Spencer Elliott is the head mixologist at Bounce Sporting Club in New York.
“I love this time of year just because of the flavors associated with it. I’ll use bigger flavors on the drink menu, like cinnamon, peppermint and apple, because they’re totally relatable to the holiday. I want people to think they’re at home drinking with their family on Christmas Eve.
On the other hand, those are really powerful flavors to work with, so I like to back them up with herbs like anise, cardamom and orange, because they complement and create a more rounded flavor profile.
I put a great drink on my menu to reflect that. The Apple of My Eye has powerful flavors like apple and cinnamon, backed with sparkling wine and lemon to balance it out. I’ve also been working on a terrific Old Fashioned for the holiday by combining mulling spices with raw organic sugar. The result is a delicious, spirit-forward cocktail that reminds me of Christmas—with the added benefit of whiskey!
Apple of My Eye
2 oz. Belvedere vodka
1 oz. Apple cider
½ oz. Cinnamon simple
¾ oz. Lemon tea
Prosecco float
Combine first four ingredients and shake. Pour over ice in a wine glass and top with prosecco. Garnish with a fan of apple slices on a pick.
Are you or is someone you know a bartender/mixologist with a great signature cocktail that they want to share? If so, submit the cocktail, mixologist photo and a few paragraphs of quotes about the cocktail to kswartz@epgmediallc.com.
