5 Cocktails That’ll Put You in a Holly Jolly Mood
Leave the mixology to the pros this season! Newport Beach’s best restaurants are whipping up an assortment of festive holiday cocktails that are sure to make your winter merry and bright. From hot cocoa-based concoctions to spiced libations that’ll warm you up from the inside out, these crafty drinks are sure to put you in a jolly mood. Here are five holiday cocktails in Newport Beach we’re sippin’ on all season long!
Drink: Sailor’s Grog
Order at: Topside Roof Deck
California Christmas vibes come to life at Lido House’s Topside Roof Deck, where you can sip seasonal libations and enjoy epic views. This beach house-style rooftop features plush lounge seating, string lights and an open-air bar, and this winter’s cocktail lineup is sure to spice up your season! Order the Sailor’s Grog with Ron Zacapa rum, Laphroaig, ube banana chai syrup and Meyer lemon for a sweet and zesty sip. You also can’t go wrong with the Topside Hot Toddy or a classic espresso martini!
Drink: Holiday Wassail
Order at: Muldoon’s Irish Pub
Muldoon’s seasonal Holiday Wassail will warm you up from the inside out! This festive libation is crafted with slow-cooked red wine with a spice blend, orange zest, cider and cranberry and is served in a snifter with a Lady apple and cinnamon stick. Imbibers can add a shot of spiced rum or Tuaca brandy for $5. However, if you prefer sweet over spiced, Muldoon’s Up to Snow Good is an eggnog-inspired libation with dark rum, cold brew coffee and cinnamon syrup.
Drink: The Santa
Order at: Malibu Farm
Nobody does seasonal drinks quite like Malibu Farm! This farm-to-table restaurant at Lido Marina Village is offering three different cocktails this month: The Grinch, the Jack Frost Painkiller and our favorite, The Santa, made with gin or vodka, cranberry rosemary agave, fresh lemon juice and prosecco. Malibu Farm is also offering a “Sleigh Bell Combo” this season, where you can get two of these cocktails for $28.
Drink: The Grinch
Order at: A+O Restaurant | Bar at Balboa Bay Resort
As one of the best destinations to watch the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, it’s no surprise that A+O Restaurant | Bar has a lineup of seasonal sips to accompany a merry evening on the bay! Cozy up around one of the outdoor fire pits on the restaurant’s wrap-around patio and order The Grinch made with Romate brandy, white creme de cacao, green creme de menthe liqueur, egg whites and oat milk. If you’re a pumpkin lover, however, the Pumpkin Spice Alexander is a must!
Drink: Naughty or Spice List
Order at: Holiday Hideout Speakeasy at VEA Newport Beach
‘Tis the Season to sip! VEA Newport Beach is welcoming guests, visitors and locals to enjoy an enchantingly festive “Holiday Hideout” speakeasy experience. Open Thursdays through Saturdays for the entire month of December, this cozy nook, nestled right within the lobby, transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Come sip an array of holiday-themed cocktails, like the Naughty or Spice List—a delightful blend of Kikori, lemon, honey, St. Elizabeth Allspice and Tempus Fugit Creme de Menthe. Or, if you prefer something to warm your spirits, Santa’s Little Helper awaits with its mix of Braulio, green chartreuse and hot cocoa.
Written by: Kaylin Waizinger
