The year may be coming to a close, but we wanted to leave you with some fun and festive cocktails to celebrate with on New Year's Eve (or any time of year, really!). Several local Fairfax County mixologists and bartenders have selected some of their favorite holiday cocktail recipes to share with you.
If you give these a try, be sure to share your photos and reviews with us on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax.
Happy New Year to you from all of us here at Visit Fairfax!
Wonderland
ENTYSE @ The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
1 oz. • Grey Goose Vodka
0.5 oz. • Chambord
0.5 oz. • Crème de Violette
0.5 oz. • Cranberry juice
Prosecco
Add a delegate sugar roll to the champagne flute. Combine all the ingredients in a shaker without the prosecco. Add ice, shake for about 10 seconds. Top off the champagne flute with prosecco. Serve!
ENTYSE, located on the lobby level of The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, invites guests to try a selection of worldly dishes, delicately crafted cocktails, and a luxury environment. Try this cocktail at home for the turn of the New Year, or better yet, try it in the restaurant and book a memorable weekend away at The Ritz-Carlton!
More about ENTYSE
More about The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner
Naughty or Nice
PassionFish (Reston)
2 oz. • Bourbon (bullet)
0.05 oz. • Pure Cranberry juice
0.05 oz. • Rosemary Brown Sugar Simple
Squeeze of 1 Lemon
2 dashes - Cranberry Bitters
Stir over rocks in a tin and strain over a specialty ice cube (4 cranberries and water filled half way in square cube and then freeze). Top with straight cranberry juice and a sprig of rosemary. Finish by torching the Rosemary Sprig for an added touch!
A local favorite for many years, PassionFish is known for its fresh seafood, seasonal menu items, and upscale environment. Try this fun holiday cocktail at home, and then head to their Reston Town Center location to try other signature creations.
Cin-Bord French 75
Caboose Tavern (Vienna)
0.25 oz. • Chambord
1 oz. • Gin
4 oz. • Champagne
Garnish: Dried lemon slice and cinnamon stick
Add the Chambord and Gin to a champagne glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish with dried lemon slice and cinnamon stick. The cinnamon reacts with the champagne, allowing it to release small bits of cinnamon as the garnish sits, making the drink more infused as you drink it!
Caboose Tavern and its sister location Caboose Commons are best known as local breweries, but also offer an array of coffees, cocktails, and full dining menus at both locations.
More on Caboose Tavern
More on sister site, Caboose Commons
Verde Spritz
Ocean Paradise Restaurant (Fairfax)
2 oz. • Melon liqueur
3 oz. • Prosecco
Club soda
Garnish: Strawberry heart and Mint
Combine all ingredients. Top with Club Soda. Garnish with sprig of mint and a heart-shaped strawberry.
This family-owned restaurant, centrally located in the Fairfax area, offers up a variety of fresh seafood options and a fun cocktail list. Try your hand at this seasonal offering or visit in the new year for more festive concoctions.
More on Ocean Paradise Restaurant
Ginger & Juice
Sixty Vines (Reston)
Image courtesy Sixty Vines, photo by Sarah Gher.
1.5 oz. • Bombay Dry Gin
.75 oz. • Cut Raw Honey
.75 oz. • Lime Juice
1 oz. • Cranberry Juice
3 dashes • Fee Bros. Cranberry Bitters
1 oz. • Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Shake all ingredients with ice, add 1 oz. Fever Tree Ginger Beer, and strain over ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with an activated rosemary sprig and half a dried fig on a pick.
Sixty Vines offers guests vineyard-inspired menus and hand-crafted cocktails, plus 60 wines on tap at the bar. Stop by to try this refreshing cocktail or try your hand at home.
Old Thymer
bartaco (Reston & Merrifield)
6 sprigs • thyme
2 wedges • lemon
1 wedge • orange
0.5 oz. • simple syrup
1.5 oz. • sweet vermouth
1.5 oz. • bourbon
3 dashes • angostura
garnish • 1 thyme sprig
Muddle thyme, lemon, orange, and simple syrup. Measure all other ingredients into shaker. Add ice, shake. Double strain into rocks glass with 4 ice cubes. Garnish with 1 thyme sprig.
