Holiday Drink Recipes

Feeling stressed about finding the perfect holiday gift for your bestie who has everything? Exhausted from listening to Uncle Joe talk about NASCAR? This cocktail is bold and no-nonsense, designed for those “too much” holiday moments. Smoky mezcal gives this Old Fashioned a strong, spirited kick, complemented by warming spices. Inspired by a comforting classic, Mexican Hot Chocolate, from Central America, this drink traces its roots to the Mayan and Aztec cultures, who called it “chocolhaa” and “xocolatl,” respectively. So stir, sit back, and let the stress melt away!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

2 oz mezcal (e.g., Rosaluna)
6 dashes chocolate bitters
½ oz cinnamon chili syrup

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a decanter with ice. Stir 20 times to dilute the drink. Strain and serve over a large ice cube or whiskey stone.

Cinnamon Chili Syrup

Ingredients:

1 dried ancho chili pepper (seeds and stem removed)
3 cinnamon sticks
2 cups water
2 cups sugar

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients (except sugar) in a pot and bring to a soft boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer to remove solids. While still warm, add an equal amount of sugar and stir until dissolved. Store in an airtight container for up to one month. •

Illustration by Olivia Lunger