It’s the holiday season and to enjoy it to the fullest, why not sip on some of the season’s best flavors? To help you do just that, here’s a guide to some of Philly’s most festive sippers in 2023.
Bolo
Bolo is serving up a traditional Puerto Rican favorite for the 2023 holiday season. Their coquito cocktail ($16) is comprised of Don Q 151 Rum, Don Q Gold Rum, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk, housemade winter spiced coconut cream (star anise, allspice, cinnamon and clove), and grated nutmeg. For those who aren’t into the spirited version, Bolo is also selling a non-alcoholic sipper for the season.
2025 Sansom St., bolophl.com
Butcher Bar
Center City’s Butcher Bar is in full swing with their holiday pop-up, the Yule Whiskey Lodge. While here, guests can sip on many spirited options including the Winter Paradise ($14), made with pineapple spiced rum, tequila, pear liqueur, pineapple simple syrup, lemon, coconut cream, vanilla bitters, and nutmeg served in a moose-shaped glass or the hot mulled wine ($12), comprised of red wine, brandy, orange, lemon, cinnamon, allspice, clove, and vanilla bean served hot.
Butcher Bar is also serving up a Shotski ($18/$36) with two or four shots made up of Shanky’s Whip Liqueur, and Baileys served on a ski.
2034 Chestnut St., butcherbarphilly.
Dock Street Brewing Company
Dock Street Brewing Company in Fishtown has transformed into ‘Dock the Halls’, a new holiday pop-up that will be open until Dec. 31. While there, guests can enjoy a “healthy dose of holiday cheer with a nightly showing of classic holiday movies, festive cocktails and themed decor.”
Seasonal cocktails include the Mogwai for Sale ($14) with vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and peppermint simple syrup, the Happy Honda Dayz ($14) made with blood orange infused gin, lemon juice and topped off with champagne, the Merry Chrysler ($14) made with mezcal, sweet vermouth and aperitivo, and a few more spirited options.
1229 N Front St., dockstreetbeer.
The Dutch
While at The Dutch for dinner, diners can enjoy a slew of holiday sippers. Highlights span the Sugar Plum Fairy, a “riff on the gin sour” comprised of gin, housemade grenadine, Campari, lemon, and sugar, the Charlie Brown fashioned made with whiskey, Bénédictine, and walnut bitters, the Clarice prepared with gin, Crème de Cocoa, and cream, and the Frostbite comprised of cognac, Crème de Menthe, and an absinthe rinse.
1537 S 11th St., thedutchphilly.com
Red Owl Tavern
While at Red Owl Tavern, Philadelphians can sip on the Snow Globe ($17), made with peaflower and blue glitter-infused Tres Generaciones Tequila, Licor 43, lime juice, falernum, and orgeat then garnished with a lime zest, the Slippery Sloep ($16) boasting a pink peppercorn-infused gin blend, rosemary simple syrup, lemon, and egg white, and the Holiday Cheermeister ($17) made with a mezcal and a tequila blend of winter spiced cranberry, and lime juice, topped off with some ginger beer.
433 Chestnut St., redowltavern.com
The Cauldron’s Magical Hot Chocolate Experience
The Cauldron Philadelphia offers locals the chance to experience “magical” food and drink elements (plus, potion-making classes) with every visit. But recently, the venue has added a new element to its line-up: The Magical Hot Chocolate Experience. The activation features cast iron cauldrons, flights of mini hot chocolates, and locked wizard chests of toppings that open by tapping on them through a “spell” with your wand.
The Cauldron will also be hosting weekly events, many of which are holiday-themed (they’re also introducing a new red and green “potion” for the occasion) and interested Philadelphians can find a full schedule of events online.
1305 Locust St., thecauldron.io/philly
