This is the time of year to boost your beverage game—to elevate coffee, tea, cocktails and mocktails with seasonal flavors and festive garnishes. The five recipes here will quickly get guests in the holiday spirit.
Fresh ingredients and house-made mixers elevate zero-alcohol drinks just as they do cocktails. Mixologist Tony Pereyra gives this libation an Asian twist with a simple syrup made with mango and kaffir lime leaves, then uses it to sweeten a blend of coconut water, pineapple juice and lime.
Photo courtesy of The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley
Buta Sour
This riff on a whiskey sour combines bourbon, rum and chartreuse with tea and yuzu sour blend. The drink was created for the Cochon event in Austin, but the shimmering red color is perfect for holiday celebrations.
For this indulgent treat, espresso is blended with ice cream and chocolate syrup, then topped with whipped cream. To give it a holiday twist, garnish with crushed peppermint candies instead of chopped peanut butter cups.
Avocados enhance this calming, culinary-inspired green cocktail. Cucumber vodka, lime juice, mint and crystallized ginger complete the flavor profile and a splash of soda water adds fizz.