We hit the road right here in town this week to get the local skinny on some holiday drink ideas. Stopping at a handful of places on both sides of the river, we asked bartenders for their favorite drinks – be they festive or just straight-forward. Here are the results:

Lewiston

Barnie’s Place

Bar & Grill Restaurant

1065 Sabattus St., Lewiston, 786-3006

Owner and bartender Roseann Roy said a Mai Tai is one of her favorite festive beverages. She prefers to use Mr. & Mrs. T’s Mai Tai mix and add a splash of triple sec, but can also whip one up from scratch. $5.50

Mai Tai

In a pint glass filled with ice:

4 fingers of rum (any kind will do)

Fill rest of glass with Mai Tai mix

Add a splash of triple sec and garnish with a lime wedge or orange slice



Buddy T’s

675 Main St. (Marketplace Mall), Lewiston, 753-1446

Buddy T himself recommended one of his house cocktails, “jungle juice,” for the holidays. He even changed the name to “jingle juice” for the occasion. Order one of these rum delights for $6.

Jingle Juice

Equal amounts over ice:

White rum

Malibu rum

Orange juice

Pineapple juice

Add a splash of grenadine to top it off.



Gridiron Restaurant & Sports Pub

1567 Lisbon St., Lewiston, 777-6353

There are a number of holiday drink specials on the menu here, but bartender Crystal Palange would take a margarita over a merry martini any day. $5.50

Margarita

Rim glass with salt and add equal amounts over ice:

Tequila

Triple sec

Sour mix



Margaritas

838 Lisbon St., Lewiston, 782-6036

This festive margarita tastes just like SweeTarts candy, said bartender Josh Cannady. He wasn’t lying. $6.95

Heavens to Margatroid

2 1/5 oz. tequila

2 oz. Blue Curacao

1/8 oz. Razzmatazz Raspberry Liqueur

1/8 oz. Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps

1/8 oz. Crantasia Cranberry Schnapps

1/8 oz. Grape Pucker Schnapps

1/8 oz. Mad Melon Pucker Schnapps



DaVinci’s

35 Canal St. (Bates Mill complex), Lewiston, 782-2088

Ask Lorraine Perite for a holiday drink and she pulls out all the stops. This candy cane was sweet in more ways than one. $6.50

Candy Cane

In a large glass mix over ice:

1.13 oz. Creme de Menthe

1.13 oz. Dr. McGillicuddy’s Peppermint Schnapps

1.13 oz. vodka

Top with 7 oz. milk

Garnish with whipped cream and crushed peppermint

Auburn

Gritty McDuff’s

68 Main St., Auburn, 376-2739

How could bartender Keli Young serve up anything other than a seasonal Christmas Ale at a brewpub? The recipe: sidle up to the bar and place your order. $4



The Ground Round Restaurant

180 Center St., Auburn, 784-1200

This spiffy drink was whipped up by bartender Jenn Place in a flash. “It’s my favorite one to make and everybody loves it because it’s layered,” she declared. $5.50

Sex with an alligator

In a martini glass, layer equal amounts of:

Midori Melon

Malibu Rum

Pineapple juice

Blue Curacao

Jagermeister

Grenadine



Pat’s Pizza of Auburn

85 Center St., Auburn, 784-8221

Dining room manager and bartender Kathy Hammond has a holiday favorite she dreamed up herself. She’s named it after Werther’s Original Candy because of its butterscotch flavor. $5

Werther’s

In a small glass over ice mix equal amounts:

Stohli Vanilla

Butterscotch schnapps

Add a splash of Tia Maria



Wei-Li Restaurant

945 Center St., Auburn, 344-0022

Owner Cam Luu doesn’t actually drink alcohol, but he still knows how to mix a mean drink. Scorpion Bowls are one of the most popular concoctions on his drink menu. $8.50

Scorpion Bowl

Get out a big bowl and mix over ice in equal amounts:

Amaretto

Southern Comfort

Sloe Gin

Dark Rum

Triple sec

Senator’s Club vodka

Grenadine