When you’re swept up in the Holiday spirit, packages in hand, rosy glow on your cold-but-happy cheeks, one of the more joyous things to do is to meet with family and friends at a nice establishment to download the day’s events while sipping a cocktail.

OLD FASHIONED

Our first favorite wintry mixer is the aptly named Old Fashioned. Dating back to the 1880’s this cocktail offers a perfect balance of bourbon or rye, with sweet and bitter, and that hint of orange from the twist. If you like your drinks elemental and boozy, this should be your clear go-to.

The Perfect Old Fashioned
2 ounces overproof rye or bourbon
1/2 ounce simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange twist

Combine whiskey, simple syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir then strain into old fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Irish Coffee

If you prefer your whiskey extra warming, you cannot go wrong in Boston asking for an Irish Coffee. Warm and decadent, it is a divine mix of coffee, whiskey, sugar and whipped cream. We can’t find a fault in this combination at all.

Irish Coffee
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
3 ounces Irish whiskey
8 ounces coffee
3 ounces heavy cream

Place 4 teaspoons of the sugar, the whiskey, and coffee in a small saucepan and stir to combine over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk the remaining sugar with the cream until it thickens. Transfer the hot coffee mixture to two 8-ounce heatproof glasses or mugs, top with a heaping spoonful of the whipped cream, and serve immediately.

RP’s GUIDE TO BEST BOSTON COCKTAIL BARS

If you’re out and about in Boston and you want to leave the cocktail mixing to the experts, you might consider choosing one of our favorite Boston Cocktail Bars for your next get together. Enjoy!