pictured: Hoochnoggin
Put down the eggnog and step away from the mistletoe: Area bars and restaurants are redefining holiday cocktails. With options ranging from fruity, colorful concoctions to warm chocolatey liquids in mugs, you'll never again have to choke down too-sweet milky drinks with raw eggs (though a few takes on nog even make our list). Now, if only we could get rid of that fruitcake...
200 East Supper Club
If you need to rest your feet after blowing your holiday bonus at Gold Coast shops, stop by this lounge in the Seneca hotel for a nightcap. Choose from drinks like Santa's Little Helper or the Snowflake Martini, with peppermint schnapps, Bailey's and Snow Queen Vodka, festively presented in a martini glass rimmed with shredded coconut (aka "snowflakes") and garnished with a candy cane stirrer. At $9, the drink's price tag won't do too much more damage to your already-strapped wallet.
aria bar
The folks at Cointreau must love this time of the year, as it seems the high-end triple sec pops up again and again in holiday cocktails. Aria's Mistletoe ($12) concoction pairs the orange-flavored liqueur with Absolut vodka and pomegranate and orange juices. The fruity blend comes finished with a garnish we've never seen before with a drink: fresh rosemary! Yep, no longer is the herb's lone purpose to flavor the potatoes accompanying your Christmas roast. Its earthy scent pairs beautifully with the freshly squeezed juices.
Grafton Pub & Grill
When the weather outside is frightful, head to the Grafton for its version of an Irish Coffee. For The Grafton Special, the bartender pours shots of Frangelico, Bailey's Irish Cream and Irish whiskey into the bottom of a wine glass, then finishes it off with steaming strong coffee, brown sugar and enough whipped cream to top a dozen sundaes. Frangelico's distinct hazelnut fragrance and Bailey's milky almond flavor add richness and depth, while the sugary liqueurs make for a sweet concoction. It'll warm you up even faster than taking a seat next to the pub's roaring fireplace.
J Bar
Seasonal drinks are the name of the game year round at J Bar, but the lounge inside the James Hotel goes all out for the holidays. Choose from either the J Sicle, a citrusy blend of Grey Goose Le-Orange, Amaretto, Patron Citronage, half and half, orange juice and a touch of simple syrup, or the Coffee N Cream, a simple, satisfyingly sweet blend of Bailey's Irish Cream, Absolut Vanilla and Patron XO Cafe (a coffee-infused tequila). Each one costs $12, much less than a dry-aged Black Angus steak at JBar's sister restaurant, David Burke's Primehouse.
Iggy's3
Iggy's Martini Madness Monday is like the Christmas gift that keeps on giving, with half-priced martinis every Monday all year long. But, during this season, it really lays on the cheer by offering drinks like The Holiday, The Almond Joy and Nuts 'N' Berries. We're particularly jazzed about The Almond Joy, which pairs Stoli with Godiva liqueur and amaretto in a glass rimmed with coconut. It costs $12 ($6 on Mondays), and if it doesn't sound like a drink you'd like to add to your wish list, have no fear: Iggy's menu packs in 66 different concoctions.
pictured: Ginger Snap Martini
At this "playground for adults," grownups can sip their way into the season with festive libations like the Sugar Plum Martini, a mix of Pearl Plum vodka, Goldschlager (a cinnamon-flavored schnapps) and plum juice with a rock candy stick to top it off. Swore off schnapps-based drinks back in college? Opt instead for Martini Park's Ginger Snap Martini, a rich, creamy blend of vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Monin gingerbread syrup, a splash of cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Both cost $12, and should be taken with some salty finger food, like mac 'n' cheese sticks and avocado spring rolls, to balance out their sweetness.
Moody's Pub
Moody's wins over sun-seeking folks in the summertime with its sizable patio, but it's just as inviting come the first snowfall, with two cozy fireplaces and a drink list stocked with toasty tipples. The Fireside Fantasies menu offers a bevy of $4 drinks that'll warm up your hands faster than a pair of wool mittens. Choose from interesting takes on classics like the Banana Mocha—creme de banana and hot chocolate—or keep it simple with Moody Mint, a good ol' peppermint schnapps and hot cocoa.
Motel Bar
The Motel Bar perfectly channels a cool 1940s vibe, with its sleek banquettes and classic Sinatra-esque libations. It'll calm you down on those days when you can't step foot in one more shop, particularly if you order up its "bah humbug" cocktail, Scrooge's Eggnog ($6). A little eggnog and a whole lot of Bacardi rum, garnished with a cinnamon stick, the drink will bring you more cheer than a whole army of merry carolers. Pair it with a Heat Mizer shot ($3), cinnamon schnapps with hot tamales in the bottom, and you're sure to be saying "God bless us, every one!" in no time.
Paddy Long's
Beer drinkers can get in the holiday spirit by visiting this relatively new, authentic Irish tap for a Delirium Noel. At $8, the copper-color brew starts with a thick, frothy head that fades fast, but its bubbles lend a slight effervescent quality throughout. Be warned: A medley of sweet and spicy flavors, including pepper, berries, licorice and vanilla, masks the ale's high alcohol quotient (10 percent), which could leave you hungover till New Year's. Its smooth finish and mild hops will deceive you further. You won't make a list and check it twice before ordering another.
Plan B Bar and Kitchen
The bartenders at Plan B whip up a whole slew of quirky, inspired drinks year-round, so it's no surprise they took the holiday theme and ran away with it. You get your pick of four festive drinks: Winter White Martini, Candy Cane Martini, Mint Chocolate Winter Blend and French Quarter Coffee. The martinis cost $9, while the cocktails are $8. It’s hard to take sides, but the minty drink particularly gets our attention, with its blend of Bailey’s, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Rumplemintz and strong black coffee, all topped with whipped cream and an Andes mint.
