By Chris Murphy
Well the weather outside is frightful, but cocktail season can still be delightful. America is going to learn what Europe has known all along; outside dining and café seating is part of our year-round experience now. We call it #cafelife. As we get into winter, we look for some of those amazing holiday drinks that can keep your spirits bright and even warm up and chilly evening. Our local restaurants and bars are custom making some great treats that will for sure warm up your night and your insides. Here are just a few tasty treats that will make your spirits bright. If you find others you love, tag us at @modestoview so we can share the treats.
Year Round Favorite – Ralston’s Goat Irish Coffee
This is truly a Modesto Hall of Fame. Based on the traditional Buena Vista from San Francisco, the Goat takes the fresh whipped cream to a new level and this traditional Irish Whiskey, coffee, lump of sugar and fresh whipped cream is amazing. Some days, they will even do a cinnamon whipped cream and other holiday flavors. Do not miss out on this whipped cream treat. You can start the day or end your dinner with the Apple Caramel Mimosa. This is Apple Pucker Butterscotch and caramel shaken over ice then poured into champagne or wine glass, topped with champagne in a caramel, cinnamon and sugar rimmed glass. Apple wedge partially dipped in caramel. Thanks to Ralston’s Goat for being Modesto’s home to live music in this unusual year. Learn more at @ralstonsgoat
Tresetti’s
One thing for sure, the Tresetti’s bar never lets you down. In addition to the amazing food there is a long family tradition of great cocktails and hospitality. Jordan Maisetti presents us with a great father and son cocktail offering. One of Mitch Maisetti’s favorite winter drinks was a Hot Buttered Rum. This is an amazing treat, that starts with ice cream, winter spices mixed up with spiced rum and hot water and topped with whipped cream. This tasty rum warms your bones and feels like you should be Apres Ski at Bear Valley. Jordan Maisetti has create a hot apple pie that tastes as good as it sounds. A special mix of red and green apples and blended with spices and aged. Mashed up and then mostly filtered to give a cool texture and warmed, added to spiced rum and serve warm, you have Jordan’s Hot Apple Pie. These pair great with Tresettis appetizers.
www.tresetti.com
Fuzio’s – GrinchTini and Jingle Juice
This is flat out one of my holiday favorites anywhere. The minute you order a GrinchTini, you feel festive. It is so delicious with vodka base and a hint of Crème de Menthe with a cool red sugar rim you can’t help but love it. Your heart will grow 10 times, just like the Grinch. Also don’t miss Gina’s special Jingle Juice with cranberries. The cocktail experience at Fuzio feels so festive and thanks to Thomas and Gina for all of their holiday event support. Check out these and the full menu at www.fuzio.com
Divine Swine – Homemade Egg Nog
Nestled into Roseburg Square, one of Modesto most popular BBQ places is also home to one of Modesto’s best brunches. Robert Wilson and his crew have created a house made three-month aged egg-nog that will be available in limited quantities this season with a few lucky able to purchase a growler sized container for $30. This egg-nog is fantastic, rich, creamy with a wonderful brandy, rum and nutmeg flavor. Not only is it amazing, but it packs a good punch too for a perfect cold evening drink poured neatly into a Wally World Moose mug, something that Robert and I both appreciated the same as our Christmas Vacation holiday traditions. If you have some time, spend an afternoon and learn from Robert about great Scotch Whiskeys.
www.divineswinebarandgrill.com
BauHaus
Everything Tye Bauer serves is hand crafted. For this holiday season, he is working on a spiked cider that had not yet been completed at the time we went to press. But for sure, you need to check out his creation at BauHaus. @bauhaus209
P. Wexford’s
Don’t think that the Irish don’t want in on a special holiday cocktail treat. You need to try the Irish Elf at P. Wexford’s Pub. Created by Stephenie Dillon, this is a tasty Jameson Irish Whiskey, Apple Schnapps, Sweet n Sour, Cherry garnish Not only to they have this delicious treat, they also serve an excellent Irish Coffee Learn more @pwexfords
Follow @ModestoView on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to see more great holiday cocktail, food, event and décor ideas. Message us if your house is all decorated so we can share it with our followers.
