Full disclosure: Monsters & Critics received free samples of the products mentioned in this article for review. However, the opinions expressed are independent and our own.
The year has come to an end, and many of us will be raising a glass in either a “good riddance” or an “it was a wonderful year” toast, depending on how good 2018 was to you and yours.
Our Spirits of the Season annual roundup, now in its tenth year, wraps up with the perfect newcomers, classics and fun picks for cocktails (and gifts) for the important “eves”, Christmas and New Year’s. Or whenever you need a dust-up on your go-to repertoire.
Everyone loves a new cocktail recipe to try. We have you covered.
Our list includes everything from classics to punches along with some of the best choices for after-dinner drinks and a range of both affordable and splurge-time bubbles for you to try out as well.
Bookmark this page for whenever you want to venture out and explore easy new recipes and dazzle your holiday guests.
The Whiskeys: Rye
Knob Creek Rye
Knob Creek Maine Event
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 parts Knob Creek Rye
- 1 part sweet vermouth
- 1 whole fresh cherry
- Rinse of coffee liqueur
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
METHOD
Muddle 1 cherry in a mixing glass.
Add Knob Creek Rye, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters to the glass, and let it sit about a minute.
Fill the glass with the largest ice cubes available and stir until cold.
Put a dash of coffee liqueur around the inside of a chilled, stemmed glass.
Pour the cold drink into a rocks glass, using a strainer to catch any cherry bits.
Redemption Rye
Redemption Rye classic Whiskey Sour
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts Redemption Rye
- 3/4 Part Lemon Juice
- 3/4 Part Sugar Syrup
- 1 Egg White
METHOD
Dry shake ingredients without the ice.
Shake ingredients with ice.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass (or rocks glass).
Garnish with Aromatic Bitters.
The Whiskeys: Bourbon
Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
Basil Hayden’s Spiced Fig
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
- ¾ part Fresh Lime Juice
- ¾ part Simple Syrup
- 2 Ripe Figs, halved
- Ground Cloves
- 1 Lime Wedge (for garnish)
- 1 Rosemary Sprig
METHOD
Muddle figs in a shaker.
Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, lime juice and simple syrup to shaker and shake with ice.
Strain into a coupe glass and top with ground cloves.
Garnish with a lime wedge and rosemary sprig.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Maple Chai Punch
INGREDIENTS
- 1⁄2 cups fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups strong chai tea, brewed
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 1⁄2 cups maple syrup
- 4 dashes orange bitters, preferably Fee Brother’s West Indies
- 3 cups Maker’s Mark Bourbon
- 2 cups dry hard cider
- 4 cups sparkling water
- Apple slices, for garnish
- Lemon slices, for garnish
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
METHOD
Combine lemon juice, maple syrup, chai tea, apple, and hard apple ciders, bitters, and bourbon in a large punch bowl.
Immediately before serving, add a few generous scoops of ice and top with sparkling water.
Novelty whisky/whiskey:
Limited Edition White Walker By Johnnie Walker Whisky
This is THE gift to get a Game of Thrones nut and carefully put in their stocking. White Walker by Johnnie Walker Whisky is presented in a stunning bottle and has the classic “winter is coming” look enhanced with the icy blue bottle. A sipper, the blend has carmelized apple, toasted vanilla and brown sugar notes in this blended scotch whisky best served cold and by itself.
This is a limited edition so act fast!
Root Out Root Beer flavored whisky
Root Out The Little Death
INGREDIENTS
- 4 parts Root Out Whisky
- 3 Parts coffee liqueur
- 2 Parts Cola
- 1 Part Whipping Cream
- 1 Teas White sugar
- Piece of Chocolate
METHOD
Combine all ingredients except the cream in a shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass.
In a separate shaker combine sugar with 2 ounces heavy cream-no ice. Shake until right viscosity (15 shakes, the cream still needs to be liquid enough to be layered).
Carefully layer on top of the drink base-let distribute until the topping is 1/4 inch thick, garnish with shaved chocolate.
Scotch:
(These are meant for giving and sipping neat or with a tiny splash of cold water, do not mix anything into these malts)
Highland Park Magnus
Named for Magnus Eunson who was a direct descendant of the Vikings, and who settled on Orkney Island hundreds of years ago. His earliest years as a distiller in what now is called Highland Park (which was founded in 1798) has inspired this newer expression of a single malt whisky.
Magnus is matured in American oak sherry-seasoned and bourbon casks netting notes of sweet vanilla and a floral peat smokiness. Dark Origins fans will love it, and it’s reasonable, around $55 SRP.
Highland Park The Light
The Light is a newcomer and a special release of only 28,000 bottles (it is costly, about $239. SRP) meant to celebrate the spring and summer in Orkney, where winter’s hibernation is shed as spring heralds the warm long bright days of summer.
