The year is coming to an end, and that means the holiday season is here. No matter what or when you celebrate, one of the best parts of the holidays is enjoying seasonal cocktails. They’re great for serving at festive gatherings, setting the mood at home, or just sipping on the weekend after a busy day of hustle and bustle.
There are many great whiskey cocktails, but many are complicated to make. This is a busy time of year, so you might not want to spend 20 minutes making yourself a drink. You may not want to purchase and store a lot of different ingredients either. The good news is you don’t have to.
Here are some simple whiskey cocktails to fill your holiday season with cheer.
Coconut Whiskey Chai Latte
This is a warm hug in a cup. It’s not what you may typically think of when you think of simple whiskey cocktails, but it’s definitely great for this time of year. If you’re the kind of person who loves snuggling up on the couch with a movie, festive album or hosting a small group of friends this time of year, then this is the perfect drink for you.
The combination of the comforting and warming chai spices—cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves—along with the sweet taste of coconut make this cocktail the perfect choice for a cozy winter drink. Best of all, since you can make it with bagged chai tea, you won’t need to measure and add the various spices individually.
Making it is simple!
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tea bag of chai tea
- 1 to 2 ounces Watertown Whiskey
Heat the coconut milk in the microwave, place the tea bag in, and steep for five to eight minutes. Discard the tea bag. Add the whiskey to a mug and fill it with two-thirds of the heated coconut milk. Froth the remaining milk until there is a nice layer of foam. Pour it into the mug, allowing the foam to sit on top. Enjoy!
Watertown Manhattan
A truly classic holiday cocktail, the Manhattan is a timeless drink that feels like it has been around forever. The traditional nostalgia attached to it can make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. This year, why not mix things up a bit? One of the best things about Manhattan is there are so many different variations. The Watertown Manhattan is the perfect blend of old and new. It’s also a very simple drink that you can whip up without much preparation.
- 2 parts Watertown Whiskey
- 2 parts sweet red vermouth
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish with a brandied cherry
Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish as desired. This is great for parties, a night at home, or basically any occasion.
White Coconut Christmas
Sometimes you want something that not only tastes great, but also looks and feels like the holiday season. Whether or not it snows where you live, you can enjoy a white Christmas with this festive drink. It’s perfect for just about any occasion and is sure to be a hit.
- ½ cup coconut milk, unsweetened
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1½ ounces Watertown Whiskey
- 6 sprigs fresh mint
- Sparkling wine or sparkling water
- Pomegranate seeds and fresh mint to garnish
Muddle the mint, whiskey, orange liquor, and juice in a shaker. Pour into a glass over ice. Add the coconut milk and white wine or water. Garnish with pomegranate seeds or mint. Not only does it taste great, but its perfectly festive appearance will have your friends and family raving.
Whiskey Colada
The cocktails you drink this holiday season don’t always have to take you to a cozy place or a winter night in a log cabin. There’s something absolutely thrilling about having a tropical drink during the darkest and coldest nights of the year. If you want to be whisked away to a warm, sunny summer destination without leaving your home, a whiskey colada is the perfect choice.
- 2 ounces Watertown Whiskey
- 2 ounces coconut water
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- A squeeze of lemon or lime
Combine the ingredients into a shaker and add cubed ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass. That’s it!
You’ll feel like you’ve taken a vacation to an exotic island. Embrace the feeling. It won’t be long until the sun is shining bright again, but you can fast forward through the winter and experience it right now with this simple whiskey cocktail.
To start the holidays off right, grab a bottle of Watertown Whiskey and start trying these simple cocktails. You’ll love the unique flavor and tropical spin on an American whiskey. For more coconut whiskey creations, visit the Watertown Whiskey Recipe page and start mixing away!
