12 holiday cocktails and where to find them in Birmingham

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Are you in the holiday spirit yet? You will be when you try these tasty holiday-inspired cocktails Birmingham bartenders are shaking up all season long!

The Louis

When you visit The Pizitz Food Hall, be sure to stop by The Louis. You’ll find classic and craft cocktails—some specially prepared for the holidays.

Naughty and Nice

Naughty and nice swirl together in this drink by The Louis that combines gin, St. Germain and lemon and is topped with red wine.

Scrooge

Feeling like the Scrooge this Christmas season? This drink may cure that! It features bourbon shaken in honey cinnamon liquor and garnished with cinnamon. 

The Atomic Bar & Lounge

Hilarious costumes and delicious cocktails in an eclectic space? We could only be talking about The Atomic Bar & Lounge in Birmingham. This holiday season, The Atomic will be serving some pretty spectacular drinks. Here’s a peek.

Safia Mawji

On a cold winter day, what could be more soothing than a warm tea cocktail? The Safia Mawji is one such drink. Check out the photo. Pretty, right? More like pretty delicious!

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Want to know the best part? The Atomic gave me the recipe to share with you! Check it out:

• 1 1/2 oz. Hennessy VS Cognac
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. chai syrup
• 1 dash Berg & Hauck’s Creole bitters

To make syrup:

1. Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to boil
2. Add two teabags of chai tea.
3. Let cool.
4. Strain tea bags.
5. Garnish with a seasonal flower.

Taste the Safia Mawji at The Atomic Bar & Lounge—2113 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

Becca Lemelin

In the mood for a little Hot Toddy? Then settle in with the Becca Lemelin—The Atomic’s version of this cold-weather favorite. It includes:

• Laird’s Bonded Apple Brandy
• Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
• Lemon juice
• Jones Valley Farms lemongrass syrup
• Garnish: sprig of rosemary, single cinnamon stick and lemongrass stalk

So, who’s Becca Lemelin? Well here’s one of the fun things about The Atomic—they name all of their cocktails after their favorite regular customers. Visit them enough and maybe you’ll get a cocktail named after you! (Be sure to say hello to the owners—Feizal Valli and Rachael Roberts.)

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Find the Becca Lemelin at The Atomic Bar & Lounge—2113 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

The Wine Loft

Upscale drinks in a sophisticated, yet relaxed setting? Sounds perfect!

The Wine Loft, located in Birmingham’s Downtown Loft District, not only offers an incredible array of fine wines, but they also have a great menu of tasty holiday-inspired cocktails. Here are two to try:

Ginger Sidekick

Can’t get enough of that crisp fall feeling? Then you’ll love the Ginger Sidekick—a spicy Autumn twist on a classic sidecar. It’s a yummy mix of brandy, triple sec and handcrafted ginger syrup, then garnished with candied orange peel. Delish!

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Find the Ginger Sidekick at The Wine Loft—2200 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

Mele Kalikimaka

Imagine yourself somewhere warm and tropic this holiday season when you sip on a Mele Kalikimaka from The Wine Loft. It’s made with:

• Stoli Razberi
• Peach Schnapps
• Pineapple juice
• Sparkling Brachetto

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Find the Mele Kalikimaka at The Wine Loft—2200 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

Peppermint Russian

Nothing says Christmas like the taste of peppermint. For a cool, yet refreshingly sweet treat that will put you in the holiday spirit, try the Peppermint Russian, made from vanilla vodka, kahlua, peppermint burst and cream. 

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Taste the Peppermint Russian at The Wine Loft—2200 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

A Hard Candy Christmas

Made from “Ole Smoky” Salty Caramel Whiskey, vanilla lemonade and served over ice, A Hard Candy Christmas is cold and sweet just like the season. 

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Enjoy A Hard Candy Christmas at The Wine Loft—2200 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

Queen’s Park

Queen’s Park is one of the newest cocktail bars to open in Birmingham—and they are going all out for the holidays with their Miracle on 24th Street Pop-Up. 

During the pop-up, expect Christmas decor, enough holiday cheer to warm the heart of even the crankiest grinch, and best of all, a holiday-themed cocktail menu. Here are three cocktail’s you’ll find at Queen’s Park—now through December 31.

Christmas Carol Barrel

Thirstin’ for some rum? Have it served up in a shot-sized barrel when you order the Christmas Carol Barrel. This tasty cocktail combines aged rum, aquavit, amaro, pumpkin pie, lemon, orange and Angostura bitters. 

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Bad Santa

Is the holiday season too nice for you? Then opt for a Bad Santa. Served hot, this drink features:

• Milk punch with Barbados Rum
• Trinidad Overproof Rum
• Batavia Arrack
• Pineapple juice
• Lemon juice
• Almond milk
• 8 spices
• Coconut water
• Coconut butter

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Jingle Bell Nog

Nostalgic for the warm, frothy goodness of eggnog? Then you may enjoy this eggnog-inspired Jingle Bell Nog. Made with cognac, pedro ximenez sherry, brown butter, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, almond milk, cream, sugar, eggs and nutmeg, this drink will hug your throat and hit that yummy spot in your belly this holiday season. 

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Bonus: The specialty glassware shown in the photos above are available for purchase so you can have fun drinks at home all season long. 

Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar

Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar is one of the newest speakeasy’s to hit Birmingham, and it has everything one could want in a fun, secretive drinking spot: A great atmosphere, friendly bartenders and yummy drinks! Check out their latest holiday drink.

Fireside Flip

Nutty, frothy coffee with a kick? Try the Fireside Flip. It combines:

• Mezcal
• Sweetened oloroso Sherry
• Macademia Nut Liqueur
• Good People Coffee Oatmeal Sout demerara syrup

What gives it that delicious frothy texture? It’s garnished with a shaken egg white with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

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Find the Fireside Flip at Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar—2015 1st Ave N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

What’s your favorite holiday drink being served in Birmingham this year?