Pops for Champagne
With more than 125 bottles of champagne and sparkling wine on offer, Pops for Champagne should consider changing its name to Pops for Celebrating. You just can't feel any more jolly than when you're holding a flute of rose while listening to soothing jazz at the bar's basement-level music club. Still, in case you weren't convinced that the holidays warrant a trip to Pops, it devised the Pear Noel, with pear liqueur, Amarula Cream (a sweet liqueur reminiscent of butterscotch), peppermint and cinnamon. The drink tastes sugary, a tinge fruity and a whole lot tasty. It costs $11 and should be relished like a dessert. Its flavor notes would likely overpower the restaurant's small plates.
Prost!
If Santa had a drinking problem, he'd over indulge in Prost!'s Hoochnoggin. Can't you just picture Old St. Nick slamming back mug after mug of rye whiskey, mixed with a raw egg, chocolate syrup, a teaspoon of vanilla, condensed milk and a whole cup of heavy cream (what's that about his belly shaking like a bowl full of jelly?). The rich, high-calorie concoction comes blended and served in a frothy glass mug, all for $7. Consider switching out the stale cookies you usually leave Mr. Clause for a glass of the stuff, and you'll definitely secure a spot on his "nice" list.
Rednofive
Your lady friend will freak if you buy her an appliance like last year, so why not give her a holiday gift she can swallow…literally. This swanky club is selling a Champagne Bouquet for the season. It includes a trio of champagne—with splits of Moet and Chandon's Imperial Rose, Nectar Imperial and White Star—and flutes shaped like flower petals. It's a splurge at $75, but consider this: It's a gift she definitely can't take back. Plus, she's likely to invite that special someone along to share the bubbly with, and it looks so pretty, you won't even have to wrap it.
Scoozi!
Why wait until New Year's to break out the bubbly? Champagne cocktails instantly perk up any celebration, and this friendly Italian spot dressed up the classic bellini just in time for the holidays. Try the Blue Sparkle Bellini, with orange-flavored Cointreau, Blue Curacao (a super-sweet liqueur) and Prosecco; the citrusy mix will set you back $9.95, or you could go with the standard peach variety for just $8.95. Either way, you're sure to feel elegant as you raise a flute and toast "happy holidays."
Silver Cloud
Silver Cloud never disappoints when it comes to offering the right drinks at the right times. In the summer, it's all about icy libations, but now the Bucktown restaurant offers a Winter Warmers menu of toasty tipples. Sure, you can go with a holiday classic like Hot Buttered Rum, but adventurous boozers will reap big rewards if they opt instead for the Hot Berry Cocoa ($6.50), raspberry liqueur, Irish cream and hot cocoa. Or, better yet, go for the Choco-Orange Frostbite Martini ($7.50), a mix of Godiva Dark liqueur, orange-flavored vodka, fresh orange juice and Hershey's syrup in a martini glass trimmed with powdered sugar. We know it's not served hot, but it'll warm your belly in an instant.
Simon's Tavern
Every year on Thanksgiving Eve, bargoers pack this old-school spot to get their hands on the season's first batch of glogg, a mix of brandy and port wine with an orange peel and a cinnamon stick adding a spicy flavor. The traditionally Scandinavian libation is served warm in a small glass mug; the bartender drops in a few golden raisins, some slivered almonds and gives you a napkin topped with crisp gingerbread biscuits for snacking. Simon's is one of the only spots in the city, outside of Daley Plaza's Christkindlmarket, where you can score the mulled wine. Luckily, the bar doesn't take advantage of its scarcity, and still only charges $4 a glass, so you can afford to keep 'em coming until you're ready to brave the cold.
SushiSamba Rio
Like it does with its fusion food, SushiSamba's drink menu has taken something classic, eggnog, and given it a whole lot of flair. The Holiday Sambatini ($11) blends Marini vodka, which is distilled with honey so it's a touch sweet; Cardenal Mendoza brandy, Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur with notes of citrus and vanilla; an ounce-and-a-half of whole milk, one egg white, a spoonful of sugar and cinnamon. The mix is shaken over ice and served in a wine glass sprinkled with cinnamon. This rich, highly spiked concoction sure beats the heck out of the traditional swill served at holiday parties.
Underground
The sleek club with a bomb shelter motif cools things down for the holidays. Mixologist Ben Newby is known for his inventive libations, like the seasonal Secret Snowball. A blend of Godiva Original Liqueur, an ounce of cream, Coco Lopez coconut milk and Newby's own marshmallow-infused vodka, this cocktail comes shaken, poured into a martini glass and sprinkled with dark chocolate and grated coconut. Be warned: The drink will set you $12, and you'll want to buy enough to stock an entire fort!
Vong's Thai Kitchen
There's nothing even remotely holiday-esque about VTK's The Misteltoe cocktail ($7.25) other than its name, but it sure sounds delicious and refreshing, so we won't judge. It blends frozen strawberries, Thai basil, gin and homemade lemongrass-vanilla lemonade. The right mix of colors are there—the rich red berries and bright green, earthy basil—but one sip, and you won't be dreaming of a white Christmas. Indeed, you'll likely want to hightail it to Miami and trim a palm tree with twinkling lights. Save it for those days when you've spent too many hours roasting chestnuts by the open fire. (Sorry, we couldn't resist one last pun.)
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