orange and cherry bark variety. The lingering of cinnamon spice from the bourbon in tandem with the fruity sprinklings of orange and cherry bring cheer with every sip.
Image Credit: Kelly Sandos
Par For The Cores
at Avec River North
141 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
An apple cocktail for the colder weather is to be expected… but it’s no surprise that an institution like Chicago’s James Beard Award-winning avec distinguishes theirs as anything but par for the course. Dreamt up by Kate Smith, the female-force behind the brand’s beverage program, the pour is home on the menu at the restaurant’s River North location and combines Laird’s Straight Apple Brandy with Cocchi Americano along with flavors of the season like Honeycrisp Shrub and Pomegranate Grenadine before behind finished with Wildflower Honey. The end result is a zingy, spicy, and funky sip that warms you up at 100 proof.
Image Credit: Maple & Ash
Baller, Shot Caller
at Maple & Ash
8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
A table-side smoke show in keeping with the over-the-top nature of Chicago’s see and be seen steakhouse, this cold weather pour combines the best of sweet and spicy for a drinking experience that wows. Cutting the warmth of Wild Turkey Rare Breed and smokiness of Balvenie 12 year with a helping of lemon zest, the getup is finished with a hint of white truffle honey before being topped with a layer of smoke. Just the strong pour needed to smoke out the harshest of Chicago winter days.
Frozen Espresso Martini
at Ranalli’s Lincoln Park
The frozen version of the traditional espresso martini with CH Distillery Vodka, Dark Matter espresso, and Borghetti espresso liquor. If you want a drink with a good kick and will for sure wake you up for round two, three, and four, stop by Ranalli’s and and embrace the chill.
Pumpkin Espresso Martini
at Highline
Did you read our list of the best pumpkin spice things in Chicago? Here’s another one to add! Enjoy the pumpkin espresso martini at Highline, made with distillery vodka, Dark Matter espresso, pumpkin spice puree, Borghetti espresso liqueur, torta bianca. I know some of you can’t survive without a PS-flavored drink (if not cocktail). So don’t thank me!
Classic Holiday Cocktails
at The Redhead Piano Bar
16 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
Sing along to your favorite carols at Redhead Piano Bar! Tucked away on bustling Ontario Street, The Redhead Piano Bar invites guests to sing along to all the holiday classics with nightly live piano music and performances from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. The cozy late-night spot decked out with garland, lights, and mistletoe will feature seasonal takes on classic cocktails, including a Cranberry Mule, Christmas Margarita, Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail, and more.
The Lodge Tavern
21 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60610
From the holiday menu, guests can choose from festive rifs on classic cocktails like the Skrew-Dolph, Mule-Tide Greetings, Mai Tai-Dings, Ebenezer’s Old Fashioned, and more. And for those looking to warm their bellies, The Lodge Tavern will offer a hot cocktail menu featuring the Ho Ho Hot Toddy, Irish You A Merry Christmas, St. Nick Cider, and more.
Featured Image: Unsplash
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