The Best Holiday Cocktails We’re Drinking in Philly Right Now
The season just got a whole lot brighter thanks to these festive spirits.
The Bramble is one of Enswell’s new holiday-season cocktails. / Photograph courtesy of Enswell
We already told you all about holiday-themed pop-up bars, but some nights your winter vibe is less “glittery Instagram palace” and more “drinking brown liquor to warm your cold heart.” Less ugly sweater and more velvet blazer. Less Mariah and more Guaraldi. You get the idea.
Well you’re in luck, because Philly’s bars and restaurants are unveiling a spirited array of winter- and holiday-inspired concoctions that go beyond the traditional eggnogs and spiced ciders. Here are our favorite for the season.
The Bramble at Enswell
Made with agave spirit, blackberry liqueur, rosemary, ginger, and a cardamom rinse, this Rittenhouse cocktail spot is offering a wintery take on the warm-weather staple. And, while this one isn’t new to their menu, an honorable mention goes to their Haymaker, made with bourbon and Rival Bros. espresso. Even better, all of Enswell’s cocktails are made with local spirits from New Liberty Distillery. 1528 Spruce Street.
W Philadelphia’s Living Room bar has a festive list of holiday cocktails, including this pizzelle-topped Manhattan. / Photograph by Adrian Garcia courtesy of W Philadelphia
A Manhattan for St. Nick at W Philadelphia
Once again the W Philadelphia’s Living Room bar has added a festive cocktail list for the season. There’s a pink Mistletoe Cosmopolitan and an Earl Grey-infused bourbon cocktail called the Naughty & Spice. (It’s got candied ginger on top.) But their holiday-inspired Manhattan (made with absinthe rinse and two kinds of bitters) is topped with a pizzelle cookie — who doesn’t like a little something extra? 1439 Chestnut Street.
The Hot Dirty Pirate at Char & Stave
This all-day cafe by Bluebird Distilling has not just one cozy drink, but an entire menu of warm cocktails. We’re talking multiple iterations of the hot toddy, made with various teas. But the award for best name (and tastiest drink) goes to the Hot Dirty Pirate, a dirty-chai oat-milk latte made with espresso, whiskey caramel, and spiked with dark rum. 8441 Germantown Avenue.
Mulled wine at Butcher Bar / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Mulled Wine at Butcher Bar
Okay, this one is cheating a little because we did include Butcher Bar’s holiday Yule Lodge on our pop-ups list. And, besides, what makes this mulled wine different from any other mulled wine? Well, the recipe for this one was passed down from chef John Strain’s grandfather, so it’s made with a little bit of love. Also, brandy, citrus, spices and vanilla bean. 2034 Chestnut Street.
First Fires at a.bar
It’s the smoked cinnamon and mole bitters that really make this rum-based cocktail sing. A little sherry and crème de cacao in there don’t hurt, either. 1737 Walnut Street.
A holiday-season coffee cocktail at a.kitchen / Photograph courtesy of High Street Hospitality
Fireable Offense at a.kitchen
That’s right, there are two different slates of seasonal cocktails depending on which adventure you choose between a.bar and a.kitchen. Through door number two, you can get the coffee-based Fireable Offense — the coffee is cold, but the rye, vermouth and cognac will warm you up. 135 South 18th Street.
The Snow Globe holiday cocktail at Red Owl Tavern / Photograph by Christopher Devern
Snow Globe at Red Owl Tavern
Lead bartender Christopher Devern crafted a gorgeous blue cocktail with peaflower and blue glitter-infused Tres Generaciones Tequila, plus Licor 43, lime juice, falernum and orgeat. 433 Chestnut Street.
Coquito at Bolo
A traditional Puerto Rican Christmas staple, Bolo’s is comprised of rum, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, house-made winter spiced coconut cream, and grated nutmeg. They also offer a non-alcoholic version. Good to know: Bolo’s special Christmas Eve takeout Noche Buena Dinner includes a bottle of their Coquito base (add your own rum at home). 2025 Sansom Street.
Santa’s Nightcap at Bank & Bourbon
For the holidays, Bank & Bourbon at Loews Philadelphia Hotel debuted their Sweet Sips menu, featuring twists on holiday libations including some coffee-based drinks and the very crimson Santa’s Nightcap. What does Santa drink before bed, you ask? According to B&B, it’s bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth and mole bitters. And to all a goodnight. 1200 Market Street.
Photograph courtesy of Bank & Bourbon
Spruce Negroni at R&D
A holiday take on the delightfully bitter cocktail, R&D’s version is made with gin, dry vermouth, red aperitivo, Amaro Pasubio, and gentian. Looking for something slightly sweeter? Go for their Gingerbread Old Fashioned. 1206 Frankford Avenue.
Tinsel Tini at Blondie
Much like Blondie’s vibe, this one is pure confection. Amaretto, Baileys and crème de cacao are topped with sprinkles. That’s it, that’s the drink. 4417 Main Street.
