Make a toast to friends, family and loved ones with Spirits of the Season, a five-week holiday cocktail competition in Downtown Phoenix Nov. 29 through Dec. 17. Create a festive happy hour after work or turn a normal Saturday into a fabulous self-guided cocktail tour. Sample all 11 holiday-inspired concoctions at participating Downtown bars and restaurants and pick your favorite. Voting begins Nov. 29 and the winner is announced Dec. 18. All drinks are available until Jan. 1, 2015.
Vote here for Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail 2014.
Catch a Fire
Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails at Hotel Palomar, $8
10 Cane Rum, coconut cream, allspice dram, cinnamon syrup and grated nutmeg.
The Dirty Snowman
Copper Blues, $10
Baileys Irish Cream, Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlúa, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and cream. Garnished with carrot, mint, chocolate and cinnamon.
Rudolph’s Redemption Cider
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, $9
Redemption Rye, ginger beer, orange bitters, lemon juice and homemade hard apple cider over holiday ice cubes made with rosemary and maraschino cherries.
South Central Nog-Out
The Duce, $10
Crusoe Organic Spiced Rum, egg nog, Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Pumpkinpalooza
Hard Rock Cafe, $8.25
Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream and simple syrup infused with pumpkin puree.
R Merry Cocoa
Icon Lounge at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, $9
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, peppermint schnapps, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of crème de menthe and candy cane sprinkles.
Santajito Mojito
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, $8
Three Olive Raspberry Vodka, fresh raspberries, fresh lime, muddled mint leaves, Sun Orchard Margarita Mix and a splash of Sprite.
Frosted Mistletoe
Province at Westin Phoenix Downtown, $9
Peppermint schnapps, Midori Melon Liqueur, Prosecco sparkling wine and a Bing cherry served in a sugar-rimmed champagne glass.
Snowtini
Squid Ink Sushi, $9
Vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, hazelnut liqueur, milk, cinnamon, homemade salted caramel and topped with toasted marshmallows.
Almond Joyful
The Strand Urban Italian, $8
Malibu coconut flavored rum, chocolate, caramel and cream.
Kentucky Kringle
1130 The Restaurant, $10
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon, spiced turbinado syrup made in-house and chocolate bitters.