I recently became a featured writer on Chowhound’s new Philadelphia City Guide. I’m excited to be contributing to it and showcasing amazing eats and drinks in our great city! Be on the lookout for an official announcement and launch soon.

In any event, my first published article 10 Holiday Cocktails in Philadelphia is live. It merely scratches the surface of drinking in the city this holiday season. The guide is meant to whet your appetite for creative cocktails being offered by a growing number of highly skilled and innovative bartenders and mixologists. Here are some more seasonal tipples to get excited about.  🎅🤶🎄⛸🌨☃❄

1. Home Alone at Jet Wine Bar

Jet Wine Bar
1525 South Street
(South Street West)

Recipe and Prep:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1/2 oz Averna

• 1/2 oz clove infused simple syrup

• 3 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir over ice and strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnish with an orange twist.

Clove simple syrup recipe:

• 1 cup raw sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/3 cup whole cloves

• If you are feeling crazy, add a slice of ginger!)

Jet Wine Bar’s Manager Amanda Juner says, “There is nothing I love more than a good snow storm. During a blizzard last winter, I was experimenting at home with bourbon cocktails and mixed together this gem and enjoyed one (or three) while watching my favorite holiday movie, Home Alone. This cocktail warms my soul the way that movie warms my heart. Cheers!”

2. Hot Mulled Wine by Chaddsford Winery

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
City Hall Courtyard and North Apron
(Center City)

Christmas Village is open from November 24-December 24. One of the many hot beverages being offered is this Hot Mulled Wine served in a Christmas Village mug. It’s made with local wine from Chaddsford Winery.

3. Linda & Lila at Square 1682

Square 1682
121 South 17th Street
(Rittenhouse Square)

Ingredients:

• .75 oz blackberry-rosemary syrup

• 2 oz Kinsey Rye

• approx 4 oz Mighty Tea Camomile Citrus Tea

• garnish with mint sprig

Lead Bartender Daniel Kulisek says, “This cocktail is named for two female leads in the 1942 holiday classic film Holiday Inn. It’s a spiked hot toddy blending chamomile-citrus tea with locally produced Kinsey Rye, house-made blackberry-rosemary syrup.”

4. Spiked Hot Chocolate, Egg Nog, and Twinkling Lights at Bridget Foy’s

Bridget Foy’s
200 South Street
(Headhouse District)

Bridget Foy’s on South Street has three festive cocktails on the holiday drink menu. Bartender Paul Rodriquez says, “Christmas is our favorite time of the year! Our recipe for Egg Nog is a traditional one, blending beaten egg whites with frothy cream and of course spiking with bourbon and topping with fresh ground nutmeg. The Spiked Hot Chocolate is a play on an Irish coffee. We reduce Guinness stout on the stove top to make a concentrated syrup. Then use Jameson, Bailey’s and house made rich cocoa and top with chantilly cream. The result a liquid dessert, that really warms you!” They also offer Twinkling Lights which contains pomegranate vodka, ginger syrup, lime, cranberry, topped with Cava rosé.

5. The Yule Ball at Bar Volvér

Bar Volvér
300 South Broad
(Center City)

Bartender Alison Hangen created this merry cocktail that includes the following:

• Rum

• Fernet

• spiced cranberry

• lemon

• angostura bitters

• egg white

6. Calvados Cocktail at La Peg

La Peg Brasserie
140 North Columbus Blvd.
(Delaware Waterfront)

Ingredients:

• Boulard Calvados VSOP

• Clos Normand sparkling apple cider

• simple syrup

• pear puree

• cinnamon

General Manager Brad Histand at La Peg says, “Freshly pureed pears, funky apple cider, cinnamon and the fall flavors of Calvados make this perfect for the season.”

7. The Grapefruit Mule at London Grill

London Grill
2301 Fairmount Avenue
(Fairmount)

Ingredients:

• Ketel One vodka

• shrub

• grapefruit juice

• Angostura bitters

• ginger beer

London Grill Owner Terry McNally says, “The Grapefruit Mule is our take on a holiday classic, which stands the test of time – just like London Grill.”

8. Twizzle, Beer Cocktail by Rothman Cabin

Rothman Cabin at Dilworth Park
City Hall

Ingredients:

• Rebel Juiced IPA

• a shot of Effen Blood Orange Vodka

• a squeeze of lemon

Rothman Cabin is where Air Grille by Brûlée is calling it home for the winter! The airstream at Dilworth Park moved to the cabin and will be there throughout the season with a whole new menu and full bar. Brûlée Catering’s Ginger Metzger says, “Twizzle is a figure skating move to spin on one skate and with the Rothman Cabin is located next the ice rink at Dilworth Park it was a fitting name for a drink that features Samuel Adam’s Rebel Juiced IPA, swirling with ripe aromas of mango and tropical fruits, Effen Blood Orange Vodka and a squeeze of lemon.”

Do you know of any other sprightly spirited seasonal drinks worth mentioning ? Let us know! Email us: phillygrub@gmail.com.

Cheers!