The Perfect Vodka Christmas Cocktail

It’s funny how something seemingly small can illicit such strong memories from your past. A song comes on the radio that reminds you of your high school sweetheart, and suddenly you feel like a teenager again. The smell of an old candle burning takes you back to nights when the power went out, so you’d bundle up close to the fire and listen to the rain. The first snowfall brings you back to snow days as a kid, and you become filled with the same excitement you had when you found out you could take the day off and stay in your pyjamas.

For us at Heretic Spirits, the first snowfall brings us back to Christmas mornings as a kid. Being too excited to sleep in and rushing to our parents’ room at the break of dawn. The smell of hot chocolate filling the house as it warms on the stovetop. Opening gifts while our parents sat by the tree and held their mugs close for warmth.

It’s a simple memory – and maybe not one that would be very unique – but it’s powerful. It evokes a tremendous amount of emotion that brings us all the way back to those holiday mornings. We didn’t have a care in the world and, for those few hours in the morning, neither did our parents.

Only when we were older did we realize that the hot chocolate in our parents’ mugs had an extra ingredient or two. A little splash of vodka while the chocolate melts adds a whole new layer of warmth on those brisk holiday mornings.

Now when visiting for the holidays, there’s one thing to look forward to above all else – that childhood hot chocolate. Except now, I get the full recipe.

The only thing different this year is the quality of vodka. Rather than grabbing some cheap spirit from the ole golf bag, we’ve elevated our hot chocolate game with Heretic’s premium vodka. The lightweight and smooth profile of Heretic doesn’t alter the flavour of the hot chocolate, so you can still reminisce about your childhood while getting a warm holiday buzz.

While you’re enjoying your Heretic Holiday Hootch, try whipping up a batch of sugar cookies. Nothing goes better with a warm mug of hot chocolate than a little, snowman-shaped sugar cookie to dip in it. Take your holiday to the next level this year with a pairing that is more festive, delicious and cozy than you’ve ever had before.

For all of those wanting to curb your sugar intake over the holidays, we recommend a cocktail like a Vodka Martini with an olive garnish instead of a candy cane, see out list of drink recipes.

Happy Holidays!