Holiday Drink Ideas From South Florida Mixologists

Two Miami mixologists from the ever-praised Meat Market on Lincoln Road shared their five favorite drink recipes for the holidays. Christopher Hudnall and Gloria Pope take us on a journey of taste, sight and smell with Lincoln Road Daiquiri, I Love Gold, Spiced Apple, Thai Peanut Brittle and Crystal Clear Manhattan. Hudnall and Pope run the awe-inspiring mixology program at the hip, high-end steakhouse using the freshest ingredients, syrups created in house and innovative creativity. All drinks compliment the restaurant's menu and crudo bar offerings by Executive Chef Sean Brasel.

• 1.5 ounces Santa Teresa 1976
• 1.5 ounces pineapple juice
• 0.5 ounces lemon juice
• 0.5 ounces agave
• 0.5 ounces Licor 43
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Nutmeg (real nutmeg dust)

Build in a mixing tin. In this specific order, add lemon, agave, Licor 43, pineapple and rum. Add plenty of ice and shake hard for seven seconds. Strain into a large, chilled cocktail glass. Grate one coat of fresh nutmeg. Important: be sure to shake properly for good texture and froth and avoid over-dusting.

I Love Gold
Yields one drink.

• 2 orange slices, muddled
• 1.5 ounces Don Julio Anejo
• 0.75 ounces lemon juice
• 0.75 ounces honey simple syrup
• 0.5 ounces Mandarine Napoleon
• 1 good dash of cinnamon

Shake and strain all into a brown sugar-rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with an orange quarter resting in the middle of the cocktail without a straw.

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Spiced Apple
Yields one drink.

• 1 ounce spiced vodka (recipe below)
• 1.5 ounces ginger liqueur
• 1 ounce apple cider
• 0.5 ounces lemon juice
• 0.5 ounces simple syrup
• Star anise garnish

Spiced Vodka

• 1 bottle of vodka
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 3 whole cloves
• 4 whole allspice

Add spiced vodka, ginger liqueur, apple cider, lemon juice and simple syrup to a mixing glass. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with star anise.

Thai Peanut Brittle
Yields one drink.

• 3 basil leaves
• 3 jalapeño rings - without seeds
• 1 ounce Stoli Vanil
• 1 ounce Castries Peanut Rum Crème
• 1 ounce Domaine de Canton
• 0.5 ounces simple syrup

Bruise basil and jalapeño in a mixing glass. Add vodka, Domaine de Canton, Castries Peanut Crème and simple syrup. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a basil leaf and a jalapeño ring.

Crystal Clear Manhattan
Yields one drink.

• 2 ounces Moonshine
• 1 ounce vermouth
• 6 drops of orange flower water
• orange curl and cherry garnish

Add Moonshine, vermouth and orange flower water to a mixing glass. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with an orange curl and a cherry.

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