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FAVORITE HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

The holidays are all about tradition , and cocktails are no exception . From eggnog and mulled wine to hot buttered rum , festive punches and Martinis , there are plenty of beverages suited for ringing in the season .
We decided to look for some less-traditional sips and turned to the Miracle and Sippin ’ Santa holiday-themed pop-up cocktail bars . Miracle and Sippin ’ Santa partner with some of the best cocktail bars across the U . S . to bring their holiday concepts to life from Nov . 22 to Dec . 31 , with decorations , music and , of course , specialty cocktails .
Here are a few of this year ’ s faves from some of the pop-up participants . While they wouldn ’ t reveal the proprietary recipes , they did share the ingredients to give you some ideas for creating your own holiday specials .
WHO : Seamus Caffrey , beverage director of Miracle on Main ( aka 158 on Main ) in Mooresville , NC .
WHAT : The SanTaRex , with blanco tequila , mezcal , melon liqueur , almond orgeat , lime , Tiki bitters
WHY : To me , the holidays are all about finding the comfort and nostalgia of the familiar and traditions , and opening a gift that is new ! The SanTaRex is a fun way to rediscover tequila and Midori , the green melon liqueur . This one is a delicious take on a classic Midori Sour that has some fun forgotten spirits , and is like opening an exciting new present !
WHO : Jeff “ Beachbum ” Berry , partner in Sippin ’ Santa at Latitude 29 ( aka Beachbum Berry ’ s LAtitude 29 ) in New Orleans .
WHAT : The Azul Navidad , with tequila , mezcal , lime , cream of coconut , blue Curaçao , hazelnut liqueur , pineapple rum
WHY : My favorite new cocktail this year is the Azul Navidad , because not only does it pair flavors and aromas from your tropical vacation and your Christmas vacation — the mash-up that Sippin ’ Santa is all about -- but introduces a Latin vibe as well through tequila and mezcal .
WHO : Amanda McBride , general manager at Miracle at The Kimpton Marlowe Hotel ( aka Bambara Kitchen & Bar ) in Cambridge , MA .
WHAT : The Snowball Old Fashioned , with rye , gingerbread , aromatic bitters , wormwood bitters , orange essence
WHY : The dramatic impact of using a real snowball plus the gingerbread cookie flavors make this an instant classic . It also puts guests in such a festive spirit that they just start singing Christmas carols when they ’ re drinking this cocktail . What ’ s not to love about that ?!
WHO : Tony Coxum , bar manager , Sippin Santa at The Grass Skirt ( aka The Grass Skirt ) Polynesian restaurant in San Diego .
WHAT : The Sippin ’ Santa , with aged Demerara rum , amaro , lemon , orange , gingerbread mix
WHY : The Sippin ’ Santa is my favorite holiday cocktail . The aged Demerara rum , amaro and ginger blend so well with the citrus flavors , and it comes in the most iconic surfing Santa mug .
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