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16 spots for the most spirited seasonal drinks
It’s the holidays! Time to fire up those warm and cozy Instagram filters and pose with cocktails made with peppermint schnapps, gingerbread syrup or hot cocoa. This list could also come in handy for anyone facing shopping and family-related stress who wants to grab the nearest cinnamon stick and jab it into a glass filled with booze.
Here are 16 spots for very festive cocktails, just in time for Christmas and the holiday season.
Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
Miracle on Commerce is an outdoor holiday experience taking place downtown at The Adolphus. Don’t skip a photo with their beautiful tree in the lobby before heading to the Cocoa Lounge in the French Room bar for a Valrhona hot cocoa or spiked adult beverage, or up to the 7th floor pool deck for something naughtier like the Honey Bear Eggnog.
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The Henry, ahem, Saint Henry Winter Wonderland as it is now called, is serving up holiday cheer in a beautiful setting all season long. Feeling too nice? Consider the “Naughty List” Dirty Martini made with Belvedere vodka, black & blue olives and olive brine. The Fig & Ginger mule is made with Belvedere vodka, Figenza fig, pomegranate, lime and ginger beer.
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Slip into Trinity Groves where shuttered steakhouse The Hall is now Santa’s Hall: a Thursday-through-Sunday-only holiday pop-up bar with a charitable twist. Order up a Candy Stripetini with vanilla vodka, a Marie Brizard Chocolate topped with Peppermint and whipped cream, or The Grinch, a frozen green drink made with raspberry vodka, Midori and fluffy green candy floss made to mimic The Grinch’s signature coif. Each week, Santa’s Hall has chosen a different organization to support, including Genesis Women’s Shelter, Scottish Rite for Children and more, in order to help pay the holiday joy forward.
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When a bar like Trick Pony in Deep Ellum is famous for its themed pop-ups, the holidays are no time to pump the brakes. Until January 3, Bad Santa is the theme, and the cocktails are just as creative as one would imagine. Case in point? The Fake Beard Energy, featuring espresso liquor, mole bitters, pumpkin-spiced cream, and graham crackers, or the Drunk Mall Santa, with scotch, root beer bitters, and honey stout.
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Known for the classy festive vibes inside, Billy Can Can in Victory Park has brought out the chef’s boozy nog once again. The very jolly mixture is available on ice or frozen at the bar, or just order up a whole bottle to-go for $45.
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Sloane’s Corner‘s 12 Drinks of Christmas features all-new holiday-inspired cocktails, served through the new year. Cocktails are festive, yet classy, like the Chris-mint-tini, made with New Amsterdam Vodka, Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao, and the Elves’ Nightcap, made with Plantation Rum, Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane, house chocolate bitters and Angostura.
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Head to rainbow-themed bar Roy G’s in Oaklawn for some vibrant holiday spirits. Try the Milk ‘n’ Cookies, with Makers Mark, Rumchata and —of course— chocolate chip cookies, or The Enchanted Mistletoe, with Illegal Mezcal, Campari, Punt e Mes, house rosemary syrup, and a cranberry-infused ice cube. Bring your own uncle to try the Drunk Uncle: a concoction made from Makers Mark, Remy 1738, Rumchata, allspice dram, house ginger syrup, shaved chocolate, and egg white.
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One of the most Instagram-worthy cocktail spots on this list year, Leela’s is kicking the holidays into high gear with glistening decor and festive drinks to match. The Orna-Mint, for example, is served in an actual ornament inside a coupe glass, with strawberry-hibiscus gin, lemongrass syrup, lemon, mint, and Topo Chico.
A post shared by Leela’s Wine Bar (@leelaswinebar)
Get lit from floor to ceiling during the Miracle pop-up at Royal 38. Drinks like the Jolly Koala featuring bourbon, cacao nib apéritif, dry vermouth, mulled wine, and mole bitters join Nice and Naughty shots of gingerbread spiced rye or spiced bourbon, respectively. Of course, each beverage is served in the most instagrammable mug, like a dinosaur, Santa’s pants, or a tiny stocking shot glass.
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Leave it to the folks at Thunderbird Station to combine nostalgia and holiday imbibing in the best way possible. Consider the Muddy Buddy Boozy Hot Chocolate, perfect with Holiday Rum Cakes that are delightfully reminiscent of Little Debbie snack cakes. Other drinks include the Hot Cran-Shaft featuring winter spice-infused Hendrick’s gin and chai seasonings, and the Old Fashioned Sleigh Ride with Fistful of Bourbon and holiday spices topped with a clove-studded orange slice.