There are two locations of bartaco in Fairfax County - one at Reston Town Center and one at the Mosaic District. Try this recipe at home and then head to either location to try a second. Pair it with their spicy homemade guacamole and fresh tacos for a delicious meal.
Trio Manhattan
TRIO Grill (Merrifield)
2 oz. • Open Road Distilling Co. Eagle Eye Rye Whiskey
1 oz. • Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes • Fee Brothers whiskey barrel-aged bitters
Add all ingredients into mixing glass with ice and stir for 20-30 seconds. Strain into Coupe glass and garnish with luxardo cherries.
Keep the holiday spirit flowing with this festive cocktail from TRIO Grill, using Whiskey from the new Open Road Distilling Co. based in Reston. Try your hand at home or order from the restaurant in Merrifield!
More about TRIO Grill
More about Open Road Distilling Co
Warming Toddy Cocktail
Mount Vernon Inn (Mount Vernon)
1.5 oz • George Washington’s Straight Rye Whiskey® per mug
1 tsp • honey per mug
1 • Lemon Ginger Hot Toddy Kit
1. Open the toddy kit and fill provided spice bag with about 1 tablespoon of spices, then securely tie with provided string.
2. Steep spices in boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove spice bags from the pot.
3. While spices are steeping, prepare your mugs by adding 1 teaspoon (more or less to taste) of honey and one shot of whiskey.
4. After removing spice bags, carefully pour the steeped liquid into each mug and stir with a cinnamon stick (provided in the toddy kit).
George Washington’s Straight Rye Whiskey is available from the Shops at Mount Vernon and the Lemon Ginger Hot Toddy Kit is available at Oliver Pluff's shop.
The Hot Toddy is a soothing tonic perfect for the cold winter months. Pair the Lemon Ginger kit with George Washington's original recipe for a trip back in time and a way to nod to the past during the turn of the year.
More about Mount Vernon Inn
More about George Washington's Mount Vernon
St. Nick's Spiced Old Fashioned
Urbano (Merrifield)
2 oz. • bourbon or rye whiskey
0.5 oz. • maple syrup
2 dashes • orange bitters
Garnish • orange peel and torched cinnamon stick
Combine ingredients. Stir. Garnish with orange peel and a cinnamon stick. Add some flair by torching the cinnamon stick.
Urbano Mexican Fare, at Mosaic District, has a menu inspired by the diverse flavors of Mexico but comes ready with an ever-changing cocktail and margarita list.
Hibiscus Margarita
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (Chantilly and Fairfax)
**Makes a pitcher
For the Syrup:
Sachet
Handful of Dry Hibiscus
1 • Cinnamon Stick
1 • Star Anise
1 • Bay Leaf
Pinch • Black Peppercorns
1 cup • water
0.5 cup • granulated sugar
1 oz. • lemon juice, freshly squeezed
For the Margarita:
375 ml • Lunazul Tequila
Reserved hibiscus syrup liquid (10 to 12 fl oz)
1.5 cups • your favorite sweet + sour mix
2 oz. • triple sec
Lime wheels, thinly sliced
To make the syrup, combine the satchet, water, sugar, and lemon juice in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 1 hour. After steeping, remove the sachet and squeeze it to extract all the liquid. You can use immediately or you can chill it in the fridge to use later. It can be stored for up to 3 days before mixing.
To make the margarita, mix all ingredients together and reserve. Chill the margarita batch and allow flavors to blend. Rim glass with salt, if desired. Garnish with lime wheels.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar has two locations in Fairfax County - Chantilly and Fairfax. Stop by for delicious cocktails like these, or for a delectable brunch, lunch or dinner spread. On the go? Grab one of their famous TV dinners for a quick and delicious meal at home!
More about Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Want more recipes? Did you miss our favorite Apple & Pumpkin beverage recipes here? Or, take a gander at these sweet desserts for the holidays here. Want to make reservations at these or other Fairfax County restaurants? Check out a list of options here. Want more holiday and winter fun ideas? We've got that too.
Share your favorite recipes or show off your fab creations in the comments below or on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax.