Sarah Berardi, Hendrickās Gin West Coast Brand Ambassador, Shares Her Favorite Cocktails to Celebrate the Season
The holiday season is here, and itās time to elevate your at-home entertaining with cocktails that are as festive as they are delicious. Whether youāre hosting a cozy gathering or toasting to a quiet evening by the fire, these Hendrickās Gin cocktails are guaranteed to get you in good spirits.
We caught up with Hendrickās Ginās West Coast Brand Ambassador Sarah Berardi, who has spent years perfecting her craft from New Orleans to Scotland and now brings her expertise and charm to Southern California. “Quality of ingredients is so important,” says Berardi. “If what youāre putting in the drink is premium, it will taste premium.” From crowd-pleasing punches to spiced warm sips, here are four of her favorite holiday cocktails you can easily make at home.
Letās stir up some holiday cheer!
1 | Drink Name: Hendrickās Gin Holiday Punch
Ingredients:
20 oz Hendrickās Gin
10 oz elderflower liqueur
40 oz tonic water (chilled)
8 oz fresh lemon juice
4 oz cranberry juice
6 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Sliced cucumber, orange and fresh cranberries (for garnish)
Recipe:
In a large punch bowl, mix the Hendrickās Gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup. Just before serving, stir in the chilled tonic water to maintain its fizz. Garnish with cucumber slices, orange slices, fresh mint leaves and cranberries for a pop of color. Ladle into glasses filled with ice, ensuring each glass has some garnishes.
Tip: āYou can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of simple syrup,ā Berardi suggests. “This punch is a crowd-pleaser and an easy way to impress without much fuss.”
2 | Drink Name: Holiday Hot Gin Tea
Ingredients:
16 oz Hendrickās Gin
32 oz brewed chamomile tea (or your favorite herbal tea)
8 oz fresh lemon juice
8 oz honey (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Orange slices and fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Recipe:
Brew chamomile tea and keep it warm. In a large heatproof pitcher, combine the Hendrickās Gin, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until the honey dissolves. Slowly add the warm tea, stirring gently to combine. Ladle into mugs or heatproof glasses and garnish with a slice of orange and a sprig of rosemary.
Tip: āFor an extra festive flair, add a few whole cloves or a star anise to the mix,ā recommends Berardi. “Itās cozy and aromaticāperfect for chilly evenings.”
3 | Drink Name: Hendrickās Gin French 75
Ingredients:
12 oz Hendrickās Gin
6 oz fresh lemon juice
6 oz simple syrup (2:1 ratio)
1 chilled bottle (750 ml) of champagne or sparkling wine
Lemon twists (for garnish)
Recipe:
In a large pitcher, mix Hendrickās Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Just before serving, gently add the chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Pour into champagne flutes and garnish each with a twist of lemon.
Tip: “The French 75 is my go-to all year round, but itās the perfect holiday drink. It looks so refined in a champagne flute and has that celebratory sparkleāitās the holidays in a glass.”
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4 | Drink Name: Hendrickās Gin Wintertime 20th Century
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Hendrickās Gin
.75 oz Lillet Blanc (or dry vermouth)
.5 oz fresh lemon juice
.5 oz simple syrup
.25 oz crĆØme de cacao (optional)
Dash of freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon
Rosemary sprig or slice of candied ginger (for garnish)
Recipe:
In a shaker, combine Hendrickās Gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, simple syrup and crĆØme de cacao, if desired. Shake with ice until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a dash of grated nutmeg or cinnamon, and add a rosemary sprig or candied ginger for a festive touch.
Tip: “This drink puts a wintertime twist on a classic gin cocktail,” Berardi says. “Itās subtly spiced and has that cozy quality thatās perfect for sipping on a chilly night.”
