Christmas Cocktails

We could wax nostalgic and throw in a slew of clichés about the holiday season being a time of warmth and candlelight, toasts and glasses of fine port. But it is also a time of screaming in-laws and a million reasons to hit up the bar as a place of sanctuary. Whatever the reason your patrons choose to frequent your pride and joy, make sure there is a cocktail to suit their needs.

Mint Chocotini
3/4 ounce Sgt. Peppermint liqueur
3/4 ounce coffee liqueur
3/4 ounce white creme de Cacao
1/2 ounce half and half
Add ice, shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled
Martini glass.
Courtesy of McCormick Distilling.

Mele Kaliki
(Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)
1 ounce Stoli Vanila
1 ounce Stoli Raz
1/2 ounce of Rumplemintz
1/2 ounce of grenadine
1/2 ounce of Midori
1 peppermint or candy cane
Combine Stoli Vanila, Stoli Raz and Rumplemintz in shaker. Shake well. In a chilled Martini glass, layer grenadine and Midori and pour mix from shaker on top over a bar spoon to create red, green, clear-layered effect. Garnish with peppermint dropped in the bottom or candy cane hanging over side.
Courtesy of Rum Runners USA, www.rumrunnersusa.com

Bobsledder's Banshee
House specialty glass, chilled.
Pour ingredients into blender.
1 ounce Hiram Walker Peppermint Schnapps
1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream
3/4 ounce half and half
2 chocolate chip cookies
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Blend ingredients (with ice optional).
Chocolate chip cookie garnish.
Courtesy of Robert Plotkin, BarMedia Inc.

Peppermint Patie Martini
1 1/2 ounces Bafferts mint gin
1 ounce Godiva chocolate liqueur
1/2 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake. Pour into Martini glass rimmed with cocoa powder and garnish with a candy cane.
Courtesy of OPM Nightclub, Las Vegas www.o-pm.com.

Jack Frost
1 ounce Jack Daniel’s
2 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 ounce Dr. Mcgillicuddy’s Mentholmint Schnapps
1 ounce Kahlúa
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain in to a sugared Martini glass.
Garnish with a candy cane and enjoy.
Courtesy of Brother’s Bar & Grill, La Crosse, Wis.

Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog
3 ounces of Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nog
1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
3/4 ounces of Boulaine hazelnut liqueur
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass.  Garnish with fresh-ground nutmeg.
Courtesy of Dairyland Distillers Co., Philadelphia, Pa.