The holidays provide opportunities for entertaining guests at home as well as celebratory dinners out. If you’re in the mood to include some adult libations in your celebrations, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re mixing up fun cocktails to accompany your home holiday buffet or heading out on the town for dinner and drinks with friends, bartenders at these Plymouth restaurants shared their favorite festive inspirations.
Jake’s City Grille | 3005 Harbor Ln N.; 763.559.1595; jakescitygrille.com
Jake’s winter warmer drink menu helps set the holiday mood and ensures you’ll look classy even if you’re sipping while wearing an ugly holiday sweater.
Try their Autumn Harvest, a simmering cup of hot cocoa with Bailey’s, Frangelico and Chambord—a combination that adds the creamy tastes of hazelnut and black raspberry to your chocolaty treat. It would make a wonderful after-dinner drink or dessert substitute.
Warm up with Jake’s Spiced Cider made of warm apple cider, orange-flavored Grand Marnier brandy and Goldschlagger Swiss cinnamon schnapps. Try making these at home to refresh your guests after a day of skiing, skating or snowshoeing.
Bartender Eric Zoske says he gets many requests for his delicious Andes Mint Shot this time of year. He mixes it up with Rumplemintz German peppermint schnapps, green Crème de Menthe, real cream and a splash of Kahlua. It’s the perfect sweet shot for toasting with friends.
Woody’s Grille | 220 Carlson Pkwy. N.; 763.476.1011; woodysgrille.com
Manager Jaymie Larson and Woody’s bar staff know just the way to help you celebrate with some seasonal drink favorites.
Their Chilled Chocolate Mint Chip is made with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. It’s served up in a chilled martini glass that’s been decoratively drizzled with chocolate syrup, then topped off with a bit of crushed candy cane.
Woody’s Grasshopper is a delicious ice cream drink perfect for dessert after munching on party appetizers. In a blender, mix vanilla ice cream with both white and green Crème de Menthe for a frothy, festive green adult milk shake. Serve it in a tall glass and top with filberts (hazelnuts).
Kobe | 15555 34th Ave. N.; 763.559.9999; kobemn.com
Bartender Ming Ma says he learned all of his best drink recipes from Kobe manager Raymond Siu. Tastes range from their signature Sake Martini, made with genuine sake, vodka, dry vermouth and a cucumber, to their French Martini, which tastes a bit like taking your holiday on vacation. For the latter, vigorously shake up a tropical blend of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and pina colada mix; pour into a chilled martini glass. The result is a pretty, festive cocktail that is frothy and pink. Garnish with a lime for a modern holiday combination.
Your party can’t go wrong when serving up Appletinis—appropriate for any occasion and specially mixed at Kobe. This martini, shaken with ice, vodka, sour apple schnapps and a dash of sweet and sour mix, is a happy holiday shade of green and served in a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry to achieve that true blend of Christmas color.
Cowboy Jack’s Saloon | 4120 Berkshire Ln. N.; 763.559.0257; cowboyjackssaloon.com
Saddle up and meet your friends at Cowboy Jack’s for a Wild West-style celebration this holiday season. Lucky for us, two of their popular seasonal offerings can be easily re-created at home.
A sweet sipper with a twist is Cowboy Jack’s RumChata Hot Chocolate. Start with hot chocolate, then add RumChata, a Caribbean rum cream that tastes similar to traditional Mexican horchata made with rice, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. A bit of your favorite spiced rum like Captain Morgan finishes this delectable, spicy and sweet alcoholic treat.
A Spicy Nut Bourbon puts the just right finishing touch on a cozy night next to the fire after a great meal or opening gifts. Mix equal parts Red Stag spiced bourbon and amaretto with three parts half & half. Shake with ice and pour into a rocks glass. All you need next is to sit back and relax. Cheers!
