Wednesday, December 7 – Sunday December 18, 2022
Sample the season with seasonal signature cocktails infused with chef’s garden ingredients by Mixologist and Beverage Manager, Jason Sorge. Always remember that “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is drinking cocktails when friends are near.”
NEW YEAR'S EVE SOIRÉE
featuring The Ryan Hiller Band
Ring in the New Year in style with our all-inclusive New Year's Eve Soirée featuring The Ryan Hiller Band. Begin the night with a Moet & Chandon welcome toast, an array of tray-passed hors d'oeuvres, seafood, dessert stations and a full open bar. Full of Funk, Soul and whole lot of Rock n’ Roll, The Ryan Hiller band is sure to get you on your feet to ring in the New Year.
December 7
Pear Noël
This sparkling cocktail drinks like the holidays in a glass. Warm baking spice notes with touches of apples and pears. Refreshing and full of flavor. Yes, I believe I will have one more. (The French word for Santa Claus, ‘Père Noël') Woodford Reserve Bourbon, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, Sparking Apple Cider, Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters, Dehydrated Pear.
December 8
Darjeeling It's Me
Rancho Bernardo Inn has always been an escape, boasting 265 acres of lush grounds, open air and plenty of holiday cheer this time of year. Rest and rejuvenate during a season of excess with The Inn’s holiday cocktail Darjeeling It’s Me, a bourbon-based hot toddy made with calming lavender, ginger to aid in digestion and Darjeeling tea, a black tea well-known for its antioxidant and stress-relieving properties.
Darjeeling Tea Whiskey Hot Toddy with Ginger and Lavender. Bourbon, Darjeeling Tea, Ginger, Lavender.
December 9
Winter's Friend
Most cocktails in the modern era are a riff on another. Some are altogether different cocktails created with the idea of a drink in mind. This was inspired by the idea of a wintry version of an Old Pal. Michter’s Rye, Dolin Veritable Genepy des Alpes, and Bigallet China China. Bold up front, subtle in the middle, and nuanced in the finish. This will be your new friend this winter, and you never know, it might become an old pal.
December 10
German Village
A mulled spiced wine for drinking while you shop at the German Christmas Markets. The Germans call it Gluhwein, and I drank a lot of it while visiting my friends in Tubingen last year. One of my favorite places to enjoy it was in the center of town as we walked around checking out all the shops. There were all sorts of holiday treats to munch on, so we would snag a cookie or three and then another glass of Gluhwein. The more you have the more you glow! Red Wine, Ginger, Cinnamon, Peppercorn, Star Anise, Orange.
December 11
Not My Gumdrop Buttons
This drinks like a Gingerbread Old Fashioned; all the warm baking spices and good times with a cognac base. Hennessy Cognac, Winter Solstice Spice Mix, Bergamot Bitters.
December 12
Swedish Gimlet
My dad’s mom is of Swedish heritage, and she tended to be the one who influenced her kids most in areas of food. As I was growing up, my parents made us Swedish pancakes many Saturdays when most of my friends were eating the fluffy version. I have the recipe memorized to this day. My grandma also introduced our family to a lovely Christmas bread called Jule Kaga. Jule Kaga is a Scandinavian Christmas bread with cardamom and candied fruits, most often cherries, citron, or raisins. Cardamom and citrus flavors are extremely complimentary so many years ago I put them together in gimlet form. This is the only cocktail from our 12 Days of Cocktails that lives on our AVANT Bar menu year round. It’s surprisingly good not only during the holidays, but in the warmer months as well. It’s neat how it can be both refreshing and warming depending on the season. This is the Swedish Gimlet. Gin, Lime, Aquafaba, Orange & Cardamom Bitters.
December 13
Bad Santa II
Barring a couple of outliers, we all know the sequel is never as good as the original. After tasting Nico de Soto’s Hot Milk Punch at Mace’s first holiday pop-up in December of 2014, I set out to recreate it while on holiday. His version, titled Bad Santa, was an amalgamation of all the best flavors served hot in a santa mug (I got mine in a polar bear mug on one occasion, but I digress). Even with similar ingredients, it will always be difficult to create the feeling I experienced while sitting at that table in NYC on that cold wintry evening, sipping on that punch potion. That said, mine’s pretty damn fine. Thank you Nico de Soto, Greg Boehm, and Zachary Sharaga for a miracle of a pop-up and those nostalgic feelings. Come be nostalgic with us.
December 14
Mom Knows Best
I grew up in Columbus, OH, home to chocolate and peanut butter buckeyes, the best vegetarian burger on the planet, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. I remember meeting up with my family and friends downtown for the gallery hop, and standing in a line outside in the Short North in the middle of winter to eat some of that delectable creamy goodness. One flavor Jeni would release in those chilly months was Influenza Sorbet. It was meant to be filled with ingredients you could enjoy the flavor of even when you have a cold, as well provide some relief for your ailments. Ginger, cayenne, honey, citrus and whiskey. The idea for the flavor is based on her mom and grandma’s classic home remedy of whiskey, honey, lemon—a similar concoction my mom would make. This cocktail is a nod to Jeni’s incredible creations and to all moms did to help us feel better when we got sick. Tequila Reposado, Pineapple, Honey, Cayenne, Tropical Cayenne Sorbet.
December 15
Chocoláte Jarocho
When I lived in Mexico City there were a number of neighborhoods that became my local favorites. Coyoacán is top of the list. From watching fútbol matches in the Coyoacán market while eating tostadas, tacos, and flautas, to wandering around with a paleta in hand while taking in the Museo de Frida Kahlo, there was always something fun and interesting there. However, there was rarely a visit to Coyoacán that I did not go to Café El Jarocho! Their coffee, hot chocolate, and churros are next level. This is my ode to those memories and that space. Tequila, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cayenne.
December 16
House Eggnog
About a week before Thanksgiving I begin to take a look at the offerings for eggnog in whatever store I’m in. Making it from scratch at home is by far the better decision, however I still like having a store bought carton around in case I want a quick fix for that rich, milkshake textured, creamy, nutmeg beverage. I love eggnog. My house recipe has a starting point from recipes of two of the greats—Aaron Goldfarb and Jeffrey Morgenthaler. A must for every Christmas season. Eggs, Cream, Milk, Coconut Milk, Rum, Bourbon, Cognac, Madeira, Nutmeg.
December 17
Under the Mistletoe
The holidays bring out all sorts of feel good emotions for many, including an incredibly romantic season. Perhaps this is your year to meet someone at a holiday party and enjoy a moment together under the mistletoe. Perhaps it will be the cold and warmth of the punch you are sipping on that causes your cheeks to blush, or perhaps it will be because of someone else. This cocktail has that bright red pop of color that embody these fun feelings. White Wine, Cranberry Juice, Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, Peychaud’s Bitters, Bruto Americano, Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters.
December 18
Mele Kalikimaka
I grew up listening to and watching a lot of Bing Crosby so as the holidays roll around Bing starts to get more and more air time in my playlists. One bright and fun song he recorded with the Andrews Sisters in 1950, written by his golfing pal R. Alex Anderson, is difficult to get out of your head. It so catchy and fun. If I found myself on an island during the holidays this is what I would be drinking! Cognac, Lime Juice, Orgeat, Cointreau, Bitter Truth Pimento Dram, Flowers.
