Seasonal Sips

Holiday cheer is filling the air and our cups. From seasonal beers infused with nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices, to candy-cane martinis and festive lattes, there’s something for everyone — you just need to know where to find your fix.

Ray’s Place is the spot for unusual seasonal beers. Beside the typical brews, the bar is featuring Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas Ale, Breckenridge Christmas Ale and Troegs Mad Elf on tap.

Bar 145 has the Thirsty Dog and Great Lakes Christmas Ale on tap, but they feature Victory Winter Cheers and Fat Head Holly Jolly in bottles and have some seasonal drink creations.

Bartender Meghan Miller said the cocktail of the month at Bar 145 is the Cocktail Before Christmas, made with Amaretto, Captain Morgan and a coffee-almond syrup, rimmed with a thick bourbon sugar. The pumpkin martini is also on special, just in case you’re not ready to give up the fall favorite.

Panini’s and the Zephyr both offer Christmas Story drop-shots, so you can pair your Christmas ale with a shot of Frangelico, Bailey’s Irish Crème and Goldschläger.

The 157 Lounge is in the process of bringing out a holiday martini menu, which will include four or five different options, including a gingerbread and candy-cane martini. The menu will debut in the coming week.

If you’re looking for something a little edgier, Venice Café owner Mike Beder said the bar is featuring cocktails with Jim Beam Hardcore Cider.

Simply looking for a seasonal midday pick-me-up? Red holiday cups are back at Starbucks, meaning caramel brulée, peppermint mocha and eggnog lattes. The chain also amped up its Gingerbread Latte this year, adding a spiced whipped cream and a molasses drizzle, according to the Starbucks website.

Tree City Coffee & Pastry is featuring its holiday menu as well, with a candy-cane frappe and candied apple to accompany the peppermint, eggnog and gingerbread lattes.

If you don’t feel like venturing out into the cold to get your holiday-beverage fix, seasonal creations are easy to make on your own. Add some peppermint schnapps to your hot chocolate to make a Peppermint Kiss, according to The Bartender’s Black Book. Eggnog is a classic holiday choice, and you can spice it up with a dash of rum and nutmeg.

Supermarkets are stocked with a variety of Christmas ales. If simply cracking open a bottle isn’t satisfying enough, the Angry Orchard website suggests combining half an Angry Orchard Crisp Apple with a Sam Adams Winter Lager to create a Crisp Winter cocktail. The possibilities are endless.

Contact Kelsey Husnick at [email protected].