Cheers to cheer!
This Christmas season, these 5 bars can help you get your Blitzen on
In the Calendar section, get the scoop on local bars that are offering holiday-themed cocktails and drinks sure to warm you up this season. Plus, take a look back at theme-park attractions that closed this year, a review of James Franco’s latest movie “The Disaster Artist,” film listings and more.
Seeing family from far away. Sharing moments and swapping recipes with friends. The presents. The smiling. Let’s face it: The holidays are a lot easier to take with alcohol. One can’t simply expect joy to well up from noelwhere. So Orlando Sentinel reporters Lauren Delgado and Trevor Fraser set out to find Central Florida’s holiday spirits.
At bars all over the Orlando metro area, mixologists are throwing flavors in their drinks and decorations on their walls to crush everyone’s inner Grinch. Here are five locations making a Christmas effort.
As always, make sure you have a reliable sleigh to get home in via a friend, taxi or Uber/Lyft. Don’t land yourself on the naughty list.
Miracle on Orange (Courtesy Bar)K
Yuletide cheer has invaded downtown Orlando’s esteemed Courtesy Bar through Dec. 24. That means holiday decor and music right out of a classic Christmas movie, along with some irreverently named cocktails.
Lauren: I sipped on the Jingle Bell Nog ($11), a more savory (and green) version of the Christmas treat thanks in part to peanut butter, almond milk and pandan (a green sweet, bright-tasting Asian herb). Cognac and amontillado sherry turn it decidedly not kid-friendly. My last word of advice: Look out for that Naughty shot ($5) made with bourbon and cinnamon. It’s only a hair short of being a cinnamon challenge.
Trevor: I warmed myself with a hot mug of Bad Santa ($11, above), a rich and spicy take on mulled wine. This whole menu is appetizing just to read. If I could afford to savor one of these creations every night, I would forgive all the stores that put out Christmas decorations in October. And the Nice shot ($5), the reverse of Naughty, was simply delicious and unchallenging with rum, chocolate and peppermint.
Go: 14 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; thecourtesybar.com