This holiday isn’t necessarily the first you’d think of when pairing cocktails — the traditional foods associated with the Festival of Lights are mostly fried, in remembrance of the oil that kept the menorah lit for 8 days, and we have yet to figure out a fried cocktail! However, it also falls during the early winter, when classic flavors like winter spice & fruit are exciting and new again. We’ve collected some of our favorite recipes, each with a little Hanukkah twist; check them out below.
Apple Bee’s Knees
Bright and festive — pair with applesauce & latkes.
2 oz Gin No. 6
1 oz Apple Juice
¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
¾ oz Honey Simple
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass or a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an apple slice, a lemon twist, or both!
Once Upon a December
While the littles enjoy gelt, the adults can also have something sweet and chocolatey.
2 oz Tahitian Vanilla Vodka
1 oz Dark Crème de Cacao
1 oz Half & Half
½ oz Crème de Menthe
¼ oz Demerara Simple
¼ oz Coffee Liqueur
Shake ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a mint leaf, if desired.
House of Cards
Warm and comforting with honey & spice — it’s even appropriately gelt-colored!
1¾ NS American Malt Whiskey
¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
¾ oz Honey Simple
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Shake ingredients with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
8 Days
A winter take on the classic old fashioned cocktail, jazzed up with a dash of fruit & rich malt whiskey.
1 Half Wheel of Orange
1 dash Luxardo Cherry Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters
½ oz Demerara Simple
2 oz NS American Malt Whiskey
Muddle first four ingredients, then add whiskey. Stir with ice, then strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange swath or a cocktail cherry.
