Fashion Reverie’s 2020 Holiday Cocktails

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season is a time of reflection for all that we have, and a time of celebration of what’s to come. While we are all smartly socially distancing, many of us will come together in small groups to cherish time with family and friends. What’s a holiday get-together without a few libations? Master bartender Rick Fuller has created a few holiday drinks to add some festive cheer. To that, we say good tidings, gather in only small groups, and drink responsibly.

Mulled Wine

For a small, relaxed get together of four to eight people, a warm drink around the campfire may be what the mood calls for. Mulled wine is great for the occasion because it can be prepared in advance and will keep everyone warm and toasty on a cold winter night.

2 750ml bottles of dry red wine

1 cup brown sugar

6 cloves

2 star anise

3 cinnamon sticks

Sliced apples and oranges

Cranberries

1 cup bourbon (optional)

In a large stockpot, toast the cloves, star anise, and cinnamon sticks over a medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes.

After the spices have toasted, add the red wine to just below the simmer point. DO NOT let it bubble, you do not want to boil off the alcohol.

While the mixture is simmering, add the fruit, and bourbon, if you’re using any.  Next, stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves. Cover the pot and continue to heat the mixture over a low flame for 5 minutes.

Turn off the flame and let the mixture cool, covered, for 8-10 minutes.

Serve warm in heatproof mugs.

Mezcal Snow Martini

Egg nog. Coquito. Ponche de crème. The de rigueur holiday drink is often cream based. But this year, why not try something a little different? This Mezcal Snow Martini brings you the creamy confection that you’re accustomed to but adds a savory flair that you don’t always get with other cream drinks.

1.5 ounces mezcal

2 ounces RumChata

½ ounce Irish Cream

Marshmallow

Lemon wedge

Cinnamon sugar mix

In a shaker, add ice, mezcal, RumChata and Irish cream. Shake for 20 seconds until chilled.

Using the lemon wedge, rim a martini glass. Dip glass into cinnamon sugar mixture to garnish.

Pour mixture from shaker into the rimmed martini glass and top with a marshmallow.

Rum Old Fashioned

Some of us are old school, and we like classic drinks. But like most holiday classics—movies, music, family traditions—sometimes it’s nice to experience an updated version. This rum old fashioned is just that, a modern take on an oldy but goody. The remix with the spiced rum is the holiday kick you’re looking for.

1½ ounces spiced rum

½ ounce brandy

½ ounce agave

2 tablespoons sparkling water

3 dashes orange bitters

3 dashes Angostura bitters

Cinnamon sticks (for garnish or can be frozen in ice for presentation)

Add sparkling water, agave and bitters to a mixing glass then stir until agave is fully combined.

Add ice, spiced rum, and brandy to the mixing glass. Stir well to combine and chill.

Strain the mixture over a large ice cube in a lowball glass. Twist the orange peel over the drink to release the aromatic oils. Place the orange peel in the drink. Enjoy!!

Chocolate Martini

Let’s get decadent! Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. What’s wrong with that? Nothing! Satisfy your sweet tooth with this martini that proves chocolate isn’t just for Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

2 ounces rum

1 ounce Irish crème

¼ ounce Kahlua

¾ ounce chocolate syrup

Shaved dark chocolate, for garnish

In a glass shaker, add rum, Irish crème, Kahlua, and a few cubes of ice. Shake for 15 seconds.

Decorate the inside of the martini glass with chocolate syrup—not too much, but just enough for presentation.

Pour the chilled mixture into the martini glass, garnish with shaved dark chocolate and serve. CHEERS!

Winter Sparkles

Who would have thought that bourbon and bubbly would go well together? Guess what … They do! Combining a serious spirit with a fizzy splash is what Winter Sparkles is all about. A strong start and a refreshing finish; seems apropos for 2020.

1 ounce bourbon

1 ounce champagne or sparkling wine

Ginger Ale

Raspberries, for garnish

In a highball glass, add 1 ounce bourbon and 1 ounce of champagne, then add ice.

Top off with ginger ale and add raspberries to finish. There you have it, ready to drink. Enjoy!

Party Starter for 2

An intimate occasion for two. The Party Starter certainly sets the mood for your private rendezvous. The recipe is simple and fool proof, and it means you’ll spend less time at the bar, and more time … together.

2 ounces vodka

1 ounces bourbon

½ ounce blue curacao

7up (cold)

Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add vodka, bourbon, and blue curacao shake.

Strain into champagne flutes and top off 7Up in both glasses.

—Carl Ayers

Image credits

• 2020-holiday-cocktails-mulledwine-1-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• 2020-holiday-cocktails-mezcalsnowmartini-2-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• 2020-holiday-cocktails-rumoldfashioned-3-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• 2020-holiday-cocktails-chocolatemartini-4-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• 2020-holiday-cocktails-wintersparkles-5-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• 2020-holiday-cocktails-partyfor2-6-fashion-reveries-2020-holiday-cocktails.jpg — Editorial image.
• holiday-2020-cocktails.jpeg — Editorial image.