The embossed green glass bottle boasts a serpent dragon inspired from the great Norse sagas as it embraces both the high sun of the summer solstice and the low sun of the winter solstice.
Light golden color out of the cask with no color additives, A lighter in flavor expression with fruity notes like caramelized pear, spices like nutmeg, vanilla, and a peat floral smoke that is described as ‘ethereal.”
Highland Park The Dark
Newcomer The Dark continues this Viking connection and is also a special release of only 28,000 bottles. Highland Park celebrates the dark months of autumn and winter on Orkney; a time to gather together with friends and family in long nights of conversation and laughter around the fire. This is a pricey gift ($239 SRP) but for a scotch lover, a great pick.
The embossed black glass bottle boasts the serpent dragon design also inspired by great Norse sagas and embraces both the high sun of the summer solstice and the low sun of the winter solstice. Natural cask-driven color with notes of cedar wood, dried fruits, cinnamon, nutty toasted almonds, and a peat floral smoke aromatic nose.
Vodka
Van Gogh Vodka
Van Gogh Crimson Orange
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ oz. Van Gogh Vodka
- ¾ oz. Aperol
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ¼ oz. simple syrup
METHOD
Add ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
Strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a floating orange slice, fresh or dried.
Rum:
Humboldt Distillery Spiced Rum
Humboldt Distillery Organic Spiced Rum Cider
INGREDIENTS
- 1-gallon fresh apple cider
- Humboldt Distillery Organic Spiced Rum
- Orange slices for garnish
METHOD
Heat the apple cider in a large stock pot or electric urn. To serve: in a mug pour 1.5 oz spiced rum. Add hot apple cider and garnish with orange slice.
For extra spice, wrap 5 whole cinnamon sticks, 1/2 tsp whole cloves, and 1/2 tsp allspice in a cheesecloth. Let the spices soak in the apple cider for 15 minutes while it heats up.
This also tastes great as a cold drink. Pour 1.5 oz spiced rum over ice. Add cold apple cider and garnish with orange.
Sugar Island Spiced Rum
Sugar Island Rum Get Shipwrecked Mai Tai
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ounces Sugar Island Spiced Rum
- 1 dash Pernod
- ½ ounce Orange Curacao
- ¾ ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
METHOD
Fill a shaker with ice. Add 1-ounce of rum, lime juice, Curacao, bitters and Pernod; shake well. Strain into a rocks glass filled with cracked ice. Float the remaining rum on top.
Batiste Rum Silver Ecoiste
Batiste Rum Silver Ecoist Negroni
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 ounces Batiste Rum
- 1 1/2 ounces Campari
- 1 1/2 ounces Sweet vermouth
METHOD
Lightly shake on ice then strain over onto new ice into rocks or old-fashioned glass.
Tequilas:
Alacran Mezcal
Alacran Lemongrass Horchata
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts of Alacran Mezcal
- Zacate Lemon
METHOD
Serve in a tall glass with ice and fill with horchata water.
Garnish with cinnamon powder and stick
Alacran Reposado
Alacran Spicy Apple Margarita
INGREDIENTS
- 1.5 parts Alacran Tequila Reposado
- 1 part lemon juice
- Apple, fresh jalapeño and candied ginger slices
METHOD
Shake all ingredients Serve in a glass rimmed with pink Himalayan salt, cinnamon, and ice.
Tres Agaves Reposado Tequila
Tres Agaves ‘Tis The Spritzer
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Tres Agaves Reposado Tequila
- 1 oz Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
- .5 oz Aperol
- .5 oz Cranberry Juice
- Champagne
- Cranberries (Garnish)
METHOD
Add all the ingredients into a shaking tin and fill with a handful of ice. Shake for 5 seconds and strain into a Collins glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with a few cranberries.
Liqueurs
Five Farms Single Batch Irish Cream Liqueur
Hands down – Five Farms is the creamiest, freshest and best in this category. Great bottle too-make sure to find it and gift this season. Add some Irish whiskey to it for more fun on a cold night.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Irish Whiskey
METHOD
In a shaker, add ice, Five Farms, and whiskey. Shake until chilled and serve in a shot glass.
Chambord liqueur
Chambord Punch Royale
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz Chambord Liqueur
- 8 oz Cranberry juice
- 2 cold bottles (750mL) Korbel Brut California Champagne
- Raspberries and/or blackberries
METHOD
Take two bottles of cold champagne, cranberry juice, and Chambord.
Pour into a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Stir and garnish with raspberries or blackberries.
Amaretto DiSaronno wears Trussardi (in special gift box)
This pretty DiSaronno Wears Trussardi Limited Edition comes in full sized bottles in a gorgeous box or two sets of mini bottles, in packages of three. They’re the perfect gift for the fashionista or collector.
