Do Holidays the Angeleno Way With These Festive Sippers
Written By: Molly O’Brien Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
There’s a chill in the air and holiday lights on every corner. ‘Tis the season for all things Christmassy, including festive cocktails for your next after-work outing or fun weekend plans. Whether you prefer warm flavors of cinnamon or some chocolatey goodness, these drinks will put a smile on your face. Have a holly jolly holiday with these oh-so festive cocktails in Los Angeles!
1 | Warm Up! Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Must-Order: Yule Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid
The Yule Shoot Your Eye Out Cider at The Garland is a fusion of aromatic apple cider and dark rum, which creates a soul-warming combination of holiday wholesomeness.
Native Knowledge: This drink is made with fresh, real apples—no artificial sweeteners or faux apple juice allowed.
The Garland
4222 Vineland Ave
North Hollywood, CA 91602
818.238.3759
2 | He Knows If You’ve Been Bad or Good Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Living Room Bar at W Los Angeles Beverly Hills
Must-Order: Secret Santa (bartender’s choice!)
Holiday cocktails at Living Room Bar in the W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills hotel include Dancing With Sugar Plums and Under the Mezcal Toe—both of which are essential to keep cozy in this brisk LA winter weather. Pick your drink of choice from the naughty or nice menu!
Living Room Bar at W Los Angeles Beverly Hills
930 Hilgard Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.443.8218
3 | Golden Opportunities Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Must-Order: Fool’s Gold
Salazar’s quintessentially Californian outdoor patio scene reminds everyone why they chose to be in Los Angeles when the rest of the country is huddled indoors during the holiday season. Even if Santa is bringing coal this Christmas, Salazar serves up the Fool’s Gold cocktail—a kickin’ combination of reposado, St. Germain, lime, salted caramel and egg white that’s blended perfectly together for holiday happiness.
Salazar
2490 Fletcher Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90039
4 | Madre Knows Best Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Must-Order: Agave Hot Toddy
Madre’s authentic flavors of Oxacan heritage and handcrafted cocktails are made with genuine mezcal and agave spirits at both locations in Culver City and Torrance. The Agave Hot Toddy cocktail is a mixture of authentic Oaxacan seasonal tea and tequila or mezcal for the ultimate comfort drink when the weather outside is (LA’s standard of) frightful.
Madre
10426 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310.559.4732
1261 Cabrillo Ave, Ste 100
Torrance, CA 90501
310.974.8005
5 | Spiking the Hot Chocolate Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Must-Order: Cabby Hot Chocolate
Chef Michael Reed’s cult-following brunch offerings at Poppy + Rose in Downtown LA now include a selection of curated cocktails like the signature Cabby Hot Chocolate, which is made with Ghirardelli hot chocolate, milk and rabble cabernet. Its rich, confectionary aroma gives taste buds the nostalgic sensation of the excitement of waking up as a kid on Christmas morning and smelling fresh-baked cinnamon rolls.
Poppy + Rose
765 Wall St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213.995.7799
6 | Get Eggcited! Los Angeles Festive Cocktails
Must-Order: Kingbird Eggnog
Christiaan Rollich’s Kingbird Eggnog from Lucques is a dreamy combination of cream, egg, milk, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanilla and nutmeg. It smells like a warm winter cookie and tastes just as sweet. “This year, the first batch was sold out before it was even made…This is the converter that turns non-nog lovers into lifers and throws vegans off the wagon,” says Rollich.
Native Knowledge: This recipe is included in Rollich’s recipe book, “Bar Chef,” which came out earlier in 2019, so anyone can take a shot at making it anytime of year.
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.655.6277
7 | Sleigh, What?!
Must-Order: Navidad Tropicale
The Navidad Tropicale cocktail is a yuletide must-try. This combination of Dobel tequila, yellow Chartreuse, pineapple, coconut and lime feels like Christmas—only better. “This cocktail was inspired by the Puerto Rican classic pina colada! We wanted to combine an exceptionally smooth tequila with an herbaceous liqueur like Chartreuse to create a cocktail that is both tropical and complex,” says Bar Manager Taylor Hall.
Native Knowledge: The pop-up event at Runway Playa Vista features “Santa Sundays” where families can enjoy arts and crafts, snow cones and cotton candy. You can also tell the jolly man himself what you want for Christmas (besides another Navidad Tropicale).
Runway Playa Vista
1277 Millennium Dr
Playa Vista, CA 90094
310.862.9461
8 | Toast to the Most
Must-Order: Alpine Hot Chocolate
The Christmas spirits are shining through at Conservatory in West Hollywood with festive refreshments like the Alpine Hot Chocolate. It’s created with housemade hot chocolate, green Chartreuse and Clear Creek cherry brandy. “We wanted a warm and toasty option for our LA guests at Conservatory, so we went with this Alpine Hot Chocolate to give some nostalgia with a modern twist on the traditional hot cocoa… It’s already one of our most popular drinks,” describes Bar Manager Vinnie Meza.
Conservatory
8289 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323.654.0020
