Bartenders have a rich history: They have been around since ancient times across cultures. And with over half a million bartenders in the U.S., National Bartender Day is a big holiday to celebrate. Whether you go out to a bar or restaurant in your neighborhood, make a trek to a new spot in town, or share a drink with your favorite bartending friend, December 3 is the day to show your appreciation for all the mixologists out there.
Here are a few festive drinks you could for our bartenders to mix up (or do it yourself at home) this holiday season:
Peppermint bark fans, meet your match.
YIELDS: 3 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 c. crushed candy canes
6 oz. white chocolate liqueur
4 oz. vodka
2 oz. peppermint schnapps
2 tbsp. heavy cream
Ice
3 small candy canes
Pour melted chocolate onto a shallow plate, and place crushed candy canes on another shallow plate. Dip rims of martini glasses first in chocolate, then in candy canes. Pour remaining chocolate into the bottom of glasses and swirl to coat the bottom ⅓ of glasses with chocolate. Place glasses in freezer while you prepare the drink.
Combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Fill to the top with ice and shake until cold. Divide drink between 3 glasses and garnish with a candy cane before serving.
A seasonal take on an old favorite.
YIELDS: 4 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 10 MINS
1 lime, halved
2 tbsp. sugar
1 c. sweetened cranberry juice
1 bottle champagne
12 fresh cranberries
4 small sprigs fresh rosemary
Rime champagne flutes with lime and dip in sugar. Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into each glass and top with champagne.
Use a toothpick to poke a hole through cranberries. Thread rosemary skewer through cranberries and garnish mimosas.
When the winter blues come, this blended cocktail will make you forget all about it.
YIELDS: 5 SERVINGS
PREP TIME: 0 HOURS 5 MINS
1 c. vodka
1 c. Prosecco
1/2 c. Blue Curaçao
1/2 c. lemonade
6 c. ice
Lemon wedge, for rimming
White sanding sugar, for rimming
In a blender, combine vodka, Prosecco, blue curaçao, lemonade, and ice. Blend until combined.
Run a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass then dip in sanding sugar.
Pour frosties into rimmed glasses and serve immediately.
A delightful toddy with a kick!
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 5 minutes
8 ounces hot water
2 ounces Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
1/2 tablespoon honey, (or more as necessary)
1/2 lemon, juiced
Add whiskey, hot water, honey, and lemon juice to a large mug and stir.