Holiday cocktails to keep you festive

The weather is cooling off and those glasses of eggnog and hot cider just aren’t doing the trick anymore. These seasonal sippers will bring the joy back into your glass.


Experience “Christmas in Tokyo” ($8) at hip RA Sushi during December then bring the experience home using the upbeat Midtown sushi bar’s recipe below. Exotic fruit and a hint of ginger take this classic champagne cocktail eastward to Asia. For home party mixing, start with a martini shaker and ice, then combine:

1 oz. TY KU Soju
½ oz. Pama pomegranate liqueur
½ oz. simple syrup
¼ oz. ELIXIR G ginger mix
¼ oz. Soho lychee liqueur
Squeeze of lemon

In a glass, top mixture with Mionetto Prosecco sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist. That’s right, not an Oliver Twist. A lemon twist. (RA Sushi: 1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.)

For an adult version of gingerbread in a glass, Marlow’s Tavern™ mixes up a jovial Holiday Spice martini ($8):

2 oz. Absolut Vanilia
1 oz. Voyant chai cream liqueur

Shake over ice, pour into a martini glass and garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. (Marlow’s Tavern locations include Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.)

Pacci Ristorante imports a tad of minty fresh goodness into its Winter Smash ($12) that combines Bulleit bourbon, port, mint, maple syrup and Angostura bitters. When you’re already chilled, thaw out with Pacci’s Winter Nights cocktail ($12) that blends Hennessey Cognac VS, Fonseca Bin 27 port, Angostura bitters and maple syrup and serves it up with a little hot water for warmth. (866 West Peachtree Street, NW; 678-412-2402.)