Forget Santa. Unless that jolly fat man leaves you a stocking full of Zoloft, he’s the last person who can help you when mall crowds, escalating credit card bills and cold, slushy sidewalks leave you with a nasty case of the holiday blues.
What you need is a drink. Most bartenders have a favorite concoction to put the jingle back in your sleigh bells. We’ve asked a few to share their best spirit-lifting spirits for the holidays.
Marau Martini, $8
Avenue bartender James Brown’s upcoming Hawaiian vacation plans inspired him to create this libation for his customers who won’t be fortunate enough to tag along. The name means “pleasure” in the lingua franca of the South Pacific, which seems fitting for this frothy twist on a Cosmopolitan. Brown uses Tanqueray gin (instead of vodka), fresh lime juice and cranberry and pineapple juice. “It helps put your mind on an island somewhere, even though your butt may be on a bar stool in Chicago.” 2916 N. Broadway. 773-975-7000.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, $6
So you may not be Audrey Hepburn. You can still have your Breakfast at Tiffany’s, even if it happens to be the house favorite at Lakeview’s Joy-Blue. Served in your choice of a Collins or pint glass ($2 more), the drink includes Absolut Mandarin, Stoli Raspberry, lemonade, cranberry juice and a splash of 7-Up. With a flavor similar to a Sweet Tart, bartender Andy Marsh says this is the house cure for those who need a drink that will help them get their mind off the holiday hullabaloo. “I’ve tried every cordial, every vodka, every rum. This does the trick every time.” 3998 N. Southport Ave. 773-477-3330.
Devil’s Cocktail, $8.50
If your Christmas has taken a Dickensian turn this year, Artful Dodger has a drink that owner and bartender Brian Friedler swears would put a smile on the face of Scrooge himself. Though the Devil’s Cocktail might sound better suited to Halloween, Fiedler says this sophisticated blend of port wine and sweet vermouth served straight up is the perfect wintertime pick-me-up. “It’s got enough herb flavor to balance out the sweetness. It’s a very concentrated fruit flavor with a little spice.” 1734 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-6859.
Rumplemintz and Godiva, $6
Looking for a creamy Christmas kick? The folks behind the bar at Blu, Lincoln Park’s late-night dance club, have a shot of holiday cheer. Bartender Krista Rossman told us that when she wants to help a customer snap out of a funk, she mixes up a shot with equal parts light and dark Godiva Liqueur and Rumplemintz–the Altoids of booze. Though the shot is popular year-round, Rossman says the mix of cream, chocolate and mint flavors make it a very appealing way to squelch your inner Grinch. 2247 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-549-5884.
Weekend Getaway, $6
When he watches frazzled holiday shoppers stumble into his bar after a hard day of lugging packages up and down Michigan Avenue, McCormick & Schmick’s bartender Craig Cracchiolo mixes them this drink. The warm cocktail is a mind-calming blend of Disaronno Amaretto, Malibu Rum and coffee poured over a sugar cube. (Weekday afternoon shoppers in need of a bargain can get another boost from the $1.95 menu, available from 3 to 6 p.m.) 41 E. Chestnut St. 312-397-9500.
