This winter, restaurants and bars across South Florida are inviting guests to celebrate the holidays with exclusive seasonal cocktails, from “Bad Santa” selections to peanut butter espresso martinis. These libations are crafted by some of the best mixologists in the region, so there’s surely something to strike your fancy.
JOEY Aventura
After a day of holiday shopping at Esplanade at Aventura, skip the coffee shops and get your spiked espresso fix at JOEY Aventura. The restaurant’s Skrewball Espresso Martini mixes Skrewball Peanut Butter Whisky with JOEY’s fresh dark espresso and a touch of Irish cream liqueur. The robust drink is served neat so drinkers can experience its silky taste of bitter dark chocolate blended with the creamy deliciousness of peanut butter, crafting a nostalgic feel of winter holiday cocktails as both a dessert drink and a pick-me-up.
Whiskey Neat Cocktail Lounge
With one of the largest whiskey selections in South Florida (over 230 rare varieties), Whiskey Neat is a reliable source when it comes to delicious spirits. This relaxing urban cocktail lounge is serving four can’t-miss holiday-themed cocktails this season, including the St. Nik Sour, made with Duke & Dame salted caramel whiskey, lemon and simple syrup; the Holiday Affair, a blend of Don Julio Reposado, apple cider, cranberry and prosecco; Mistletoe at Midnight, featuring Wheatley vodka, espresso, Mr. Black coffee liqueur and homemade chocolate peppermint syrup; and the Night at the Nutcracker, made with Redemption rum cask rye, chocolate bitters and homemade brown sugar pecan syrup.
Bad Santa at Quarterdeck Restaurants
Slide on your Santa hat, because Quarterdeck Restaurants is serving up its “Bad Santa” holiday drinks from December 1-24 across all five South Florida locations. The four specialty cocktails include the White Christmas, a festive blend of Stoli Vanilla vodka, Baileys salted caramel liqueur and half-and-half; Jack Frost, a mix of Espolòn Blanco, coconut purée, triple sec and lime juice; Under the Mistletoe, featuring Papa’s Pilar blonde and dark rum, blueberry purée, apple cider and rosemary; and The Old Fashioned, with Knob Creek smoked maple rum, a sugar cube, Filthy Cherry and chocolate bitters. Guests can sit in the no-frills dining rooms and bars or on the relaxing outdoor patios. In addition to holiday cocktails, Quarterdeck will also feature weekly December food specials.
White Cosmo at Casa Sensei
Get close to a winter wonderland this holiday season by sipping from Casa Sensei’s White Cosmo ($15). The Pan-Asian and Latin American restaurant’s winter-esque cocktail is a crisp blend of vodka, St-Germain, white cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice and cranberry garnish for that pop of red and white. Enjoy this holiday treat from Casa Sensei’s alfresco waterfront patio or via a scenic Riverfront Gondola Tour overlooking the stunning canals of Las Olas.
