Raise a Glass

Raise a Glass

The holidays deserve a toast, and we have just the recipes to make yours merry. From cozy bourbon classics to bright, festive sips, these six cocktails from local restaurants are perfect for celebrating. Mix, shake, and enjoy, or better yet, visit the restaurant and let the experts make it for you.

BENCHMARK AMERICAN BRASSERIE
Winter Cosmo

INGREDIENTS

• Rosemary sprig and 3 frozen cranberries (for garnish)
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• Flesh of 1 orange
• Pinch of fresh rosemary
• 1.25 oz lemon vodka
• 0.25 oz cranberry shrub
• 1 oz white cranberry juice

METHOD

1. Garnish a coupe glass with a rosemary sprig and 3 frozen cranberries
2. Muddle simple syrup, orange flesh, and fresh rosemary
3. Add lemon vodka, cranberry shrub, and white cranberry juice
4. Shake and strain into coupe glassware

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Replace the lemon vodka with a non-alcoholic (NA) lemon vodka alternative such as Ritual NA Vodka Alternative, Seedlip Grove 42, or Free Spirits NA Vodka.

THE EAGLE BOURBON & WINE LOUNGE
The Smoked Eagle Old Fashioned

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Orange bitters
• Dash aromatic bitters
• Orange peel (for garnish)
• Amarena cherry (for garnish)

METHOD

1. Combine ingredients and serve over a large, clear ice cube
2. Garnish with an orange peel and an Amarena cherry

FOR THE SMOKE

• Whiskey smoker lid/topper
• Wood chips (tiny pieces made for smoking cocktails)
• Torch (butane torch works best)

1. Place the whiskey smoker lid on top of the drink.
2. Add a small pinch of wood chips into the smoker (don’t overfill).
3. Use the torch to ignite the chips until they produce dense smoke.
4. Let smoke fill the glass.
5. Cover it fully with the smoker lid/topper.
6. Let the drink rest under the smoke for 1–3 minutes. The longer it sits, the deeper the smoke flavor.

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Replace the bourbon with a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative such as Spiritless Kentucky 74, Lyre’s American Malt, or Ritual Whiskey Alternative.

LOST PIZZA CO.
Espresso Martini

INGREDIENTS

• 2.5 oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
• 0.5 oz Kahlua
• 0.5 oz house-made simple syrup

METHOD

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice
2. Shake until frosty, about 1 minute
3. Pour into a frosted martini glass
4. Enjoy!

For a creamier taste, replace 0.5 oz vodka with 0.5 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream.

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Replace the espresso vodka, Kahlua, and Bailey’s with non-alcoholic alternatives such as Lyre’s Coffee Originale, Lyre’s Coffee Cream Liqueur, and an NA vodka substitute like Ritual Vodka Alternative.

NAAMAN’S PREMIUM BBQ & FINE STEAKS
Spicy Margarita

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 shots tequila
• 0.75 shot triple sec
• Fresh jalapeño
• Sweet and sour mix
• Tajin (for rim)
• Lime and jalapeño (for garnish)

METHOD

1. Muddle jalapeño with triple sec and tequilla
2. Top with sweet and sour mix and ice
3. Shake and strain into a glass rimmed with Tajin
4. Garnish with lime and jalapeño

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Replace the tequila and triple sec with non-alcoholic alternatives such as Ritual Tequila Alternative and Lyre’s Orange Sec.

THE PRIMARY COMMONS
The Secret Garden

INGREDIENTS

• Fresh lemon flesh
• Lavender simple syrup
• 0.75 oz pea flower infused Lillet Blanc
• 1.25 oz gin
• Prosecco
• Lemon (for garnish)

METHOD

1. Muddle lemon flesh and lavender simple syrup in a shaker
2. Add ice, Lillet Blanc, and gin
3. Shake and strain into a flute
4. Top with prosecco
5. Garnish with a lemon twist

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Replace the Lillet Blanc, gin, and prosecco with non-alcoholic alternatives such as Lyre’s Apéritif Blanc in place of Lillet, Ritual or Lyre’s NA Gin, and a non-alcoholic sparkling wine like Fre or Surely.

TWISTED FORK GRILL & LOUNGE
Blue Mule

INGREDIENTS

• Blueberries
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• (optional, for a sweeter cocktail)
• Ginger beer
• Lime and fresh mint (for garnish)

METHOD

1. Muddle a handful of blueberries in a pint glass
2. Add lime juice, vodka, and simple syrup, if desired
3. Add ice to a copper mug
4. Shake and strain, or rough-pour muddled ingredients over ice
5. Top with ginger beer
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and sprig of fresh mint

FOR A REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Omit the vodka.