December 11th, 2020

Globally Inspired Cocktails to Make at Home During the Holidays

This holiday season might look different than many others, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate with a handcrafted cocktail. Through our Destination Download webinars, we've compiled drink recipes from our partners around the world. From a tropical Caipirinha to evoke the spirit of Brazil to a Canadian Cream to add a kick to your coffee, these cocktails will bring a bit of warmth and global spirit into your home this winter. Cheers!

All recipes include ingredients to make one cocktail.

ARUBA ARIBA

Aruba Ariba was invented at the very first high rise hotel that was build on the island back in 1959. That resort was Aruba Caribbean Hotel which is now the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort and Casino. The original recipe was invented by then Bar Manager Juan “Jocky” Tromp on July 1st, 1961. Juan received the task of creating a tall, tropical cocktail that was sweet and stress-free to make. As soon as he presented his original version of the new cocktail to the resort General Manager and a regional Food & Beverage executive and raised the glass for a toast saying “Ariba Aruba,” that was it! He received immediate approval for the refreshing addition to the bar menu, and its cool name.

The novel libation has been served at all the resort’s food and beverage outlets since then and has grown in popularity over the past decades. This drink is now part of Aruba's culture and heritage and visitors from all around the world fall in love with it at the first sip.

1/2 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce 151 proof rum
1 ounce passion fruit syrup
1/8 ounce of Creme de Banana
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Crushed ice
1/8 ounce of cherry grenadine syrup
1/8 ounce triple sec
Orange slice
Pineapple slice
1 Maraschino Cherry

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, rum, passion fruit syrup, cre de banana, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice and crushed ice; shake vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes.

Pour into large cocktail glass. Top with a splash a cherry grenadine and triple sec and lightly stir.

Garnish with an orange, pineapple slice, and a maraschino cherry. Serve with a long straw.

CAIPIRINHA (from Brazil)

It is the spirit of Brazil, tropical, refreshing and colorful. It is made with Cachaça, a type of liquor made only in Brazil. The Cachaça Distilleries are a must visit when in Brazil, and experts all over Brazil pick their favorite blend to make the perfect Caipirinha.

1 lime, cut into wedges
2 teaspoons sugar
2 ounces cachaça
Garnish: lime wheel

In a double Old Fashioned glass, muddle the lime wedges and sugar.

Fill with ice, add the cachaça, and stir briefly.

Garnish with a lime wheel.

CANADIAN CREAM

Canadian Cream is a rich combination of farm-fresh Ontario cream and Red Cask Whisky from the Wayne Gretzky Distillery in Niagara. Add to your cup of coffee or create a patio worthy cocktail…yum!!

CLASSIC GIN RICKEY (From Washington, DC)

The rickey was invented in 1883 at the former Shoomaker’s Bar (where the J.W. Marriott is today) by bartender George A. Williamson purportedly in collaboration with Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey. In 2011, it was named official DC cocktail.

2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Club soda, to top
Garnish: lime wheels

ESPRESSO MARTINI (From Las Vegas)

Las Vegas is the city that goes all day and night. So, what better way than to combine the love of a chic classic martini with a pick me up for the dinner and show! Other cultures love to just have an espresso...Las Vegas likes to kick it up a notch!

Ice Cubes
1⅓ oz vodka
⅔ oz Kahlúa
⅔ oz Espresso
3 Whole Coffee Beans

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

MANGO GUARO SPRITZER (from Costa Rica)

Guaro is Costa Rica's local spirit and this cocktail is full of taste and freshness!

10 fresh mint leaves
5 mango chunks
2 oz. lime juice
1 tsp. confectioner’s sugar
2 oz. GUARO CACIQUE
6-8 oz. sparkling water
1 mint sprig
lime slice
ice

Tear mint leaves. In a cocktail shaker, add mint, confectioner’s sugar and mango chunks. Muddle until mango becomes a fine pulp. Add lime juice, GUARO and lightly muddle some more.

Place ice in a lowball glass. Using a strainer, pour your mixture over ice.

Shake, shake, shake to retain every last drop. Top off with sparking water, slice of lime, sprig of mint, and a cocktail pick with two mango chunks. Serve straightaway!

MEXICAN MARTINI (from Austin, TX)

The Cedar Door Patio Bar & Grill in Austin, Texas was the first that first produced the recipe, which is a margarita served up with ½ oz of olive juice and garnished with 3 olives.

2 ounces good-quality tequila
1 to 2 ounces lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7-Up
1 ounce orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice
Splash of olive juice
Coarse salt, such as kosher salt, for rimming the glass
Pimiento-stuffed green olives, for garnish

Measure tequila, soda, orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, and olive juice into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into salt-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a skewer of olives.

To rim glasses, spread a thin layer of coarse salt onto a plate. Use a slice of lime to wet the edge of the martini glass, then dip in the salt, turning until well-coated.

To add some spice, garnish with gourmet green olives that have been stuffed with jalapenos instead!

ÓLAFSSON GOGGI COCKTAIL (from Iceland)

Icelanders usually only drink milk or pure Icelandic water, but if they fancy a cocktail, this one is very special! What is special about this one is it has Icelandic Gin and Skyr. (Iceland yogurt)

60ml. Ólafsson Gin (London dry Gin)
30ml. Lime juice
30ml. Sugar syrup
1 tsp. Siggi´s vanilla skyr.

Put ingredients in shaker fill with ice and shake.

Use strainer to pour into glass and then fill with rest of ice garnish with fresh thyme or small flower.

SZARLOTKA or “POLISH APPLE PIE COCKTAIL”

Poland is the country with the continent’s biggest animal living in the wild - the European Bison. This beautiful creature is a great example of the country’s unique fauna. Bison grass is a favorite delicacy of this great animal and this Bison Grass Vodka gets its color, flavor, and taste from Bison grass, because you can find one grass stalk in each bottle. A cocktail with freshly squeezed apple juice - locally called apple pie - is a very popular long drink to enjoy. Na zdrowie!

1 1⁄2 oz. Żubrówka vodka, ŻU vodka, or chamomile-infused vodka
Unfiltered apple juice

TEQUILA SUNRISE (from Arizona)

Not only does Arizona have amazing sunrises (and sunsets for those that are not morning people) but the original tequila sunrise was served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel where it was created by Gene Sulit. A frequent guest who loved tequila asked the bartender, Gene Sulit, to surprise him with a refreshing drink he could enjoy poolside. The iconic Tequila Sunrise--blending soda and tequila with Crème de Cassis and fresh lime juice--was born in the 1930s or 1940s. The orange juice and grenadine version of the popular recipe didn't come along until the 70's.

1.25 oz Roca Patrón Silver
.75 oz crème de cassis
Fresh lime juice
Club soda
Ice: Cracked Ice
Glass: Tall Glass
Garnish: Lime Wedge

Fill a tall glass with cracked ice. Add the tequila, crème de cassis and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Fill with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

WHITE PORT WINE WITH TONIC (from Portugal)

It’s a summer drink in Portugal that brings to Port Wine a different and unexpected approach, mixing a type of Port Wine that most people don’t know (White), with tonic water, 1 lemon slice and a sprig of mint.