November 4, 2024
As the holidays approach, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends doing what we love most—sharing delicious food, great whiskey, delicious cocktails and good times.
To lighten your holiday to-do list, we put together some of our favorite holiday gifts, cocktails and whiskey pairings to take your celebration to the next level. Consider this your manual to becoming the holiday host with the most.
Are you new to whiskey culture or mixology? Not to worry! Our tips and suggestions are designed for simplicity so you can work less and enjoy time with your guests.
Cocktail Recommendations
We recommend choosing cocktails that can be batched and made in advance. That way when your guests arrive, all you’ll have to do is pour and enjoy alongside them. Here are a couple of our holiday whiskey drink favorites.
Great Jones Classic Manhattan
Nothing tastes more like the holidays than a Great Jones Manhattan! Multiply the recipe by the number of drinks and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Glassware: Coupe Glass
Recipe
2 oz Great Jones Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 brandied cherry (for garnish)
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass or shaker with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a cherry. When batching, mix ingredients without ice, stir well, and store in a closed container in the fridge. When it’s time to pour, measure out three ounces per glass and add the cherry.
Empire State Cobbler
A tall, festive Empire State Cobbler is a welcome treat at any gathering. When batching this cocktail, omit the apple slices from the batch and add it last when assembling the drink.
Glassware: Double Old Fashioned Glass
Recipe
2 oz Great Jones Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz apple cider
½ oz fresh lemon juice, strained
½ oz Orgeat syrup (such as Fee Brothers)
1 dehydrated apple slice
nutmeg for grinding
Combine all ingredients (except apple slides and nutmeg) in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into an ice-filled double old fashioned glass. Grate nutmeg on top and garnish with a dehydrated apple slice.
Whiskey Pairings
Whiskey is the ideal holiday spirit – and nothing is more perfect to enjoy alongside a cozy fire or at a festive party. Whether your group includes whiskey connoisseurs, whiskey newbies, or a cross-section of both, Great Jones Distilling Co. has all the right stuff to impress.
For those new to whiskey, introduce them to Great Jones Straight Bourbon neat or on the rocks. Great Jones Rye Whiskey is another bar staple you can’t overlook. Our Rye is as impressive on its own as it is versatile in a cocktail, adding spicy, malty layers to your favorites.
Whiskey also pairs very well with all kinds of holiday food, amping up the flavor in remarkable ways. We’ve covered cocktail, aperitif, and social hour, but what dishes can you serve to pair with the whiskey?
When pairing whiskey and food, consider the whiskey’s style to find a perfect match.
A peated whiskey, like Great Jones Peated Scotch Cask Bourbon, pairs well with dishes that have a citrus element. Think along the menu lines of lemon-poached shrimp, duck a l’orange, and silky lemon meringue pie for dessert. While you can’t order this Peated Scotch Cask Bourbon online, you can always visit us at the distillery and pick up a bottle! Better yet, book a VIP Tour and unlock unprecedented access into our whiskey distilling operation – plus a tasting of our Distillery Exclusive Peated Scotch Cask Bourbon.
Sweeter whiskies, like our Empire Edition Straight Bourbon, are best when serving food that’s on the spicy side. The sweetness reduces the heat nicely!
A full-bodied whiskey like Great Jones Four Grain Straight Bourbon plays well with roasted meat and game, but if you’re serving turkey, think about doing a smoked bird and whipping up a whiskey gravy to tie it all together.
For all the pumpkin pie, mince pie, and pecan pie enthusiasts, a glass of Great Jones Straight Bourbon is never out of place.
You might also consider an after-dinner cocktail, like a Classic Old Fashioned or our New York twist on an Irish Coffee:
In a coffee mug, add 2 oz of Great Jones Straight Bourbon and a teaspoon of sugar (to taste), fill with steaming hot coffee and top with fresh whipped cream. Now that’s the holiday spirit!
Be sure to stock up on rocks glasses so you’re ready to indulge everyone’s preferences. Do note that some of the whiskies mentioned are distillery-only editions but the basic principles can be applied to any whiskey. For example, Scotch whiskey is typically peated and makes an excellent stand-in if you can’t come to our Manhattan bottle shop.
Holiday Entertaining Tips
Now that you’ve sorted your libations, it’s time to focus on ambiance. Beyond whiskey, here are a few things you’ll need to set up your back bar:
More Party Essentials
- Cigar flask because cigars and whiskey are the perfect party companions
- Candles to set the mood, Great Jones style
- Big candles make a statement on your bar or holiday table
gifting
We’d wager you’re probably attending more parties than you’re giving, and you don’t want to show up empty-handed. If you are thinking about bringing a special whiskey gift, choosing from the Great Jones Whiskey Collection is the perfect way to show your gratitude and spread some holiday cheer.
For the cocktail lovers on your list, any of the accessories or items listed above would be a unique whiskey gift idea.
And for those of you with huge families or friend groups looking for a place to host your private event during the holidays, Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan is the perfect spot. Speak to us today about your preferred dates, and we’ll put together a whiskey-themed holiday event that’s as elegant as it is fun for all.
