Bars & Nightlife Food, Restaurants & Dining Music & Events Spotlight Fara Illich December 23, 2014

courtneydistrict
For the third year in a row, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar takes home the award for Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail with Rudolph’s Redemption, a spicy whiskey and cider concoction that captures the essence of the season.
“I love the smell of cinnamon, apples and nutmeg and I love sitting around drinking whiskey with my family,” said Cortney Wilson, assistant manager of restaurants and bars at the District. “So why not put the two together?”
IMG_3126For Spirits of the Season, a five-week holiday cocktail competition in Downtown Phoenix, Wilson says she came up with the recipe based on flavors and ingredients she enjoys sharing with loved ones this time of year. With 55 percent of the vote, conducted by Facebook Poll, Rudolph’s Redemption certainly won people’s taste buds, if not their hearts and minds too.
Combining homemade spiked cider with notes of citrus and ginger, served over custom red and green ice cubes made with rosemary and maraschino cherries – the finished drink looks (and smells) just like Christmas.
“They love it – it’s been a top seller,” she said. “We’re excited to serve it and the bartenders love making it.”
As a trained chef, Wilson says she loves utilizing fresh herbs from the hotel’s fourth-floor garden and experimenting with custom bitters and syrups.
Just this week, District unveiled a brand new cocktail menu featuring classics like the Manhattan, made with chanterelle mushroom-infused bourbon and District’s version of a Moscow Mule, made with cranberry compote and ginger beer. There’s even a moonshine cocktail with fruit juices, sage, spice and everything nice. Think sophisticated flavor mixed with District’s signature American roots.
Stop in to try Rudolph’s Redemption or one of the other Spirits of the Season cocktails at participating bars and restaurants, available through Jan. 1, 2015.
Or come by the District to try something completely new from 11 a.m. to close Monday through Sunday at the bar. In addition to a new cocktail menu, the restaurant is  hosting a special dinner on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve with amazing menus for each night. Arizona wine pairings, specialty cocktails and a host of local craft beer is available on draft for an additional price.