This post moves away from the traditional classic cocktails such as the Martini, Manhattan, and Whisky Sour, all of which we have covered in previous articles. For this Christmas holiday season, we share five other drinks that have been around for a while and deserve a permanent spot in every gentleman’s cocktail menu.
These cocktails taste amazing and easy to prepare, making them perfect for drinking alone, or sharing with family and friends.
Apple cider Old-Fashioned
If you love bourbon whiskey, then an old fashioned are probably a staple in your home. Using apple cider adds an excellent twist to this already great classic cocktail. That being said, nothing will wreck your old fashioned more than a cheap, low-quality whiskey. So use a good quality whiskey for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 ounces good-quality bourbon
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 drops of bitters
- Large ice cube( you don’t want to worry about ice melting too quickly)
- Garnish: orange slice, apple slice, and cinnamon stick
How to Prepare an Apple Cider Old-Fashioned
- Add the dark brown sugar, bitters, a spoonful of water, and an orange peel in a mixing glass and muddle everything until the sugar smooths out.
- Add the bourbon, apple cider, and ice cube.
- Stir for 15 seconds
- Strain the apple cider old fashioned into a rocks glass
- Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick.
The Sidecar
With both the French and English claiming to have invented it, how the Sidecar cocktail got its name has been a subject for debate for decades. Regardless of its origin, it’s by far one of the most popular cognac cocktails.
And, despite its fame, a Sidecar is a very easy cocktail to make. That said, it’s crucial to find the balance between the sweet and sour flavors. Too much lemon or liqueur can quickly overwhelm the desired balance.
Ingredients
- 2 oz cognac
- 1 oz orange liqueur (e.g., Cointreau)
- 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Garnish: orange/lemon twist
How to Prepare a Sidecar
- Pour the cognac, orange liquor, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.
- Shake until well chilled
- Strain into a coupe cocktail glass
- Garnish with an orange or lemon twist
White Russian
Despite its name, the cocktail was actually created in Belgium in the 1940s. But its rise to fame didn’t come until the 1998 crime comedy film “The Big Lebowski.” The main character in the movie, Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski, can be seen drinking the White Russian nine times throughout the film, which exposed the cocktail to a larger new audience.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Kahlúa (or other coffee-flavored liquor)
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz heavy cream
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: sprig of mint or cinnamon stick
How to Prepare a White Russian
- Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes
- Add the Kahlua and vodka into the glass
- Pour the heavy cream over the top
- Garnish with a sprig of mint or cinnamon stick
Spicy Mulled Wine
Typically made with red wine, this sweet and spicy drink will offer an awesome alternative to that mug of hot coffee. This makes it the perfect alcoholic drink for that cold winter night with family over this festive season.
If you manage to have any leftover, let it cool to room temperature. Then place it in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days. To serve, you just need to rewarm it, and you are good to go.
Ingredients
- 1 medium peeled and sliced orange
- 8 to 10 cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup honey, sugar, or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1 bottle red wine (preferably a quality fruity-flavored wine)
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How to Make a Spicy Mulled Wine
- Add the wine, brandy, and honey into a large pot or slow cooker and stir to mix well.
- Add the orange, cloves, and ground ginger.
- Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes. Don’t let it simmer or boil so as to minimize the evaporation of the alcohol in the wine
- Stir occasionally to make sure all the ingredients have been infused into the wine.
- Strain the wine to remove the oranges, cloves, and ginger.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks
The Negroni
Considered one of the most popular classic cocktails, the Negroni is said to have been invented in Florence by an Italian Count called Camillo Negroni in the early 20th century. Legend has it that he was in a bar in Florence drinking a popular cocktail—the Americano(Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda)—when he complained to the bartender that he wanted something stronger.
In response, the bartender replaced the soda water with gin. Soon this new variation rose in popularity. Though a very simple cocktail to make, the quality of your ingredients will make or break your it. So go for the best quality gin and sweet vermouth you can get.
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Also remember, sweet vermouth has a shelf life of about two months once the bottle is open. The Campari makes this cocktail taste bitter, which might be too much for some people. If this is the case, cut the Campari in half and double the gin.
Ingredients
- 1oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Garnish: orange peel
How to Prepare the Classic Negroni
- Add the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoy these amazing cocktails as you celebrate this Christmas holiday. Everyone in the Compass Longview team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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