Disaronno Sparkling
INGREDIENTS
- 1 part Disaronno
- 3 parts prosecco
METHOD
Pour ingredients in a flute and garnish with a red currant.
Cognac: The Splurges
(These are meant for giving and sipping neat if you have deep pockets)
Camus XO Borderies Family Reserve
Camus XO Borderies Family Reserve is made from grapes grown on one single Borderies vineyard belonging to the Camus family. It is over $100 a bottle, and is tasty pour with complex notes combining caramel, candied lemon peel, floral, apple, nutmeg, tobacco and has a dryish finish. It’s smooth.
Deau Black
Deau Black Cognac is a sexy showstopper in presentation, and a perfect to gift a collector if you have the dough to buy the Deau. ($300 SRP) This is a is a sophisticated, sweeter and more floral cognac than most and is an aromatic blend of Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne cognacs. Lovely served neat.
Cognac: The Steal
H by Hine VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac
H by Hine VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac is a stone cold steal for under $50, you can likely find it on sale for well under that too. Smooth, complex and aged for a minimum of four years, this cognac earned the Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2007. And it’s fantastic. Tastes like it costs three times the price. (SRP $49.99)
Port
(This is meant for giving and sipping neat)
Fonseca Porto Siroco
This lovely white Port is a drier style perfect to serve as an aperitif (chilled). A blend of Malvasia Fina grapes with smaller proportions of Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Arinto grapes, grown in the Douro Valley. (SRP averages $16 +/-)
For the ‘Eves’…celebratory party bubbles
Mezza di Mezzacorona Italian Glacial Bubbly Estate Grown
Mezza di Mezzacorona is an affordable, crisp, Italian glacial bubbly sparkling wine made with estate-grown grapes from the foothills of the Italian Alps, and is a citrus-tinged, drier pour that should be served chilled. A very good sparkling wine for the price. (SRP $14.99)
Cremant d’Alsace Willm Blanc de Noirs
Willm Blanc de Noirs is a brilliant sparkling wine to buy in lieu of champagne. Crémant d’Alsace is what they call the white and rose sparkling wines of the Alsace wine region of northeastern France. Willm is consistently one of the best and recently earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. (SRP $15)
Cremant d’Alsace Gustave Lorentz
Gustave Lorentz is an elegant Cremant, with notes of yellow apple and a sweet cake aromatic nose. The palate is rounded out with yellow plum and lemon notes, with a creamy yet pleasing structured mineral finish. It veers dry and citrusy and is a great sparkler to serve with any seafood dishes. Full of flavor. (SRP $24.99)
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut Champagne
Highly rated by all the big wine enthusiasts, Laurent Perrier is a structured and sophisticated crisp pour with aromatics of white stone fruit with a berry fruit and spice palate, and yet almost toasty with the Chardonnay grape influence.
Also, Pinot Noir and Meunier grapes make it a fantastic champagne that delights to no end and is a great choice to serve with appetizers or a charcuterie and cheese board. Elegant and a winner, and tastes like it should cost more which is always a nice surprise. (SRP $49.99)
Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Imperial/Moët & Chandon Rose Imperial
Gifting made easy: Moët Impérial Brut Art-of-Living Bottle & Gift Box is presented in a stunning gold decorated bottle with a bit of glistening glamour to all end-of-year festivities.
The golden straw yellow sparkler is a blend of 30-40% Pinot Noir grape with 30-40% Pinot Meunier and 20-30% Chardonnay for a well structured sophisticated lingering palate. It’s a clean, dry finish with creamy lingering notes that delight.
Serve with a cold seafood tower or white meats like roasted turkey or chicken. Limited edition bottle and gift box (complete with a naked bottle) are sold separately (SRP $39.99)
Moët Impérial Rosé Art of Living Bottle & Gift Box is a more intense fair, with 30-40% Pinot Noir blended with 30-40% Pinot Meunier (10% is red wine) and Chardonnay at 10-20%, making it perfect to serve with heartier beef dishes or a spicy ratatouille.
The radiant pink crisp pour has an undercurrent of peach, pepper, and spice. and is a complex rose champagne that is also a pretty in pink festive gift for the holiday, a total winner. Also, it is a limited edition at a great price, so act fast! (SRP $49.99)
Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne
This is a gorgeous champagne to gift or to get.
Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne is an elegant, crisp, drier and exquisite rose champagne, and presents in a light salmon pink color, with top aromatic notes of berries, watermelon, cherries and a hint of citrus.
The flavor is tinged with raspberries and strawberries for a refined and delicate finish. Crafted from Pinot Noir grapes, this champagne earned a score of 96 points from The Connoisseur’s Guide. (SRP $99.99)
Drink responsibly and here’s to your health and for a happy and safe 2019!