’Tis the season for warm drinks, spiked ciders and spiced cocktails. Toast to holiday cheer at these ten Columbus restaurants and bars mixing up drinks for the holidays.
Black Creek Bistro
51 Parsons Avenue — Olde Towne East
The Olde Towne East restaurant serves up a richly spiced Cinnamisu Martini that goes down great on bitterly cold evenings. For the sweet concoction, Stoli Vanilla is accompanied by Orchata, a cinnamon cream rum, and tiramisu syrup.
CBC Restaurant
525 Short Street — Brewery District
Warm up with CBC’s Spicy Marg, a new addition to the winter cocktail list. For an intriguing twist on a classic summer favorite, jalapeno-infused Casamigos Blanca tequila is mixed with OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, hand-squeezed lime and orange juices, and house simple syrup.
Curio
491 South 4th Street — German Village
Eggnog is a rich treat of a drink typically served right around Christmastime. For their version of a Baltimore Nog, a recipe that originated in the 19th century, Curio uses a house rum blend combined with Teeling Irish Whiskey, PX Sherry, vanilla, cream, egg and nutmeg.
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
161 North High Street — Downtown
Sometimes the best way to cope with cold weather is to pretend you’re somewhere else. That’s exactly the idea behind Elevator’s Caribbean Winter cocktail. Drambuie, a sweet honey liqueur, is mixed with Sailor Jerry spiced rum, a Luxardo-cayenne simple syrup, lemon juice and orange bitters, then garnished with a lemon twist and champagne float.
Gallerie Bar & Bistro
401 North High Street — Downtown
Mulled wine is a mainstay for holiday parties and gatherings. Gallerie’s bar offers a sophisticated take on Mulled Wine made with red wine and brandy, and sweetened with brown sugar, cinnamon and orange.
Local Roots
15 E. Olentangy Street — Powell
We love the name of Local Roots’ cold-weather creation Apple Spice and All Things Nice. This seasonally appropriate cocktail combines Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with Amaretto, honey, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Mozart’s
4784 North High Street — Clintonville
Gluhwein, literally “glow wine” or German mulled wine, is served at special stands at Christmas markets throughout Germany and Austria. For Mozart’s version, a red wine—Austrian Blauer Zweigelt—is simmered with cinnamon, nutmeg, citrus and a bit of sugar.
Trattoria Roma
1447 Grandview Avenue — Grandview Heights
The bracingly tart cranberry is the perfect counterpart to all the decadent foods served around the holidays. Seek out Trattoria Roma’s Cranberry Mule with OYO vodka, Fever Tree Ginger Beer, cranberry juice and fresh lime. It’s garnished with limoncello-soaked cranberries!
Worthington Inn
649 High Street — Worthington
Local apple cider plays a starring role in a few of the seasonal offerings at Worthington Inn. Try the Harvest Mule with Grey Goose Orange, local cider, ginger beer and fresh lemon juice, or the Apple Cider Margarita with Olmeca Altos Reposado tequila, local cider, triple sec and fresh lemon juice.
Z Cucina
1368 Grandview Avenue — Grandview Heights
A hot toddy is an ages-old cure-all for whatever ails you. Z Cucina’s winter cocktail menu includes a Hot Buttered Toddy made with apple cider and apple brandy, supplemented with honey and lemon and topped with a disc of cinnamon sugar butter.
Dine Originals Columbus celebrates, supports and promotes the culinary diversity that locally owned and operated member restaurants contribute to the identity and culture of our city. The nonprofit group is committed to strengthening the local economy and enriching the community through education and charitable partnerships.
A limited number of Dine Originals Columbus restaurant gift certificates are on sale for 30% off! Buy them at doc.instagift.com/discount-sale.
For more information, visit www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com.