The holidays inspire people to bring out things they reserve for special occasions: the nice dishes, decorations and recipes recreated only for the holidays. “Adult” beverages are no different. The old standbys just don’t seem to cut it when the occasion is festive. You can do it in little ways: To kick up after-dinner coffee beyond that occasional splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream, add some amaretto Disaronno and Kahlua or some vanilla-flavored cognac such as Navan, like Applebee’s restaurant does with its Cafe Magic and Cafe Navan. Or, you can really change things up with a drink like TGI Friday’s Mistletoe Martini and Espo’s Trattoria’s vodka-based Grinch.

 The martini is an anything-goes kind of cocktail. Nearly anyone can find a martini they like — and for some of us it’s more than one. Originally a gin-and-vermouth combination, there are now many vodka- and gin-based variations of this drink to choose from, and each flavor is its own mini-celebration in a glass. Take TGI Friday’s Mistletoe (see recipe) or Pumpkin martinis (using vanilla vodka and pumpkin liquor), both winter-themed versions that look as festive as they taste. Not into pumpkin or anything citrus? They also offer Pink Punk and Lemon Twist martinis, both of which are made with real cotton candy and, surprisingly, not as sweet as they sound; really refreshing.

Espo’s Trattoria in Lewiston has been serving The Grinch, a vodka-based, green melon-flavored drink with a hint of lemon-lime (see recipe). Chad Kordalski, a bartender for the restaurant, says the North Star (super-chilled Captain Morgan’s spiced rum and honey in a glass rimmed with honey, cinnamon and brown sugar) is also a popular choice, but one of his favorites is the Carrot Cake Martini, made with vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, cinnamon schnapps and butterscotch schnapps.

At Fishbone’s, just around the corner, bartender Sarah Proulx says champagne drinks like mimosas (champagne and orange juice) and Kir Royales (made with the black current liquor crème de cassis) are hot this year. What better way to ring in the new year than with a glass of champagne that is as dressed up as you are? The restaurant also serves a white cranberry Cosmopolitan martini, crisp and refreshingly delicious.

“Who doesn’t love holiday drinks,” said Proulx. “In general, someone is looking for a fancier drink around this time than their usual cocktail.”

Josh Cannady, bar manager at Fuel restaurant in Lewiston, says classic martinis are big right now. Sapphire and Grey Goose vodkas to be exact. A more seasonal drink that Cannady says he enjoys is the apple crisp martini: Van Gogh apple vodka, butterscotch schnapps, apple cider and a dash of cinnamon — a martini more like a dessert than a drink, and what’s wrong with that?

Getting your holiday celebration on at Club Texas in Auburn tends to include more of people’s favorites like Long Island ice teas and domestic beer, says one of the club’s bartenders, Angela Robinson. But she’s ready with a few holiday tastes should someone ask, like a wintry version of a white Russian, adding Dr. McGillicuddy’s vanilla schnapps. Ryan Martin, also a bartender at the club, says he enjoys a hot apple pie martini, complete with cinnamon sugar on the rim of the glass (see recipe).

No matter where or how you choose to celebrate this holiday season, there’s bound to be a special drink that adds to your festivities. So enjoy, raise your glass in a toast to the new year, tip your waitstaff and bartenders, and ALWAYS use a designated driver if your drink contains alcohol.

And if you’re really not sure what to order for a holiday concoction, just trust your bartender. Let them know what you like and what you don’t, and they’ll take it from there. It’s the easiest way to get a great drink when you can’t seem to narrow down the choices.

“Trust your bartender,” said Aaron Ouellette, general manager at TGI Friday’s in Auburn. “They aren’t going to sell you something you won’t like.”

Quinn Tukey, dining room manager at Fishbones American Grill, makes a White Cranberry Cosmo.

The White Cranberry Cosmo from Fishbones American Grill in Lewiston.

The Grinch Martini from Espo’s in Lewiston.

Holiday celebration tips

• To get the very best-tasting adult beverage, be sure to specify what brand of alcohol you want. Most bars will make cocktails with “well” liquor — lower-priced brands — unless the drink specifically calls for a brand name or you request it.

• Pre-plan transportation. There is NO excuse for driving impaired, so be sure to either secure a designated driver or call a taxi. Nothing ruins a holiday celebration like getting arrested or seriously hurt. Don’t drink and drive.

Feeling adventurous? Try these recipes at home.

Hot apple pie martini

1 ounce vanilla vodka
1 ounce sour apple or apple pucker liqueur
3 ounces warm apple cider (not juice)
Mix 3 tablespoons of castor sugar (very fine sugar) with 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the rim
Lemon juice for the rim

Dip the rim of the glass in the lemon juice and then coat in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Mix remaining ingredients and enjoy.

The Grinch

2 ounces Midori liquor
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
Sliced lemons and limes
Maraschino cherries (optional)
Green-colored sugar

Rim the glass with lemon juice and dip into colored sugar. Combine Midori, vodka, lemon juice and sugar into a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and pour into glass. Garnish.

Mistletoe Martini

2 ounces vodka
2 ounces orange juice
3 ounces cranberry tea, chilled
3/4 ounce lemon juice
3 teaspoons sugar

Gluwein

This spiced wine has been enjoyed in Germany for generations and, much like mulled wine, it is served hot during Yuletide celebrations. 

8 cups dry red wine
½ cup sugar
8 sticks of cinnamon
4 slices of orange
1 tablespoon lemon juice
12 whole cloves

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Strain before serving.

For a flaming version of gluwein go to http://op-expat.com/2008/11/gluwein-recipe/

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