Spirits of the Season

[caption id="attachment_10047" align="aligncenter" width="200"] The Bullet Proof is Olive or Twist's signature cocktail.[/caption]

Bullet Proof

2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. Hum hibiscus liqueur

3/4 oz. Bonal Gentiane-Quina

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

3/4 oz. simple syrup

2 dashes Fee Bros. Whiskey Barrel Aged Bitters

Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake thoroughly, then strain into glass. Garnish with brandied cherry.

[caption id="attachment_10049" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Dating back to the 19th century, the Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmastime cocktail that is most popular in the Upper Midwest.[/caption]

 Tom and Jerry

1 oz. spiced rum

1 oz. cognac

3 heaping tsp. Tom & Jerry Batter (recipe below)

Hot milk to fill

Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake thoroughly, then strain into glass. Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg and fresh grated chocolate.

Tom & Jerry Batter:

12 eggs, separated

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 lb. butter, at room temperature

3 lb. confectioners' sugar

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Beat egg whites and salt until foamy in a large glass or metal mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat egg yolks and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until they turn pale and thicken. Beat butter and confectioners' sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla to butter mixture; mix. Stir in nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cinnamon and egg whites; beat until well blended. Batter can be frozen or kept in refrigerator for several weeks.

[caption id="attachment_10051" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Even America's founding fathers embraced the classic holiday cocktail called egg nog; George Washington's recipe was especially potent.[/caption]

Egg Nog

3 heaping Tbsp. Tom & Jerry Batter (recipe above)

1 1/2 oz. bourbon or spiced rum

Combine ingredients in shaker. Shake thoroughly, then strain into glass. Garnish with star anise or fresh grated cinnamon if desired.

[caption id="attachment_10055" align="aligncenter" width="200"] White cranberry juice gives a tart kick to the Christmas Cosmopolitan.[/caption]

Christmas Cosmopolitan

1 1/2 oz. citrus vodka

3/4 oz. white cranberry juice

1/2 oz. Cointreau triple sec

Juice of 1 lime wedge

2 dashes Christmas bitters (optional)

Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake thoroughly, then strain into glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries floated on top.

[caption id="attachment_10056" align="aligncenter" width="200"] For a twist on the classic 19th-century cocktail, try a gingerbread-infused old-fashioned.[/caption]

Gingerbread Old-Fashioned

2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur

1 oz. gingerbread syrup

2 dashes gingerbread bitters

Build cocktail in glass by adding ingredients in the order they are listed. Garnish with gingerbread cookie.