Now that your gift conundrum is solved, go get a drink. Depending on your stomping grounds, here are four cocktails from four different parts of town that have kept us merry this season:
Winter is Coming at Salt: Winter technically arrived last week, but there’s no need to stop that from celebrating its arrival tonight. The hot buttered rum riff at this Central West End restaurant will warm you up and offer comfort for the dollars that have left your pocketbook because you are such a generous gift giver.
No. 0 at Little Country Gentleman: Rum infused with Chinese five spice. Good idea. Add Velvet Falernum, apply syrup, bitters and lime. Better idea. These cold weather flavors, with a slight tartness, will keep you alert even though you are totally safe in Clayton.
The Yukon Breakfast at BC’s Kitchen: This fabulous, fortifying flip consisting of whiskey, spiced maple syrup and egg in a bacon powder-rimmed glass is the post-shopping drink for the folks who camp out overnight in front of retail stores. You’re the ones with the stamina to drive all the way to Lake Saint Louis for a drink.
High Rise at Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood : You’re living high with Woodford Reserve bourbon, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, vanilla bean simple syrup and a 2-inch cube of applewood smoked ice. Nothing less than the best at this downtown restaurant.
This article appears in December 2012.