By Andrea Swedberg // Photographs by Paulette Phlipot
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Party planning 101: have a good sense of humor! Everything after that involves just a little forethought. The holidays are a busy time—added to the fact that you work full-time and have a family to raise. So sometimes planning an après-work gathering is just too much. Or is it?
With a few locally inspired libations up your winter coat sleeves (and some great friends to boot), you’ll be on your way to “[clink] Skol.”
ale sangaree
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Makes one 4-ounce mug
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Not to be confused with sangria, Ale Sangaree is the amazing great-grandfather of craft beer cocktails. Dating back to 1774, this smooth brut was traditionally served as a “flip” (boiled on the spot with a hot iron poker).
for the drink:
2 tablespoons simple syrup (see recipe on facing page,
omitting ginger syrup)
Splash of hot water
3 ounces Grand Teton Brewing Co. Black Cauldron Imperial
Stout, room temp
Dash nutmeg
Divide the simple syrup into each mug. Pour in hot water.
Fill with stout.
Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
(Recipe adapted from bonappetit.com)
GlÖgg
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Makes six cocktails in 4-ounce mugs
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Hailing from Scandinavia, Glögg is by far my favorite holiday-inspired cocktail! It brings the whole package together: family, friends, cheer, and a fortified warm-me-up.
for the glÖgg:
1 bottle red wine
1/2 cup sugar
12-24 blanched whole almonds
6 tablespoons raisins
1 ounce Grand Teton Vodka (infused or straight)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
In a saucepan, heat the wine. Do not boil.
Add sugar and heat until dissolved.
Remove from heat. Add vanilla.
In the bottom of each mug, add 2 almonds, 3 raisins, and vodka.
Ladle Glögg into each mug.
old man winter
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Makes one cocktail, served in an Old-Fashioned glass
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You’ve got a fire crackling, and it’s loftily snowing outside. All you need now are friends and ice to make the night complete! While this drink may be cold, the addition of Wyoming Whiskey and ginger provides the ammo to heat you up.
for the simple syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 8 oz. bottle ginger syrup (I like Ginger People brand.)
Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan.
Heat over medium until sugar is dissolved.
Increase heat to medium-high and reduce until the bubbles pop on surface.
Remove from heat.
Once cool, add ginger syrup to taste.
for the drink:
4 ounces Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon
2 ounces simple syrup
3 ounces fresh orange juice
2 splashes orange bitters
Ice (spheres optional)
Crystalized ginger, chopped
Cinnamon sticks
Peel of 1 orange, cut into 1-inch pieces
In a shaker, add 2 ounces whiskey, syrup, orange juice, and orange bitters.
Fill shaker with ice and shake several times.
Add ice spheres to cocktail glass (if using).
Pour cocktail through a strainer into glass.
Garnish with crystalized ginger, 1 cinnamon stick, and a twist of peel.
