The holiday season is here, bringing cold weather and the perfect excuse to cozy up with festive cocktails.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, looking for a flavorful drink to unwind after a long week, or simply want to elevate your seasonal celebrations, these recipes—brought to us by local businesses in the Denver metro area (and one national brand)—are easy to make right at home.

Here’s a look at six festive, locally inspired holiday drinks you can recreate in your own kitchen:

Lucina Eatery and Bar: Coquito

This classic Puerto Rican delight, traditionally enjoyed during the holidays, is a festive favorite that’s rich in history and flavor. This recipe is brought to us courtesy of Diego Coconati, the chef and owner of Park Hill’s Lucina Eatery and Bar.

As told to us by the restaurant, Diego makes this beloved Coquito recipe each year for his family.

Ingredients:

• Three cans (14 ounces) coconut milk
• One can (14 ounces) cream of coconut
• 2 1/2 cups Puerto Rican white rum
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Refrigerate in an airtight container. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and two pods of star anise to serve. For a nonalcoholic option, substitute the rum with milk.

State 38 Distilling: Café Agave

Located in Golden, Colorado, State 38 Distilling has made a name for itself by producing small-batch, handcrafted spirits with a focus on quality and innovation.

Known for its unique offerings, including agave spirits and grain-distilled whiskeys, the distillery draws inspiration from its surroundings in the Centennial State.

This holiday season, State 38 is sharing a seasonal cocktail that highlights their craftsmanship: Café Agave. Featuring Hacedor Blanco, cold-pressed coffee, and wintery simple syrup infused with warm spices, the drink offers a balance of rich flavors and festive flair.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Hacedor Blanco
• 2.25 ounces cold-pressed coffee
• 1 ounce winter simple syrup (1:1 water and sugar, 16 ounces; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon allspice; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; drizzle of vanilla)
• 0.75 ounce heavy whipping cream

Method:

Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with grated cinnamon.

Wonderyard: Candy Cane Crush

This Denver farm-to-table restaurant is presenting its first-ever Winter Wonderyard pop-up this year, where the restaurant transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland.

Featuring a 15-foot Christmas tree, whimsical 8-foot reindeer, a life-sized sleigh for festive photos, and thousands of Christmas lights, this elegant seasonal event is an inviting holiday destination. Wonderyard welcomes guests with seasonal cheer, complete with a heated courtyard and enchanting decor.

From Wonderyard’s menu of signature cocktails and creative drinks comes the Candy Cane Crush cocktail, a decadent holiday cocktail that perfectly blends rich and refreshing flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Grey Goose vodka
• 1 ounce espresso
• 0.5 ounce crème de cocoa
• 0.5 ounce peppermint liqueur
• 0.5 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Garnish:

• Crushed candy cane
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Cocoa nibs

Method:

Rim a martini glass with chocolate sauce, then dip into crushed candy canes. In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients with ice. Shake until frothy and ice cold. Strain into the martini glass. Top with whipped cream, crushed candy cane, and cocoa nibs.

Stranahan’s: Red Skies at Night

Presented by Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s, the Red Skies at Night cocktail highlights Colorado’s craft whiskey heritage with Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year, an American single malt distilled at high altitude and aged for a decade to develop its rich, complex flavor.

The drink combines the whiskey with amaro, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, and cinnamon maple syrup, creating a balance of bold and sweet notes. Two types of bitters—orange and black walnut—add depth to the flavor profile, while a final touch of orange oil, a manicured orange swath, and Luxardo cherries elevate the presentation.

This collection of ingredients was curated and brought to us by Stranahan’s head mixologist Devin Ershow.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year
• 0.75 ounce amaro
• 0.5 ounce Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 0.5 ounce cinnamon maple syrup
• 2 dashes Fee Brothers orange bitters
• 2 dashes Fee Brothers black walnut bitters

Glassware: Coupe

Method:

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe. Express orange oil over the top. Garnish with a manicured orange swath and Luxardo cherries.

Old Elk: S’mores Toddy

Old Elk’s S’mores Toddy showcases the smooth, rich flavor of their Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Founded in Fort Collins in 2013, Old Elk combines traditional distilling techniques with innovative methods like their unique “Slow Cut” proofing process, ensuring a bold yet balanced spirit.

This cocktail pairs their signature bourbon with honey simple syrup, a complex amaro, and velvety chocolate tea, creating a warm, indulgent drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 0.5 ounce honey simple syrup
• 0.5 ounce Guatemalan chocolate, thyme, cinnamon, sarsaparilla, angelica, and vanilla amaro
• 4 ounces chocolate tea

Garnish:

• Toasted marshmallow
• Cinnamon

Method:

Add all ingredients to a toddy glass and top with hot steeped chocolate tea. Garnish with a toasted marshmallow and cinnamon.

Frosted Orchard: Hpnotiq

The Frosted Orchard seamlessly blends the unexpected with the familiar, marrying Hpnotiq’s tropical, fruity essence with the comforting warmth of traditional seasonal flavors. Its vibrant blue hue and notes of passion fruit and citrus add an exotic twist, while the classic tastes of sparkling apple cider, vanilla, cinnamon, and rosemary evoke the cozy cheer of the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces Hpnotiq
• 1 ounce Deep Eddy Vodka
• 0.25 ounce vanilla syrup
• 1 bar spoon lemon juice
• 3 ounces sparkling apple cider
• 1 sprig rosemary

Garnish:

• Apple slice
• Rosemary sprig
• Cinnamon

Method:

Combine Hpnotiq, Deep Eddy Vodka, vanilla syrup, lemon juice, and blue spirulina in a shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain the mixture into a double rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Top with sparkling apple cider. Garnish with an apple slice, rosemary sprig, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.