WRITTEN BY HAROLD DEAN, OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR.

During this time of year, it’s fun for our bartenders to get creative and make some unique drinks in celebration of the holiday season. The inspiration to create these festive drinks can come from anything at all – from a favorite holiday movie like “The Grinch” to a memorable childhood experience, such as roasting marshmallows over a bonfire.

The key to making the favorite holiday drink is experimenting with different flavor profiles, as well as different garnishes. Some of our best ideas for drinks have come from going down the candy isle and brainstorming how we can incorporate different types of candy – pop rocks, orange slices, mints, sweet tarts, and even blow pops – as garnishes to add that special touch to a drink.

Here are a few of our favorite holiday drink recipes, including a how-to video featuring Eddie making the Smores Martini. Any one of these drinks can be ordered at Golden Ocala, but you may like it so much you want to make it at home as well!

SMORES MARTINI
Ingredients:
-Three Olives Chocolate Vodka
-Vanilla Vodka
-Drambuie
-Creamer
-Chocolate and Graham Cracker crumbles on rim.

VERRY BERRY COSMO
Ingredients:
-Blueberry Vodka
-Chambord
-Triple Sec
-Cranberry Juice

CANDY CANE MARTINI
Ingredients:
-Berry Vodka
-Peppermint Schnapps
-White Crème De Cocoa
-Grenadine
-Creamer
-Crushed peppermint garnish on rim.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY SPARKLER
Ingredients:
-Three Olives Chocolate Vodka
-Raspberry Liqueur
-Fill the rest with soda water

THE GRINCH
Ingredients:
-Midora
-Simple syrup
-Half lemon (freshly squeezed)
-Cherry on bottom of martini glass

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY
Ingredients:
-Grenadine
-Kahlua
-Baileys
-Prepare in that order.

Make your spirit brighter this holiday season with any one of our special holiday drinks, created especially for our members to enjoy this season. You will love the exceptional flavor profiles of these festive drinks, and their unique presentations. Try one next time you dine at Golden Ocala!