Must-Try Cocktails of the Season
By Chelsea Chambers
Photos by Kimberlee Miller
The year is winding down and you have been working hard. The New Year is right around the corner and now it’s time to relax for the holidays…yes, imagine that—actually relaxing for the holidays!
But truly, let’s all vow to have a happy, healthy, and most of all, relaxed holiday season. Don’t worry—you’ll get to everyone on your shopping list, the honey ham will turn out delicious, and everything will fall into place before the New Year. In order for all of this to happen, we have to ensure that we are taking time for ourselves. It’s important that we find ways to combat the stress and negativity, and sometimes the perfect remedy for that is a delicious, hand-crafted cocktail.
So, grab a friend or meet up with family and celebrate what the holiday season is truly about: spending time with loved ones.
Bardenay
Bardenay was a term used by sailors that loosely translates into the word ‘cocktail.’ And Bardenay took that and ran by creating their own distillery. They distill, in-house, their own gin, rum, vodka, lemon vodka, and a variety of liqueurs which only adds that much more love and flavor into their cocktail list.
Stop in to one of their three locations today! (Eagle off State Street, Downtown Boise, or Coeur D’Alene if you’re in the north).
And check out some of their delicious cocktails today, like these:
Autumn Night – Bailey’s, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Frangelico, coffee, bar cream, and a cinnamon stick.
Desert Rose – Chambord, Malibu coconut rum, prickly pear cactus syrup, Whaler’s vanilla rum, fresh squeezed orange juice and bar cream.
Bella Aquila
Bella Aquila, located off Rivershore Lane in Eagle, is a great place to stop in for a drink and a quick bite. Or a few drinks and a full meal—just be sure to designate a driver, because you’ll definitely want to try several of their tasty cocktails. They are open for brunch (on Sundays), lunch, and dinner and offer an exceptional lineup of delicious Italian fine dining.
Be sure to try one of their amazing cocktails, such as:
Cran-Rita – Camarena Silver Tequila, fresh cranberry reduction, cranberry juice, fresh-made house lime sour, garnished with a candied and salted pecan rim.
The Apple of My Eye – Jim Beam Vanilla Bourbon, Courvoisier Cognac, spiced apple cider, sparkling wine float, garnished with a cinnamon spiced apple cider rim.
Oak Barrel of Eagle
Located on East Winding Creek Drive, Oak Barrel delivers “culinary excellence and internationally inspired cuisine.” Not only do they have an incredible selection of food, wine, and cocktails, but they also have specials nearly every day of the week! Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal on Mondays after 5 pm. Wine Wednesdays offer $2 off wine all day long. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention their DJ Dance Party Karaoke on Friday nights from 8:30 to midnight!
Oh, and seriously tasty cocktails:
Firecracker Coco – Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, and hot chocolate.
Irish Dream – Jameson Whiskey, coffee, crème anglaise, nutmeg, and whipped cream.
Rice Contemporary Asian Cuisine
Rice has a huge menu filled with Asian-fusion options that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Seriously. Located on East Plaza Drive, Rice has something for every palate. Whether you’re craving noodles, rice, vegetables, sushi…the list goes on and on.
And not to mention their bartender, Major Ludwig, won Best Bartender this year, and of course, their Black Rose cocktail won Best Unique Cocktail. And for good reason! Their drink menu is unstoppable!
Here are some of their amazing drinks:
White Holiday Mojito – Mint, sugar, Bacardi Rum, Malibu Rum, coconut milk, sparkling water, and cranberries. Garnished with cranberry and mints.
Cranberry Apple Sipper – Muddled orange and cranberries, fresh orange juice, cranberry juice, ginger beer, vodka. (Photo: Copper mug)
Bourbon Apple Sipper- Fresh honeycrisp apples, apple cider, fresh lemon juice, Vermont maple syrup, and Makers Mark bourbon, garnished with sliced apple. (Photo: Sliced apple garnish)
Bourbonchada – Makers Mark Bourbon, Rumchada, dash of cinnamon and thyme sprig.
(Photo: Thyme sprig garnish)
Rembrandts
A staple of Eagle, Rembrandts delicious food and beverage menu is absolutely mouth-watering. From their incredible breakfast and brunch options to fresh and tasty lunch choices, Rembrandts is guaranteed to satisfy.
Located on South Eagle Road, Rembrandts is a must-stop on your mission for yummy drinks or a bite to share with loved ones.
We highly recommend the creamy and delightful, Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer: Orange juice, cherry, a hint of vanilla, finished with Prosecco.
