Holidays are coming…

Yep, the festive season is upon us – and there is officially no escaping the fact that Santa and his reindeer will soon be bestowing gifts on all the good boys and girls. Look around and you will see a plethora of tinsel, sequins, glittering lights and penguins, so you might as well get used to it, buddy.

And what better way to do this than with some cocktails that embrace these traditions in alcoholic form? In the lead up to Christmas we’ll be giving you a series of establishments that are easing you into the festive spirit with, er, festive spirits.

But wait! Before Christmas takes the helm, let’s not forget the fun to be had with our cousins from across the pond, and jump on the Thanksgiving bandwagon. After all, if this is a day where sweet potato baked with marshmallow is allowed (look it up, it’s a real thing) then it’s certainly something we can get on board with.

For the best Thanksgiving cocktails, we recommend heading to Jackson and Rye. With their third base in Richmond opening to join the Chiswick High Road and Wardour Street branches, then there’s ample opportunity to sip on some fabulous drinks from the U S of A while also chowing down on their special menu.

On the 27th November you can get in the Harry-Met-Sally mood at this New York style cafe, and join Brits and Americans alike to raise a star-spangled glass of one of two special drinks. The Toffee Apple blends vodka with sweet apple, rich butterscotch and a dash of lemon for that citrus kick, and provides a tasty treat in cocktail form, which the indulgent Rye Alexander is whiskey, Crème de Cacao, cream and a hint of spiced nutmeg for something to really blast the autumn chills away.

You might want something of a savoury nature to complement all this or perhaps, hell, you just fancy really throwing yourself into Thanksgiving – in which case there is also an all day set menu bringing the best of the famous feast to the table. Chow down on pumpkin soup with truffle, followed by crispy buttermilk turkey breast served with spiced cranberry slaw and mac n cheese, then finish up (if you have room) with some good old pecan pie. Well, all this cold weather means we need a little padding on our bones…

And to get you in the Festive Spirit…

A Very Sherry Christmas at TwoRuba

The über sophisticated and tres chic TwoRuba at Tower Bridge is getting festively fabulous with their Very Sherry Christmas. Yep, good old sherry – it’s not just for nanna, as the cocktail whizzes here have combined the Bristol Cream variety with sweet pineapple, a zing of lime juice, christmassy-cranberry and a drop of Sirop de Canne, then served it all in a Moscow Mule mug and topped it with a sprig of mint (almost holly) and redcurrant. Not only does it look good enough for one of Santa’s elves, but it’s darn tasty too, and is sure to put a merry flush in your cheeks. Plus, if you fancy a nibble, then you can also order the festive sliders as a delicious accompaniment.

We’ve can also heartily recommend the two new offerings from Drake and Morgan, released on 24th November. The first is Sugar and Spice, available in any of their beautiful sites from The Drift to The Fable and beyond (check their website here for locations). They have gifted us with the very merry combination of Chairman’s Spiced Rum, Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, rich pomegranate molasses, old-fashioned bitters, sugar and prosecco, with a citrus orange twist (better here than in the toe of a stocking). This delicious libation is the cocktail equivalent of a roaring fireside, so chuck on your comedy Crimbo sweaters and get sipping.

The second is exclusive to The Happenstance, and is given the rather intriguing title of Rudolph’s Revenge. Well, he does have the short end of the straw on Christmas Eve – anyone doing that much donkey (sorry, reindeer) work over the holidays needs a strong tipple. What could be better than a cocktail made of venison stock and Mandarin Blossom Hangar One Vodka? Top it off with a few juniper berries and orange peel, and you’ve got a boozy delight to see in the festive season.

Now, for those wanting to add a bit of glitz and glamour during December (and why ever not? It’s party season, after all), then there is no better place to head than Cartizze. The cocktail boffins at this chic hideaway in Mayfair have been working harder than Santa’s little helpers in order to create a divine drink named the Jolly Holly that encompasses some festive favourites. Made using holly and vanilla infused vodka, King’s Ginger Liqueur, Somerset Cider Brandy and Agave Nectar, and dusted with torched cinnamon, then one sip and your eyes will be lighting up like, well, a Christmas tree.

And look out for the first of our Christmas Countdown Cocktails on December 1st, when we’ll be providing you with an advent calendar of delights for where to get the perfect seasonal drinks.

Rebecca Milford