6 Hanukkah Cocktails Perfect For Celebrating The Festival Of Lights

Hanukkah begins the evening of December 18 and will be celebrated through December 26. With a weeklong Festival of Lights, that offers plenty of opportunity to try some pretty special celebratory cocktails.

The Christmukkah Cocktail

From Quality Eats, this cocktail is made with Ilegal Mezcal, Crème de Cacao, and Campari and finished with festive garnishes. It is a special offering for their month-long Festivus celebration featuring Sammy’s Roumanian beloved performer Dani Luv. Bryan Schneider, beverage director, says: “Every few years, depending on how the Jewish and Gregorian calendars align, we are blessed with a particularly festive super-holiday when Christmas falls exactly on one of the 8 days of Hanukkah. The Christmukkah cocktail, appropriately garnished with both a candy cane and Hanukkah Gelt, is an homage to this special event. It tastes like playing dreidel, warmed by yule log under a Christmas tree.”

Hebrew Cold Brew

Available at 8 Crazy Nights, a Hanukkah pop-up bar at The Graystone Tavern in Chicago’s Wrigleyville, this cocktail is made with Proper 12 Irish Whiskey, Dark Matter Cold Brew and simple syrup, topped with heavy cream and blue sugar. “This Hebrew Cold Brew is new to the 8 Crazy Nights menu this year. We support local as much as possible, so we tapped Chicago-based coffee roaster Dark Matter for their Chocolate City Cold Brew and combined it with Proper 12 Irish Whiskey. We add simple syrup, then shake heavy whipping cream to pour on top and use a blue sugar garnish. The result is a creamy, rich cocktail with hints of chocolate and a kick from the whiskey. My business partner Kyle Bagley loves cold brew, so I designed this cocktail as a treat for him hoping others would love it too,” said owner Sam Stone.

Grasshopper in Paris

This cocktail, available at Airmail Miami, is made with Cognac, Creme de Menthe and cacao, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and banana – a tropical twist on a classic cocktail. “The Grasshopper in Paris cocktail is our contribution to this year’s Hanukkah. Our tropical spin on the classic cocktail known for its mint-chocolate flavor: We added pineapple, banana and coconut, with a cognac base, which makes it perfect as dessert or on its own. To highlight the cacao flavors and be festive we garnish it with gelt. Cheers!” said Sofia Present, general manager and head mixologist.

Dreidel Drop

Available at Javier’s San Diego. “Dedicated to all the diversity that Izo brings us, this cocktail is an homage to the tenacity of the Jewish community that once you have a sip of this refreshing cocktail, you’ll say: ” A great miracle happened there” said Irvine Gonzalez.

Blossom & Bubbles

Available at Next Door in Boston, this cocktail is made with Sipsmith Gin, Faubourg 21 Brut, blueberry lavender syrup, blue spirulina, and garnished with a lemon peel ribbon, served in a Champagne flute. “This bright and bubbly cocktail is the perfect way to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah as its bubbly pairs well with the holiday’s traditional fried foods. It is a colorful and festive way to toast with family and friends during the festival of lights,” said Beverage Director Josue Castillo.

The Antonio Alejandro

This cocktail is via Mimy Santos, bar manager at Azul Mexicano Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. “This drink brings me so much childhood memories in Mexico, memories of my grandma alive, making tamales, buñuelos and champurrado. This warm cocktail works perfectly for the first night of Hanukkah, pairing perfectly with jelly donuts. The Antonio Alejandro is served up and on a chilled glass and as it warms up the flavors come up accentuate the vanilla and spices of Curamia Reposado Tequila, which is Certified Kosher,” said Santos.