Holidays in the South: 33 Must-Try Cocktails

SON OF A NUTCRACKER

An Elf-inspired creation from the holiday menu at Alabama’s Session Cocktails.

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MULLED WINE SYLLABUBS

A Virginia entertaining guru reimagines an old English classic sipper that tastes like “Christmas in a glass.” 

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CHRIS HANNAH’S YULE THYME SLING AND HARVEST STINGER

Two holiday cocktails—one sweet, one sour—from a lauded New Orleans mixologist.

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THE CLAUSMOPOLITAN: A COSMO WITH A FESTIVE UPGRADE

An unexpected holiday ingredient elevates this sweet-and-tart spin on a classic cranberry cocktail.

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A GRINCH-INSPIRED COCKTAIL MORE NICE THAN NAUGHTY

The playful Help Me…I’m Feeling is brimming with nostalgic Christmas spirit.

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UNION JACK ROSE

Gin and apple brandy hit it off in this warming New Orleans spirit.

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JUNGLE WITCH: WINTER IN THE TROPICS

A summery holiday is just a sip away.

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QUOIT CLUB PUNCH

This blend of brandy, rum, and Madeira really packs a wallop.

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BREAKFAST AT GEORGE’S

Morning, meet happy hour in this espresso and bourbon drink.

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HOLIDAY WHISKEY PUNCH

The big-batch solution to making crowd-pleasing cocktails.

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HOLIDAY MILK PUNCH

A New Orleans mainstay, milk punch is the South’s answer to eggnog.

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SATSUMA PUNCH

One bowl, three centuries of New Orleans tradition.

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CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

Bubbly enlivens a refreshing post-prohibition mix.

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KNOCKOUT BOURBON PUNCH

The potent punch recipe from our October/November 2014 cover.

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PINEAPPLE MEZCAL COCKTAIL

Set the punch bowl aside and serve up your very own cask-aged cocktails.

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HOT TODDY: HONEY BUNNY

Smooth and embracing, a good toddy is hard to resist.

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A JAZZED-UP HOT TODDY

The Listening Room in Nashville has a drink to warm up Music City.

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HOT APPLE TODDY

The cozy cure-all cocktail gets an apple twist.

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MULLED WINE

This easy-to-make, hot drink will bring the festive spirit right into your kitchen.

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BAYOU HORCHATA

A bayou-inspired wintry cocktail to snuggle up to.

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BOURBON-SPIKED SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE

A sweet recipe to combat the cold, wintry nights.

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AN ALL-ARKANSAS COFFEE COCKTAIL

Rock Town Distillery lets the Natural State shine in this winter pick-me-up.

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JOY WAGON: A SPARKLING HOLIDAY COCKTAIL

A delightful alternative to a traditional flute of bubbly.

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THE CHRISTMAS VACATION

From the Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta, a holiday sipper that tastes like a tropical getaway. 

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NANTUCKET SLEIGH RIDE

Spices of the season, apricot brandy, rum, and citrus make this wintry grog a holiday on ice.

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CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS

Looking for something to take the edge off the in-laws’ impending visit? This concoction from T. Cole Newton of Twelve Mile Limit should do the trick.

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SIR ISAAC NEWTON

A perfect cold weather cocktail from Jeremy Wingle of Poole’s Downtown Diner in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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A CAJUN-SPIKED SPIN ON CHRISTMAS EGGNOG

Lafayette native and former One Flew South bartender Tiffanie Barriere shares her eggnog recipe that captures the spirit of the holidays in Louisiana with one sip.

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EUDORA WELTY’S CHRISTMAS EGGNOG

A family eggnog recipe from Mississippi’s first lady of letters, Eudora Welty.

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ISLAND EGGNOG

Rum and coconut come together in a Puerto Rican coquito.

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THE COMMANDER’S PALACE BLOODY MARY

No gathering is complete without a Bloody Mary—so why not make it a good one?

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A SMOKIN’ GOOD BLOODY MARY

Because you can’t have too much of a good thing, here’s another Bloody Mary recipe from Atlanta bartender Nate Shuman that’s a step above your typical morning-after libation.

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BLOODY GOOD HOLIDAY PUNCH

A Bloody Bull is an even richer spin on a Bloody Mary. Make it batch-style, like one G&G writer’s family, and prepare to bowl over your party guests.

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