Nothing can help jolly up the season like holiday cocktails. With the help of some Orange County restaurants, we’ve rounded up an assortment of drinks sure to be holiday party pleasers. If you love peppermint, cranberry juice or mojitos, you’ll have to try these recipes.
A Restaurant
3334 Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach :: 949.650.6505
Drop by for some casual dining and the Peppermint Bark cocktail ($12) made by bartenders like Michelle Serpa, who made my tasty drink. Or make it in the comfort of your home.
Peppermint Bark
2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz Godiva white chocolate liqueur
Peppermint bark on rim
Morton’s The Steakhouse
1895 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim :: 714.621.0101
1641 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana :: 714.444.4834
The Sparkling Sleigh Ride ($14.50) is available through New Year’s.
Sparkling Sleigh Ride
3/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino cherry liqueur
3/4 oz Tuaca
1 oz cranberry juice
Lunetta Prosecco
Fresh cranberry
Mint leaf
Pour Luxardo, Tuaca and cranberry juice into Champagne flute. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with fresh cranberry and mint leaf.
RA Sushi
2401 Park Ave., Tustin :: 714.566.1700
5th St., Huntington Beach :: 714.536.6390
This holiday season, RA Sushi is introducing three new Skinny Cocktails. Three classic cocktails – the Cosmopolitan, mojito and Cucumber Margarita – have been slenderized to less than 200 calories each. The Skinny Cocktails will be available December 15 through January 31, 2011 for $7 each.
Cosmo-teeny
2 oz TY KU Soju
.5 oz Monin Sugar Free Triple Sec Syrup
Juice of 1/2 a lime
Splash of cranberry juice
Garnish with a lemon twist
Pour all ingredients into a metal mixing tin. Shake vigorously and strain into chilled martini glass garnished with a lemon twist.
Thin Mint Mojito
1 oz TY KU Soju
1 oz TY KU liqueur
.25 oz Monin Sugar Free Triple Sec Syrup
6 mint leaves
Juice of 1/2 a lime
Top with soda water
Muddle mint with lime juice. Add ice and build cocktail. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime slice and sprig of mint.
Cucumber Slenderita
1 oz TY KU Soju
1 oz TY KU liqueur
.5 oz Monin Sugar Free Triple Sec Syrup
Squeeze 3 lime slices
Squeeze 3 lemon slices
Splash of orange juice
Splash of soda water
2 cucumber slices
Muddle one slice of cucumber. Add ice and build cocktail in a mixing tin. Shake and transfer into a tall glass. Garnish with a cucumber and lime slice.
The Harbor Grill
34499 Golden Lantern, Dana Point :: 949.240.1416
Harbor Grill wanted to create a drink that would represent celebration, so bartenders came up with the Champagne Strawberry Cocktail ($11) as a permanent part of the menu.
Champagne Strawberry Cocktail
1 fresh strawberry
Splash of simple syrup
Splash of cranberry juice
1.5 oz of Stoli strawberry
Champagne
Garnish with a mint leaf
Muddle strawberry, simple syrup and cranberry juice in the glass and fill with ice. Add 1.5 oz of Stoli strawberry, shake, float with Champagne, and garnish with mint leaf.
Surf & Sand Resort
1555 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach :: 949.497.4477
Splashes Restaurant is celebrating the holidays with this festive drink ($10).
Whispers of the Frost
1 oz Jack Daniel’s
1 oz ruby port
1 oz Don Fino sherry
1/4 oz simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a chilled shaker and shake vigorously.
