This winter season invites us to slow down, savor our meals, and share our drinks.
The holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is abundant with family recipes, laughter that lingers in the air, and the shared ritual of gathering. As a part of this celebration, we’re pairing courses with cocktails designed to complement the flavors of the holidays. Joseph Magnus Bourbon and Vigilant District Dry Gin offer rich, complex profiles that stand alongside all the classics like roasted turkey, caramelized sides, and wintery spiced desserts. Below are five cocktails for the holiday feast—from the first toast to the final slice of pie.
Autumn Reverence
Pair With: Buttery appetizers, roasted nuts, soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.
- 2 oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon Whiskey
- .75 oz Amontillado sherry
- .5 oz spiced pear syrup
- 2 dashes black walnut bitters
- Orange peel, clove-studded, garnish
In a mixing glass with ice, add all the ingredients and stir until well chilled. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a clove-studded orange peel.
Pumpkin Whiskey Cream
Pair With: Pumpkin pie, chocolate torte, roasted nuts
- 4 oz condensed milk
- 8 oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon Whiskey
- 3 oz Kahlúa
- 3 oz coffee creamer
- 4 oz cream or milk
- 3 tablespoons instant coffee powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- Whipped cream, garnish
Gently heat the condensed milk, coffee creamer, cream or milk, instant coffee powder, cocoa powder, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin purée in a small saucepan, stirring just until combined. Do not boil. Set aside to cool completely in the refrigerator. Once chilled, stir in the bourbon and Kahlúa until fully incorporated. Pour into martini glasses and garnish with a generous topping of whipped cream.
Maple & Smoke Old Fashioned
Pair With: Roasted ham, stuffing, gravy, charred vegetables.
- 2 oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon Whiskey
- .25 oz smoked maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 dash chocolate bitters
- Torch-smoked cinnamon stick, garnish
In an Old Fashioned glass, add bourbon, smoked maple syrup, and bitters over a large ice cube. Stir gently. Garnish with a torch-smoked cinnamon stick.
Cranberry Nightfall
Pair With: Sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, fruit-forward dishes.
- 1.5 oz Vigilant District Dry Gin
- .75 oz cranberry reduction
- .5 oz blanc vermouth
- .25 oz rosemary syrup
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Candied cranberry skewer, garnish
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe. Garnish with a candied cranberry skewer.
Harvested Ember
Pair With: Pumpkin pie, pecan tart, caramel desserts.
- 1.5 oz Joseph Magnus Bourbon Whiskey
- .75 oz Madeira wine
- .5 oz pumpkin spice syrup
- 1 dash absinthe
- Freshly grated nutmeg, garnish
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a small stemmed glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
This winter season invites us to slow down, savor generously, and share thoughtfully. Each cocktail honors the meals and moments that define this holiday—pairings crafted to complement the plate, engage the senses, and round out the memory of a gathering well spent. Whether you lead with the elegance of gin or finish with the warmth of bourbon, let the spirit of craftsmanship carry through every glass lifted in gratitude.
