Holiday Drinks - December 16, 2004

Here we are again, Thanksgiving is over and suddenly we are looking down the barrels of Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, you name it….everyone’s got something to fear. Hovering, looming, it’s on its way. I know I should be giddy, I should be feeling all of the magic in the air, but some things are missing; snow, youthful delusion, and the elusive holiday drink.
Egg Nog, Hot Toddies, Mulled Wine (Wassail), Glogg (Scandinavian spiced-wine punch with Brandy, almonds and raisins), Cider; what are the holidays without them? Personally, any of the above make my family gatherings a hell of a lot more palatable.
However, spending time out in the cold, hard wintery world of Christmas madness led me on a quest for the best place to decompress after a day of crowds and road rage. And what better way to decompress than with a good old fashioned holiday beverage? You won’t believe what I found. Nothing, nada, a few kind hearted bartenders offering to whip up something special, but no Christmas ciders, no winter toddies, not even a minted martini. How sad.
I started at the Blue Olive (since I love to shop downtown) and when I inquired as to what holiday drinks they might suggest was offered a White Cosmopolitan. It came with a cranberry, would that do? It worked for the moment, but was disappointing. I was still full of hope as I approached several downtown establishments, not a one serving anything remotely cheery. My spirits were slightly dampened, but I wasn’t giving up yet.
On a particularly taxing day at the mall, I pulled into the parking lot of TGI Friday’s thinking I would hit holiday drink pay dirt at this chipper place. I looked at the drink menu and lo and behold, nothing jolly at all! The waitress looked at me quizzically when I asked her if they served egg nog or perhaps a Peppermint Patty. She shook her head and handed me the bartender’s book of TGIF drinks. Again, I was left with nothing.
Starting to worry that I would not have a single referral for you readers, I dropped by the trusty Hob Nob, hoping bartender, Ryan, would hook me up. Indeed he did. Instead of a "huh?" in response to my question, I received a spiced rum and hot cider. Ah, yes, this will do nicely. For $4.00 I enjoyed a large mug of warm old fashioned winter goodness. I could literally feel my muscles relax.
Of course, I’m one girl, one girl with limited free time, so I can’t possibly hit every bar in town. With this in mind I was relegated to believing my only recommendation to the dear reader would be the Nob. But a wonderful thing happened on my way down 56th street.
Heading home from the mall, we passed the Brickyard on 56th and Washington. The place is huge, but feels warm and homey in the sectioned off bar. I asked the bartender my tiresome question, "So, do you have any holiday drinks?" Instead of the usual, "What?" I received an enthusiastic "Yes!". It’s beginning to feel a little like Christmas. Side note, if you haven’t been to the Brickyard….go! Guys, the bartenders alone are worth the trip. I’m a very straight chick, but the girls pouring drinks at the Brickyard are absolutely stunning and friendly too (hi Libby!). Owner, Nick, will pull up a chair and chat; and if you happen to hit this place on a Tuesday night you can hear from some remarkable local musicians at the open mic. I was lucky enough to hear from a Seattle-worthy alt country band called the Last Chance Romeos that blew me away. But I digress, back to my drink. Daytime bartender, Danielle, came up with a new holiday concoction she’s coined the Cocoa Minter Warmerland. I smile just hearing the name. This magical cocktail consists of 2 ounces Dark Crème de Cacao, 1 ounce vanilla liqueur, 1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream, and ½ ounce White Crème de Menthe poured into a coffee mug. The mixture is then topped with warm milk, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and a drizzle of green Crème de Menthe. Yum. So, next time you’re leaving the mall, feeling like an aneurism is just around the corner, drop by the Brickyard, kick back, breathe deep and let the Cocoa Minter Warmerland remind you of all the good the season has to offer.