Holiday Cocktails for Hanukkah

For the 8 Days of Hanukkah, I’d like to introduce two exceptional, highly rated, kosher liqueurs from Sukkah Hill Spirits in Los Angeles. Doing a search for holiday spirits will result in pages of cocktails geared toward Christmas – toddies, eggnog and glogg galore, but what about Hanukkah?

Written up in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Tasting Panel The Jewish V0ice, Jewish Journal and more, Sukkah Hills began as a labor of love by Marni Witkin, a home cook in Los Angeles who concocted liqueurs from citrons, or etrogs – the symbol of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot –  to sip with friends and family during their joyous gatherings under the sukkah.

Etrog became so popular she began producing it with her husband Howard under the name of Sukkah Hill Spirits. The delicate Etrog liqueur (76 proof) has sweetness balanced by a slightly bitter finish. Rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, Etrog has “aromas of lemon verbena, lime leaf, melon, and Meyer lemon candy. Moderately sweet with a medium body and pink pepper, honey, herb, and floral lemon blossom like snap on the prickly, warming finish. An exotic citrus liqueur with an interesting aquavit-like herb and spice dimension” {Beverage Testing Institute}.

Their second foray into spirits, Besamim, is designed for Passover but can also be savored during the 8 days of Hanukkah rather than being tucked away until Spring. Besamim (74 proof) possesses “vibrant aromas and flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove with a silky, moderately sweet medium body and a gently warming frosted carrot cake and candied spiced nut finish” {Beverage Testing Institute}.

The warming, well balanced spice flavors make Besamim a perfect elegant aperitif on its own or in holiday cocktails. Since I’m on a bourbon roll, let’s start with Besamim & Bourbon. Doesn’t get much better, or simpler, than this:

More ways to celebrate and savor Sukkah Hill’s Besamim:

Besamim and Bourbon (or Rye)

1 ounce Sukkah Hill Besamim liqueur

1 ounce bourbon

Combe and serve straight or over ice.

Besamim Ginger Highball

2 ounces Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur

5 ounces ginger ale

2-4 drops bitters

Combine and serve over ice in a highball glass.

Besamim Black Russian

1 ounce coffee liqueur such as Kahlua

2 ounces Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur

Combine and serve over ice in a highball glass.

Variation: add 1 ounce milk for a White Russian.

Besamim Cuba Libra

1.5 ounce Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur

4.5 ounces Coke

Lime wedge

Combine with a squeeze of lime. Drop in the lime and stir. Serve over ice in a highball glass.

Lady Besamim 

1 ounce Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur

1 ounce chocolate liqueur (such as Godiva)

1 ounce cream

Combine and serve over ice.

Besamim Espresso Martini 

1 ounce Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur

1.5  ounce Espresso Vodka (such as Van Gogh)

2-4 drops chocolate bitters

Combine in an ice filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar and grated dark chocolate.

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Whether you’re celebrating Passover, Sukkot or Hanukkah now you have two geshmak kosher, small batch spirits from Sukkah Hill Spirits with endless possibilities for creating a memorable evening. Mozel Tov!

Thirsty for more? You might like:

Sweet Potato Latkes for Hanukkah

Preserving Holiday Traditions Through Cooking and Tips on Making Perfect Crisp Latkes

Holiday Cocktails for Bourbon Lovers

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