One way to make spirits bright this holiday season is enjoying some drinks at a holiday pop-up bar.
Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up where the decorations are over-the-top and the vibes are joyous and fun. The holiday-themed cocktails come in kitschy glassware that looks like Santa’s pants, or a mug shaped like a T-Rex wearing a Santa hat.
Miracle was started in 2014 when Greg Boehm halted work on his new Brooklyn bar and turned it into a pop-up for the holiday season. It was a huge success, with others reaching out to Boehm to replicate his idea.
This year, Miracle has more than 100 international locations, but the majority are in the U.S., with two here in Georgia: Tapa Tapa in Midtown Atlanta and at our restaurant, the Expat, in Athens. This is the fourth year we have played host to Miracle there.
This year, the decorations are more festive than ever, with the staff outfitted in ugly sweaters and reindeer onesies. We still decorate, though not as intensely, and the staff helps create a smaller list of holiday drinks. Inspiration is found in such childhood favorites as hot chocolate and peppermint, along with other alpine herbs.
Here, we share Tayah Slaughter-Valentine’s recipe for a polar express, which is a peppermint martini with saffron and vanilla from Galliano, Alpine herbs from the Italian centum herbis liqueur, crème de menthe and a kiss of chocolate from crème de cacao. We hope you enjoy our takes on holiday cheer, and we encourage you to improvise your own new traditions.
POLAR EXPRESS
Makes 1 drink.
1.5 ounces vodka
.75 ounce Galliano
.25 ounce centum herbis
.25 ounce crème de menthe (Tempus Fugit)
.25 ounce crème de cacao (Tempus Fugit)
Put all the ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until very cold. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a mini candy cane.
Per serving: 207 calories (percent of calories from fat: 1, no protein, 5 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams total sugars, no fiber, trace total fat (trace saturated fat), no cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium.
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