December Drinks

Four drinks that will get you through the doldrums of December

The BeUrre d’Landry, available at, Strip Club Meat & Fish, is a mix of hot chamomile tea and whiskey.

Image credit: Photos by Emily Davis

By: METRO staff |   December 2011   |  From the print edition

December can be a dark and dreary month. In other words, it's the perfect time to have a drink (or several, assuming you've nowhere to go for the evening). We asked four of our favorite bartenders to suggest a libation that will get us through the cold days -- and help us survive the holidays --  and this is what they came up with.

BeUrre d’Landry, available at, Strip Club Meat & Fish, 378 Maria Ave., St. Paul; 651.793.6247; domeats.com

In an Irish coffee glass, add:

+ 2 oz. Old Overholt Rye Whiskey

+ ½ oz. Berentzen Apfelkorn (German apple liqueur)

+ ½ oz.  Licor 43 (Spanish vanilla, herb and citrus liqueur)

+ 2 t Rosemary-honey syrup *

Fill glass with hot chamomile tea. Top with medium spoonful of butter and allow butter to melt, then garnish with ground cinnamon.

“Inspired by a regular Strip Club patron, Aaron Landry, this variation of a hot buttered cocktail utilizes rye instead of the more traditional rum. On a wintry night, the German apple schnapps and vanilla and herbs in Licor 43 add comfort to your palate while your fingers thaw around the heat of the glass. Topped with soft chamomile tea and a dollop of butter and cinnamon, this drink is tailor-made for our most blustery season. Easy to make in large quantities for entertaining.”  —Dan Oskey

* Rosemary-honey syrup: In saucepan, add ½ cup honey, ½ cup water, 1 T finely chopped rosemary. Bring to simmer, cool and strain. 

Remedy Toddy, available at Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, 289 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651.699.3536; heartlandrestaurant.com

 + 2 oz. North Shore Aquavit

+ ½ oz. Benedictine

+ ½–¾ oz. honey syrup (to taste)*

+ ½ oz. lemon juice

+ 3 oz. boiling water

Combine aquavit, Benedictine, honey syrup and lemon juice in a mug. Top with boiling water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a thin slice of lemon.

“Most people will associate toddies with the more commonly used brown liquors (whiskey, brandy, dark rum, etc.). The Remedy Toddy makes use of aquavit, which is neutral grain spirits flavored with spices and herbs, most notably caraway. It has the sort of character you might expect from a really great cup of tea when you have a cold: good herbal and spice tones and a pleasant honey sweetness with just a touch of acidity. Throw in a decent alcohol kick (North Shore Aquavit checks in at 90 proof) and you’ve got yourself a nice winter warmer.” —Jon Palmer

* For the honey syrup, take one cup of wildflower or single-source honey and combine with 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat and stir until honey is dissolved in water. Allow it to cool and transfer to a squeeze bottle.

Cranberry Dram, available at Saint Paul Hotel’s Lobby Bar, 350 Market St., St. Paul; 651.228.3804; saintpaulhotel.com

+ ½ oz. St. Elizabeth allspice dram

+ 1 ½ oz. Prairie Vodka

+ ½ oz. fresh lime juice

+ 7 frozen cranberries

+ 2 lime wedges

+ ¼ oz. simple syrup

+ ¼ oz. ginger ale

Combine vodka, St. Elizabeth allspice dram, simple syrup, cranberries, lime juice and one lime wheel into cocktail shaker. Fill cocktail shaker with ice (16oz.). Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Purge into 12 oz. Gibraltar water glass. Top with splash of ginger ale. Garnish with a lime wheel. Serve with cocktail napkin and 12-inch drink straw.

“Cranberry Dram is a seasonal cocktail that was created with the holiday season in mind. Cranberries are a holiday tradition and a wonderful addition to this cocktail. The St. Elizabeth allspice liqueur has subtle hints of cinnamon, clove and cardamom—all spices traditionally served in dishes around the holiday season.” —Justin Spano

Red October, available at Moscow on the Hill, 371 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651.291.1236; moscowonthehill.com

+ ¾ oz. Stoli Vanil

+ ¾ oz. 3 Olives Chocolate

+ ¼ oz. pepper vodka

+ Splash of dark creme de cacao 

Shake ingredients together with ice in a martini shaker. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.

“Red Oktober’s warming richness and subtle spice is the perfect cocktail for a cold winter’s night.” —Eugene Liberman