Sippin’ in Style

It really is the most wonderful time of year. Think about it. You’ve got holiday parties galore (any party is fine by me), you can play Mariah Carey Christmas all day and you have the green light to gorge on those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kiss in the middle. And if you weren’t already suffering from sensory overload, in comes Chicago’s swankiest and coolest haunts in town offering luscious libations that will have you sippin’ in style.

Here are a few of my favorite things…
Martini Park (151 W. Erie) is channeling the Nutcracker this year. Viva la Sugar Plum Fairy! The Sugar Plum ($10) takes yummy Pearl plum vodka, a dash of sweet plum juice and a healthy dose of Goldschlager (a cinnamon flavored liquor with real flecks of gold) to create the sweet cocktail. The best part? It’s garnished with shiny hard rock candy (delish). The Ginger Snap ($10) blends Snow Queen vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Monin gingerbread syrup, cream and is topped off with a dash of cinnamon. Think of it as a spiked Gingerbread latte from Starbucks – only better.

Shopping at 900 North Michigan and looking for a place to kick up your feet? Every weekend in December, Le Colonial’s (937 N. Rush) bar opens at 3 p.m. for anyone in need of a quick pick-me-up. And if you’re anything like me, nothing puts you in the mood for a stiff drink than fighting crowds and pushing tourists out of the way as you walk down State Street. Pop into Le Colonial to defrost with delicious winter warm-ups like the Alexandre ($12) made with the rich Hennessy VS, dark creme de cacao, heavy cream and topped with nutmeg. The Chai Toddy ($12) incorporates spiced rum, a minty dash of Peppermint Schnapps, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, honey and hot Chai tea. If that’s not enough, opt for The Colonel ($12), Le Colonial’s take on the Kentucky Colonel made with Jim Beam bourbon, Benedictine and a dash of Angostura bitters.

If a low key wine bar is more your scene, Sola (3868 N. Lincoln) offers the Sola Hot Potato Toddy ($10). Seriously, it’s made with sweet potato, but mixed with Captain Morgan rum and vanilla whipped cream. That’s the beauty of Sola. Whether it’s their food menu or cocktail menu, blending unexpected ingredients to create a tasty treat is their forte. Try it, you’ll like it.
Tell your boss you’re entertaining clients, but call your best friend and meet her for a “working lunch” at Fulton’s on the River (315 N. LaSalle). You’ll go gaga over their Red Raspberry holiday martini made with gin, raspberries and fresh rosemary. The Fruit Cake is better than it sounds. Forget grandma’s recipe, this baby is made with seedless grapes and fresh cubed pineapple, then blended with vanilla and hazelnut liquor.
Want luxe for less? J Bar (610 N. Rush) has got it going on. They launch “Live Thursdays” on Dec. 4, where their resident DJ will mix eclectic tracks and play in tandem with a live group of emerging, local Chicago musicians (vocals by Typhanie Monique, Rick Gehrenbeck on keyboard and Chris Greene on the sax). Appetizers are FREE from 6-8 p.m. and 20%-off after that. And if you’re a babe on a budget, Snow Queen vodka cocktails are only $6 each. What’s more, you can revel in the holiday spirit by sipping on the Pumpkin Spice ($11), made with Absolut vanilla, Godiva white chocolate liqueur, pumpkin spice and a dollop of whipped cream. Or go for the Nutty Angel ($11), which takes the clean crisp taste of Ketel One, Frangelico (a hazelnut liqueur, thus the name of the drink), a dash of Bailey’s Irish cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.