Recipes to Remember: Christmas Cocktails to Make Spirits Bright

Top Hat Wine & Liquor has become a go-to stop for locals and beach-bound visitors heading toward Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. With regular tastings, staff picks and their loyalty rewards program, Top Hat makes discovering your next bottle approachable without the island markups.

The owner, Todd Weiss, has poured his energy into creating a liquor store that feels knowledgeable and community-minded. He’s passionate about introducing people to everyday staples and hidden gems and customers know him as someone who enjoys sharing a good story and a great bottle. Here are a few cocktail recipes Weiss recommended for the holiday season.

Eggnog White Russian

Eggnog meets rich coffee liqueur and vodka in this dessert-like holiday classic.
INGREDIENTS

• 1 part Kahlúa
• 1 part Absolut vodka
• 2 parts eggnog

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add Kahlúa and vodka then top with eggnog.
3. Garnish with grated cinnamon and nutmeg.

Secret Santa’s Mulled Wine

While making this recipe, prepare some diced apples, pears, oranges or whole cranberries. Place the remaining mulled wine into a pitcher filled with fruit and refrigerate overnight. Pour over ice for a festive sangria the following day.

INGREDIENTS

• 750 milliliters pinot noir or cabernet
• 3-4 cups unfiltered apple cider
• ½ cup Cointreau or ruby port
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons mulling spice
• 1 orange, zest and juice
• 1 cinnamon stick

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the wine, cider, honey, mulling spice, orange juice and zest in a non-reactive saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain and serve.

White Christmas Margarita

A creamy, tangy twist to the classic margarita with a snowy holiday flair.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ounces LALO blanco tequila
• 1 ounce full fat coconut milk (canned for creaminess)
• 1 ounce triple sec (or Cointreau)
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ounce simple syrup (or agave nectar)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled and frothy.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with shredded coconut-sugar rim then add rosemary and a few cranberries.

Santa “Clausmopolitan”

A take on the classic cosmopolitan. The extra cranberry gives a little extra pucker for under the mistletoe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ ounces vodka
• 1½ ounces cranberry juice
• ½ ounce St. Germain
• ½ ounce simple syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add cranberry juice, vodka, simple syrup and St. Germain.
2. Shake thoroughly then pour the chilled cocktail into glass and garnish with cranberries and rosemary.

By Brooke Watson

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