Over the holidays we pair wine and cheese, cookies and milk, and silver and gold. And now, thanks to some very creative bartenders, we can pair holiday cocktails with holiday music!
Holiday music transcends time and can turn anyone’s mood around with just a few notes, which is why bartenders are using it to satisfy their guests. And now we can too!
Do you like Pina Coladas? Then why not sprinkle some coconut on top and call it Let it Snow! Love the Little Drummer Boy? Pair it with your favourite rum cocktail to channel the famous line, Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum. The options are endless and it’s a great way to get your guests chatting with one another about their favourite pairings.
Here are three-holiday pairings from one of Canada’s top bartenders Billy Killin that will help you drink in some holiday cheer and leave your guests merry and bright:
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
This classic Christmas carol means many things to many people, but to Billy, it meant an invitation to those who are important to us; so he created a punch that will serve a crowd and allows the host to spend time with his/her guests, instead of in the kitchen.
3 cups gin
2/3 cups Peach schnapps
1/8 cup Mezcal
1 ¼ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ½ cups Earl Grey Tea, steeped and cooled
½ tbsp Rose’s Grenadine
2 Cups of Schweppes Ginger Ale
Add all ingredients to punch bowl, mix and serve and garnish with orange and lemon slices
I’ll be Home for Christmas
A true Canadian boy, coming home for Christmas to Billy means classic Canadian food and drinks, so he created a twist on Canada’s cocktail, the Caesar, with a creative wreath made with green pepper and tomatoes for the perfect holiday garnish.
1 ¼ oz Rye whisky
¼ oz Scotch whisky
¼ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes Hot sauce
4 oz Mott’s Clamato
Stuffed Olives
Celery stalk
Rim a highball glass with citrus and rimmer (or celery salt). Fill the glass to the top with ice. Add the ingredients in order listed and stir well to mix. Garnish with a green pepper ring, cherry tomato and small Bocconcini ball.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
For the designated drivers, kids and pregnant women, Billy created a simple mocktail paired to his favourite reindeer, who always ensures Santa arrives safely.
¾ cup Grapefruit Juice
¼ cup Orange juice
1 cup Mr and Mrs T’s Margarita Mix
Sprig of Thyme
Add ice and all ingredients to a rocks glass, garnish with a sprig of Thyme and serve.
