When December rolls around, it’s always the most wonderful time of the year. From trimming the tree to baking sweet treats all season long, celebrating the holidays at home is the best way to feel the spirit of the season this year. Another way to feel the spirit is with… spirits! Continuing to provide COVID-friendly drinks to-go during the holidays brings your customers good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We’ve selected three delicious takes on traditional cocktails to bring a new meaning to being home for the holidays. Each recipe makes eight to-go cocktails, allowing for larger batches so you can serve guests faster. With new regulations on to-go alcohol sales in place, we’ve included recommendations on sanitary, sealed drink containers that work great for holiday to-go orders. We’ve included our suggestions for the perfect ice cube as well to ensure these cocktails stay cold on the warm ride home.
White Christmas Mojito
This tropical twist on a minty classic will have you imagining a warm breeze even in the whitest of winters. Mint and coconut combine for a creamy treat that’ll add a sweet finish to your customers’ to-go orders. Sealed mason jars are a sanitary, smart option for to-go drinks that’ll put a smile on your customers’ faces this holiday season.
With a flavorful, festive cocktail like this, you’ll want an ice cube that absorbs every last drop. We recommend serving over cubelet ice as it’s soft and absorbent, making it the perfect addition to your holiday mojito. The ice absorbs the sugary drink, making it a sweet treat for your guests to enjoy even after they have finished their to-go drinks.
Ingredients: (makes 8 drinks)
- 8 oz of lime juice
- 16 mint leaves
- 8 tablespoons of sugar
- 8 shots of white rum
- 4 shots of coconut rum
- 2 cups of canned coconut milk
- Sparkling water to fill
Instructions:
- Muddle lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves until leaves break up.
- Blend white rum, coconut rum, and coconut milk until smooth.
- Combine mint mixture with rum and pour over chewblet ice, filling the glass ¾ full.
- Top off with sparkling water and garnish with a mint leaf.
Apple Chai Gin & Tonic
For customer that prefer a more traditional to-go cocktail, try a spicy seasonal version of a classic gin and tonic. Making your own apple chai syrup in three quick steps is an easy way to add an elevated touch to an old favorite. This warm, refreshing “G &Tea” adds a dash of holiday spice to your customers’ day. Serving this cocktail in a tall Collins glass is ideal, but for drinks to-go, consider a taller plastic sealed container.
Since we’re serving this gin and tonic tall, it’s important to use an ice cube that fits nicely into the glass. Crescent or half-dice ice cubes stack well in taller glasses and are large enough not to melt quickly. These cubes ensure your customers’ to-go drinks will still be full of flavor, even after their drive home.
Ingredients: (makes 8 drinks)
- 12 oz of dry gin
- 6 oz of homemade apple chai syrup
- 8 cups apple cider
- 16 tablespoons loose chai tea
- 8 cups of demerara sugar
- Tonic to fill
Instructions:
- Make syrup by simmering apple cider with loose chai tea for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Strain out tea and mix in demerara sugar until dissolved. Let cool.
- Mix gin and syrup together in a shaker.
- Pour over ice and top with tonic.
- Stir gently to combine.
Mistletoe Margarita
While margaritas are usually enjoyed poolside in the summer heat, this one is perfect for a winter treat with sugared cranberries. Adding a tart surprise to a typical silver tequila margarita is the best way to provide your customers a frosty, refreshing to-go drink this holiday season.
Blending up the perfect margarita is all about the ice. Using flake ice or pellet ice ensures your frozen to-go cocktail is smooth while preserving the taste. This absorbent ice retains the flavor of the cocktail so that each sip your customer takes is brimming with tangy flavor.
Ingredients: (makes 8 drinks)
- 1/2 cup of whole cranberries
- 2 tbsp of granulated sugar
- 2 cups of cranberry juice
- 12 oz of silver tequila
- 8 oz of triple sec
- 1/2 cup and 1 tbsp of lime juice, divided
- 12 cups of flake ice
Instructions:
- Toss whole cranberries with 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Drain out lime juice, then toss with sugar. Let dry.
- Combine cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, remaining 1/2 cup lime juice, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with leftover sugared cranberries.
Rock Around the Holidays with Ice-Cold Cocktails
In this new age of cocktails to-go, we’ll help keep your beverages icy and your customers coming back for more. Easy Ice’s commercial ice machine subscriptions save your business money and time, especially during the busy holiday season. For one low monthly payment, we cover everything you need to keep your to-go cocktails cool year-round.
We include commercial ice equipment costs, maintenance, repairs, cleanings, and replacement ice in our all-inclusive subscriptions. While your customers enjoy their holiday spirits at home this year with drinks to-go, our commercial ice machine subscriptions are here to keep your ice bin full for an affordable monthly cost! Contact us today and see what our commercial ice machine lease program can do for your business.
As the Co-Founder and COO of Easy Ice, John Mahlmeister has been working in the commercial ice machine industry since 2009. Co-headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and Marquette, MI, Easy Ice is the only national provider of full-service ice machine subscriptions in the industry. Since Easy Ice was founded, the number of ice machines under its management has grown to over 30,000 units across 47 states, with no signs of slowing down.
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