Put the Jingle in Your Mingle
It’s that time of year again when you need the perfect cocktail for holiday hosting! Brother Justus Whiskey Co. has got you covered with three great recipes for making spirits bright at your next holiday gathering.
Pick up a bottle of our American Single Malt Whiskey at our Distillery and Cocktail Room or at a retailer near you to craft each of these signature drinks at home!
Orange Espresso Martini
Reminiscent of the chocolate covered orange in your stocking, this is the perfect companion to opening gifts on Christmas morning.
Makes 10 cocktails
For the Vanilla Cream Cheese Foam:
1 vanilla bean
2 tsps vanilla extract
16 oz cream cheese
10 oz heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 whole milk
For the Cocktails:
10 1/4 oz Brother Justus American Single Malt Silver Whiskey
5 oz simple syrup
5 oz Orange Liqueur, like Cointreau or similar
7 1/2 oz Coffee Liqueur, like Mr. Black or similar
7 1/2 oz Vanilla Cream Cheese Foam
6 oz water
20 dashes Angostura Bitters
20 dashes Orange Bitters
To Make the Vanilla Cream Cheese Foam:
Combine vanilla bean, vanilla extract, cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, and milk in a blender and blend on high for 20 seconds until smooth incorporated.
Pour foam into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use; foam will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
To Make the Cocktails:
Add whiskey, simple syrup, orange liqueur, coffee liqueur, foam, and bitters to a mixing pitcher and stir vigorously until combined.
Strain each cocktail into a chilled coupe glass, then garnish with a grated chocolate-covered espresso bean dusting and an orange rip.
Hot Buttered Yum
Our riff on the ages-old Hot Buttered Rum - just as delicious, and even more fortifying against winter’s chill.
Makes 12 cocktails
For the Batter:
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
pinch Kosher salt
For the Cocktails:
18 oz Brother Justus American Single Malt Silver Whiskey (about 2/3 one 750ml bottle)
9 oz (18 tablespoons) Hot Yum batter
48-72 oz very hot water
Garnish with cinnamon stick and/or whipped cream
To Make the Batter:
Mix brown sugar, butter, agave or honey, all spices, and salt in a mixing bowl. Having room temperature butter is key to properly blend the batter into a smooth paste!
Once fully incorporated, refrigerate the batter for at least one hour to solidify. Store the batter in a well-sealed jar in the refrigerator until needed; it keeps well in the refrigerator for about two weeks, or in the freezer for one month.
To Make the Cocktails:
Temper the mugs you’ll use to serve the cocktails by pouring hot water in and letting sit for about 10 seconds. One at a time, remove the hot water from the mug and pour 1 ½ oz of Brother Justus American Single Malt Silver Whiskey into the tempered mug.
Add 2 tablespoons of batter, and top with 4-5 oz of very hot or boiling water. Stir with a spoon until batter has fully dissolved.
Repeat for all 12 drinks, then sip and enjoy this lovely winter warmer!
*Pro tip: for a mocktail, skip the whiskey and add a dash of heavy cream and two teaspoons of rum extract for one serving.
Sweater Weather
This childhood staple gets an adult upgrade with cayenne and cinnamon in the cocoa mix to deepen the flavor, and a little whiskey to amp up the warmth.
Makes 10 cocktails
For the Mexican Hot Chocolate:
1 gallon milk (we recommend oat milk for the consistency)
4 discs Abuelita’s Mexican Hot Chocolate
2 cinnamon sticks
For the Cocktails:
15 oz Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey (just over half of a 750ml bottle)
60-72 oz Mexican hot chocolate
10 oz whipped cream
Cinnamon sticks and/or fresh ground nutmeg for garnish
To Make the Hot Chocolate:
Combine milk and hot chocolate discs in a saucepan and set temperature to medium low. Wait for the chocolate to slightly melt and become soft before stirring vigorously with a whisk to break up disc and incorporate.
When the milk and chocolate are warm, but not hot, carefully place contents into blender and blend on high for 10-20 seconds, before returning to the saucepot to continue heating.
Once the pot is simmering, turn down the heat slightly to prevent any boiling. Add cinnamon sticks and set a timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, serve immediately or refrigerate and then reheat on low on the stovetop. Yields approximately one gallon.
To Make the Cocktails:
Temper the mugs you’ll use to serve the cocktails by pouring hot water in and letting sit for about 10 seconds. Once hot, remove water.
For each cocktail, combine 1½ oz whiskey and 5-6 oz hot chocolate in the mug and stir until well incorporated.
Top with whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or fresh ground nutmeg.
Whichever recipe you choose to aid in your celebrations, Brother Justus whiskey is sure to make the season memorable. Find us in over 250 locations in Minnesota and Illinois, or order online for nationwide shipping.
Let Justus Flow - Happy Holidays!