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It’s Fiesta de Navidad right now at Las Almas Rotas in Fair Park, where festive libations like Arrozito (featuring Charanda, half and half, pineapple and cinnamon), and Holyroot (with Tabernas, Green Chartruse Holyday syrup and cardamom) help folks wash down the restaurant and bar’s delicious tacos.
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The Tipsy Elf himself made his way to the Bishop Arts District and the Mermaid Bar where revelers can grab a Blame It On The Mistletoe, Christmas Hero or Not So Silent Night cocktail while participating in festive holiday events like ugly sweater competitions, Ms. Claus drag bingo and more.
A post shared by Julie Mayo (@julie_mayo17)
The bartenders at Âme in Bishop Arts are serving major romantic holiday vibes these days. Pouring eggnog and elegant espresso martinis, alongside classic and winter beverages that make for the ideal holiday nightcap.
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Hotel Vin just outside town in Grapevine offers several ways to get into the spirit, including an appearance from Carl The Snowman (created by local shop Kate Weiser Chocolate), which when ordered at Bacchus Kitchen + Bar can be melted into a delicious pot of cocoa and spiked with Bailey’s or Kahlua. Inside Harvest Hall, the Third Rail bar has concocted some holiday sips too, including The Sugar Cookie, made with Bailey’s, Vanilla Vodka and Disaronno, and a Jack Frost, featuring Hendrick’s gin, lemon juice, strawberry agave, and egg white with candied rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Whether you’re staying the night, stopping by or having brunch, head to Ellie’s Restaurant and Bar at the HALL Arts Hotel for a HALL Haute Chocolate, spiked with with crème de menthe, Godiva liqueur, rich hot chocolate, peppermint whipped cream, shaved chocolate and fresh grated nutmeg, or a Gingerbread Bellini with Appleton Estate Dark Rum, lemon, fresh ginger and sparkling wine.
Visit Christmas in the tropics at this pop-up located inside the Chicago-themed Ropo & Logan (formerly HIDE Bar) in Deep Ellum. Running through December 31 and open Mondays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Sippin’ Santa features tiki-style holiday drinks like The Regifter, with aged rum, caramelized pineapple and cherry liqueur, or Kris Kringle Colada with dark rum, amaro, allspice liqueur, pineapple, and creme de coconut.
A post shared by Sippin’ Santa Dallas 2021 (@sippinsantadallas)
Miracle on Commerce is an outdoor holiday experience taking place downtown at The Adolphus. Don’t skip a photo with their beautiful tree in the lobby before heading to the Cocoa Lounge in the French Room bar for a Valrhona hot cocoa or spiked adult beverage, or up to the 7th floor pool deck for something naughtier like the Honey Bear Eggnog.
The Henry, ahem, Saint Henry Winter Wonderland as it is now called, is serving up holiday cheer in a beautiful setting all season long. Feeling too nice? Consider the “Naughty List” Dirty Martini made with Belvedere vodka, black & blue olives and olive brine. The Fig & Ginger mule is made with Belvedere vodka, Figenza fig, pomegranate, lime and ginger beer.
Slip into Trinity Groves where shuttered steakhouse The Hall is now Santa’s Hall: a Thursday-through-Sunday-only holiday pop-up bar with a charitable twist. Order up a Candy Stripetini with vanilla vodka, a Marie Brizard Chocolate topped with Peppermint and whipped cream, or The Grinch, a frozen green drink made with raspberry vodka, Midori and fluffy green candy floss made to mimic The Grinch’s signature coif. Each week, Santa’s Hall has chosen a different organization to support, including Genesis Women’s Shelter, Scottish Rite for Children and more, in order to help pay the holiday joy forward.
When a bar like Trick Pony in Deep Ellum is famous for its themed pop-ups, the holidays are no time to pump the brakes. Until January 3, Bad Santa is the theme, and the cocktails are just as creative as one would imagine. Case in point? The Fake Beard Energy, featuring espresso liquor, mole bitters, pumpkin-spiced cream, and graham crackers, or the Drunk Mall Santa, with scotch, root beer bitters, and honey stout.
Known for the classy festive vibes inside, Billy Can Can in Victory Park has brought out the chef’s boozy nog once again. The very jolly mixture is available on ice or frozen at the bar, or just order up a whole bottle to-go for $45.
