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The 2022 Holiday Drink Guide

3 drinks for the holiday hero

Gabriel, Bar Manager extraordinaire of Coquetel, Stockholm, shows us his favourite holiday drinks for the perfect celebrations - whatever the occasion.

Coquetel is a small bar in the heart of Stockholm, with influences from Cuba and Brasil, playing wonderful Música Popular Brasiliera while making classic cocktails.

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Drink No. 1: Tuxedo No.2

One of the more popular drinks, The Tuxedo No. 2, comes from the Tuxedo club, a private country club in NYC. It shares many qualities with a classic Dry Martini but has a bit more sting and character. It's the perfect welcome drink for New years eve - getting everyone in the right mood.

What you need:

Gin – 40ml
Dry Vermouth – 20ml
Maraschino Liqueur – 8ml
Absinthe – a dash
Maraschino Cherry
Lemon twist

  1. Chill mixing glass + coupe.
  2. Add Gin, Dry Vermouth and Maraschino Liqueur to a mixing glass.
  3. Add ice and stir for about 30-60 sec. Taste test during the process. Meanwhile, add a small amount of Absinthe to the coupe glass and swirl. Discard.
  4. Use a Julip strainer; slowly strain the mix into the drinking glass.
  5. Add a maraschino cherry and press the oil from a lemon twist over the drink. Discard the peel.
  6. Enjoy.
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Drink No. 2: Brandy Alexander

A dessert for adults, perfect with Christmas candies, like After Eight or chocolate Pralines.

Gabriel describes it as a Christmas Avec, like an elevated white Russian, perfect for the days around Christmas when you just want to drink something comforting and delicious. The recipe comes from the famous The Savoy Cocktail Book.

What you need:

Cognac – 30ml
Crème de cacao – 30ml
Heavy cream – 30ml
The heavier the cream, the merrier.

  1. Chill a coupe glass.
  2. Add all ingredients and ice to a shaker.
  3. Shake intensely for the cream to get foamy.
  4. Strain and pour into the coupe.
  5. Optional (for extra Christmas feeling): Grate nutmeg over the drink.
  6. Enjoy.
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Drink No. 3: Gin-Gin Mule: Holiday Edition

Modern classic created by Pegu Club's Audrey Saunders.

A more adult mojito-esque drink with more freshness, complexity and luxury. The Holiday Edition features champagne instead of the regular club soda. The Gin-Gin Mule is an excellent drink for dreaming away when all on your mind is the wintery cold and salty, fatty foods.

What you need:

Gin – 50ml
Lime – 25ml
Simple syrup – 15ml
Sweetened Ginger juice – 15ml
Mint – a bunch
Champagne – top up

First off, we need to make some sweetened ginger juice. It’s rather straightforward and can be used for a plethora of other drinks and recipes.

How to make the ginger juice:

  1. Centrifuge whole pieces of ginger.
  2. Strain the juice.
  3. Let it rest for about 30 minutes until the sediments fall to the bottom.
  4. Pour slowly over to a new container, avoiding pouring over the sediment.
  5. Mix cold with equal parts gin juice and sugar. Mix until combined.
  6. Store in the fridge. It will hold up to a month in the fridge.

Gin-Gin Mule:

  1. Put the mint in an ice bath for approx 15 minutes in order to make the stalks and leaves more crispy and fresh. Let dry on a tea towel.
  2. Chill a highball glass in the freezer.
  3. Add all ingredients except the Champagne to a shaker.
  4. Add 6 leaves of mint to the shaker.
  5. Add ice to the shaker and glass. The shaker needs a lot of ice, so don’t be afraid of adding too much.
  6. Shake for about 15 sec. But don’t be too violent. We don’t want to break the leaves as they become bitter.
  7. Strain the mixture with a fine mesh strainer into the highball glass.
  8. Top up with champagne and garnish with a couple of sprigs of mint.
  9. Enjoy.

 

Stay warm this holiday and enjoy some well-deserved time off with these perfectly delicious holiday drinks.