5 Delicious And Refreshing Cocktails For Your Vacation

Jimmy Buffett’s iconic song “If You Like Pina Coladas” perfectly paints the picture of a cold and refreshing Pina Colada on the sand of sub-tropical beaches. This song encapsulates the laid-back, cozy, and youthful feeling that cocktails provide to turn a mundane holiday into an epic vacation.

However, people are tired of drinking the same boring old holiday cocktails that do not offer any new experiences. Instead of relying on basic age-old recipes, try these five deliciously curated cocktails that you can add to your vacation calendar.

1. Absinthe Frappe

Since its invention in the 18th century, absinthe has experienced considerable popularity due to its characteristic wormwood flavor, scientifically called artemisia absinthium. The complex taste profile of absinthe alcohol has been admired by many influential people like Ernest Hemingway, Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allan Poe, etc.

Absinthe Frappe is one of the most delicious cocktails that has amassed a huge following. Once considered a popular morning cocktail, the Absinthe Frappe was invented by bartender Cayetano Ferrer in 1874 in the Old Absinthe House.

Ingredients

• This cocktail requires absinthe, simple syrup, mint and crushed ice.

Recipe

• Add 1 ½ oz of absinthe, ½ oz of simple syrup and crushed ice into a shaker.
• Fill the ¾ of the shaker with crushed ice and shake for a minimum of 12 seconds.
• Subsequently, strain the cocktail into a julep cup or double rocks glass with crushed ice while garnishing with mint.

This cocktail also has other variations depending on the location and the customer’s taste. While one version of the cocktail involves blending these ingredients to make an ice slush, you can also substitute simple syrup with anisette liqueur for a more pronounced anise flavor.

A recent variation of the cocktail also utilizes gin or Herbsaint to change the flavor profile, this cocktail is then mixed with edible glitter to imitate the iconic green color of absinthe.

2. Eggnog – The ultimate Christmas cocktail

Nothing screams a winter holiday like frothy, warm and filling eggnog that leaves behind a mustache of happiness. Absinthe takes this holiday commodity to another level by offering a kick of refreshment and unparalleled taste.

Though the earlier version of eggnog can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the combination of egg and milk that gave the drink its iconic name is believed to have been invented in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Ingredients

• Absinthe, heavy cream, simple syrup, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, cinnamon powder and egg.

Recipe

• To make absinthe eggnog, take 1 ½ oz of absinthe, 1 ½ oz of fresh heavy cream, ¾ oz of simple syrup, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 whole egg.
• Measure and pour all the ingredients into a shaker and shake for 1 minute without ice, or you can use a handheld milk frother.
• Now add crushed ice into the shaker and add vigorously for 15 seconds.
• Double strain into a glass and garnish with powdered sugar or cinnamon powder.

3. Glogg

Glogg is a Swedish delicacy that is pronounced as ‘glu-guh’ and is quickly becoming a favorite Christmas cocktail for its unique taste and aroma.

The origin of Glogg can be traced back to the early 1600s and has quickly gained the status of a traditional holiday beverage. Though this cocktail is usually time-consuming, the end product is worth all the extra effort.

Ingredients

• Cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, dry red wine, dark brown sugar, marsala, white rum, orange, ginger, raisins and almonds.

Recipe

• Toast 12 lightly crushed cardamom pods, 5 lightly crushed whole cloves, 1 broken cinnamon stick and 1 ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg in a heavy pot over medium flame for 2 minutes.
• Add 750 ml red wine, 8 oz brown sugar, 8 oz Marsala, 4 oz of white rum, 1 orange peel and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh ginger to the dry spices and bring to a simmer, constantly stirring for 15 minutes.
• Let the mixture steep for 2-4 hours and then strain the mixture in another pot.
• Add ¼ cup raisins and 2 tablespoons of silvered almonds and cook for 5 minutes.
• Serve this mixture in mugs with additional raisins and almonds along with orange zest as garnish.

4. Christmas Punch

The list of quintessential holiday cocktails is incomplete without the mention of the iconic Christmas Punch. A big pitcher of punch is the ultimate addition for taking your holiday fiesta to the next level.

The earliest mention of punch is found in 1632. The nomenclature was made famous by English merchant sailors of the British East India Company. Since then, punch has gone through different changes in its forms and elements, including the Christmas Punch.

Ingredients

• The ingredients required for this cocktail are apple cider, Prosecco, ginger beer, unsweetened cranberry juice, vodka, apple, orange, cranberries and cinnamon sticks.

Recipe

• Add 64 oz of apple cider, 1 bottle of Prosecco, 12 oz ginger beer, 12 oz cranberry juice and 12 oz of vodka in a large pitcher filled with ice.
• Slice and add 1 apple and 1 orange with 16 tablespoons of cranberries and stir together.
• Divide the mixture into glasses and garnish with cinnamon sticks and cranberries.

If you’re looking for a vodka suggestion, then I’d recommended Virtuous Vodka Chili, which is made through gentle maceration of real organic chili peppers. It provides a well-balanced and authentic chilli pepper flavour. Also recommended in a classic Vodkatini or to provide edge to a Bloody Mary.

5. Fabulous Flamingo Cocktail

Invented by Leandro DiMonriva and Brain Tetorakis at Cole’s French Dip in 2019, the Flamingo cocktail paints the picture of an extended leisure expedition surrounded by a pink pool flamingo.

Ingredients:

• The bright pink color of the cocktail comes from the raspberry syrup along with cucumber bitter, lime juice, white rum, tonic water and rhum Agricole.

Recipe

• Add 1 dash of cucumber bitters into a shaker with ¾ oz of lime juice, ¾ oz of raspberry syrup, 1 oz of white rum and 1 oz of Rhum Agricole. Fill the shaker with ice and then shake for 5-10 seconds.
• Place a tall block of ice in a chilled Tom Collins glass with 1 ½ oz of tonic water and fill it with the strained mixture. Garnish and serve with thin raspberry garnish. The flamingo cocktail is famous for its low-effort preparation and flexibility. It can be customized to your liking by substituting the spirits with other elements like flavored tonic water.
• This cocktail serves as a light, refreshing beverage with considerable strength to perfectly accompany your summer brunch.

Conclusion

Cold and harsh winter chills can dull even the most spirited individuals. However, with these refreshing and delicious cocktails at your disposal, you are bound to escape the weekend blues and relish your fantasy world.