Sloane’s Corner‘s 12 Drinks of Christmas features all-new holiday-inspired cocktails, served through the new year. Cocktails are festive, yet classy, like the Chris-mint-tini, made with New Amsterdam Vodka, Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao, and the Elves’ Nightcap, made with Plantation Rum, Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane, house chocolate bitters and Angostura.
Head to rainbow-themed bar Roy G’s in Oaklawn for some vibrant holiday spirits. Try the Milk ‘n’ Cookies, with Makers Mark, Rumchata and —of course— chocolate chip cookies, or The Enchanted Mistletoe, with Illegal Mezcal, Campari, Punt e Mes, house rosemary syrup, and a cranberry-infused ice cube. Bring your own uncle to try the Drunk Uncle: a concoction made from Makers Mark, Remy 1738, Rumchata, allspice dram, house ginger syrup, shaved chocolate, and egg white.
One of the most Instagram-worthy cocktail spots on this list year, Leela’s is kicking the holidays into high gear with glistening decor and festive drinks to match. The Orna-Mint, for example, is served in an actual ornament inside a coupe glass, with strawberry-hibiscus gin, lemongrass syrup, lemon, mint, and Topo Chico.
Get lit from floor to ceiling during the Miracle pop-up at Royal 38. Drinks like the Jolly Koala featuring bourbon, cacao nib apéritif, dry vermouth, mulled wine, and mole bitters join Nice and Naughty shots of gingerbread spiced rye or spiced bourbon, respectively. Of course, each beverage is served in the most instagrammable mug, like a dinosaur, Santa’s pants, or a tiny stocking shot glass.
Leave it to the folks at Thunderbird Station to combine nostalgia and holiday imbibing in the best way possible. Consider the Muddy Buddy Boozy Hot Chocolate, perfect with Holiday Rum Cakes that are delightfully reminiscent of Little Debbie snack cakes. Other drinks include the Hot Cran-Shaft featuring winter spice-infused Hendrick’s gin and chai seasonings, and the Old Fashioned Sleigh Ride with Fistful of Bourbon and holiday spices topped with a clove-studded orange slice.
It’s Fiesta de Navidad right now at Las Almas Rotas in Fair Park, where festive libations like Arrozito (featuring Charanda, half and half, pineapple and cinnamon), and Holyroot (with Tabernas, Green Chartruse Holyday syrup and cardamom) help folks wash down the restaurant and bar’s delicious tacos.
The Tipsy Elf himself made his way to the Bishop Arts District and the Mermaid Bar where revelers can grab a Blame It On The Mistletoe, Christmas Hero or Not So Silent Night cocktail while participating in festive holiday events like ugly sweater competitions, Ms. Claus drag bingo and more.
The bartenders at Âme in Bishop Arts are serving major romantic holiday vibes these days. Pouring eggnog and elegant espresso martinis, alongside classic and winter beverages that make for the ideal holiday nightcap.
Hotel Vin just outside town in Grapevine offers several ways to get into the spirit, including an appearance from Carl The Snowman (created by local shop Kate Weiser Chocolate), which when ordered at Bacchus Kitchen + Bar can be melted into a delicious pot of cocoa and spiked with Bailey’s or Kahlua. Inside Harvest Hall, the Third Rail bar has concocted some holiday sips too, including The Sugar Cookie, made with Bailey’s, Vanilla Vodka and Disaronno, and a Jack Frost, featuring Hendrick’s gin, lemon juice, strawberry agave, and egg white with candied rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Whether you’re staying the night, stopping by or having brunch, head to Ellie’s Restaurant and Bar at the HALL Arts Hotel for a HALL Haute Chocolate, spiked with with crème de menthe, Godiva liqueur, rich hot chocolate, peppermint whipped cream, shaved chocolate and fresh grated nutmeg, or a Gingerbread Bellini with Appleton Estate Dark Rum, lemon, fresh ginger and sparkling wine.
Visit Christmas in the tropics at this pop-up located inside the Chicago-themed Ropo & Logan (formerly HIDE Bar) in Deep Ellum. Running through December 31 and open Mondays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Sippin’ Santa features tiki-style holiday drinks like The Regifter, with aged rum, caramelized pineapple and cherry liqueur, or Kris Kringle Colada with dark rum, amaro, allspice liqueur, pineapple, and creme de coconut.
