Cheers!

 Who really needs 10 lords a-leaping? You sure can’t get 11 pipers piping in time for Christmas. Although we admit, we wouldn’t turn our noses up at 5 golden rings. So instead of a reality check this year we’re asking you to join us as we CHEERS! our way through the holiday season.

This fall we set out to find that flicker of hope this time of year holds and found something we could all enjoy together: cocktails. This was just the thing to add a little pep in our steps as we started brainstorming, researching, product testing, and developing our perfect holiday stress-relief strategy: our official 12 Days of Cocktails. While we will be sticking to our day jobs (which is good news for our clients), we enjoyed being able to test out these delicious drinks and are excited to share them with you.

If you enjoy making these cocktails as much we did, post your experience on social media and tag us at @oneherocreative.

On the first day, Jordan tried a pear.

Our senior designer is known for taking risks and making bold decisions when she’s working on a project. The same can not be said for her diet. As a firm believer in sticking to what she knows, Jordan ventured into the unknown by trying pears and gin for the first time. Her reaction: “ehh”.

Winter-Spiced Pear Cocktail

 

Gin  1 ¾ oz.
Lemon  ¾ oz.
Pear Syrup  ¾ oz.
Egg White  1

Spiced Pear Syrup
Pears  4, cored + cubed
Star Anise  1
Cinnamon  1 stick,
Caster Sugar  8 ¾ oz.

Step 1 | The Pear Syrup
Place the ingredients in a pan with 250ml water and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the flavors have infused. Leave to cool.

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker without ice and shake vigorously. 

Step 3 | The Right Temperature
Open the shaker, fill with ice and shake again, then strain into a chilled glass. 

Step 2 | The finishing touches
Place a star anise on the foam and serve.

I like to add a little more sweetness to the drink and include a few of the mulled pears from the pear syrup.

Cindy, copywriter

We froze some of the mulled pears and added them as ice cubes.

One hero mixology team

On the second day, we learned that not all chocolate tastes good.

As with any project we take on, this one required a strategy and intense planning. We taste-tested each drink before filming to make sure they met our high standards and when testing this martini, we spoiled ourselves with homemade chocolate syrup. Come around to filming day, we used store-bought chocolate syrup instead. Big mistake. If there’s one thing to be learned from this campaign it’s to always take the extra step.

Chocolate Turtle Martini

 

Pecan Whiskey  1 ½ oz.
Créme de Cocoa  1 ½ oz.
Butterscotch Schnapps  ¾ oz.
Half & Half  1 ½ oz.
Chocolate Syrup  1 Tbsp
Ice  1 cup

Toppings
Chocolate Syrup  for swirling
Caramel Sauce  for rim
Pecans  finely chopped for rim

Step 1 | The Rim
Dip the rim of the glass in caramel syrup followed by finely chopped pecans until coated. 

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

Step 3 | The Finishing Touches
Swirl the chocolate syrup around the inside of the prepared glass. Strain into the glass and Enjoy!

On the third day, we learned
that the French do it better.

Our junior designer, Lucy, prefers a nice steak with A1 sauce over a Boeuf bourguignon but we’re sure that speaks more to her character than to the quality of French cuisine. However, this cocktail had our whole team ready to buy a beret and take up smoking because the French know what they’re doing with this one.

French 75

 

Gin  1 ½ oz.
Wine Syrup  1 oz.
Lemon Juice  .½ oz.
Grapefruit Juice  ½ oz.
Orange Bitters  2 dashes
Presecco  2 oz.
Grapefruit Twist  for garnish

Wine Syrup
Dry White Wine  1 cup
Rosemary  1 sprig
Fresh Thyme  2 sprigs
Grapefruit Peel  3 strips

Step 1 | The Wine Syrup
Add all ingredients for the syrup to a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring often until sugar is dissolved and the syrup starts to bubble (about 5 minutes). Cool to room temperature. Strain and refrigerate.

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Add all ingredients except Prosecco and the garnish to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until very cold. 

Step 3 | The Finishing Touches
Fine strain into a chilled flute or coupe. Top with Prosecco, garnish with the twist and serve.

"Alexa, where to buy berets near me."

Lucy, Junior Designer

The refrigerated wine syrup will last a few weeks. Long enough to make it for friends!

One hero mixology team

On the fourth day, we popped our manhattan cherry.

Who else always seems to have a bottle of red wine lying around? How about a bottle of vermouth? For the sake of your liver, we hope you only answered yes to one. If you’re like us and prefer wine, this twist on a classic manhattan, without the vermouth, will be right up your alley.

Harvest Moon Manhattan

 

Whiskey  2 oz.
Red Wine  1 oz.
Cherry Juice  ½ oz.
Cherries  for garnish

Step 1 | The Cocktail
Add the whiskey, wine, and cherry juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass.

Step 2 | The Garnish
Add 4 or 5 cherries to a toothpick and rest on the rim of the glass. Enjoy!

On the fifth day, we tasted
liquid gold.

Golden cocktails are just as good as golden rings…right? While we keep telling ourselves this is true, we’ll make another round of this amazing cocktail. Maybe next year we can convince the bosses to splurge for golden rings instead.

Golden Honey Thyme Cocktail

 

Gin  4 oz.
Lemon Juice  2 oz.
Honey Syrup  2 oz.
Fresh Thyme  2 sprigs
Lemon Slices  

Step 1 | The Honey Syrup
Heat 1 oz. of honey with 1 oz. of water until blended. Leave to cool.

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Pour gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice, close lid and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Fill two glasses with ice and lemon slices. Divide contents of the cocktail shaker into prepared glasses. 

Step 3 | The Finishing Touches
Run thyme sprigs between fingers to release oils and stir a sprig into each cocktail. Serve and enjoy!

I'd prefer the rings.

Jordan, Senior Designer

Substitute ginger ale for gin and you have yourself a mocktail.

One hero mixology team

On the sixth day, we
overdosed on peppermint.

Everyone has those liquors that you can’t drink anymore right? Or smell or look at? Unfortunately, while some people loved this peppermint cocktail, others had flashbacks to college days and spent the rest of the day trying not to think about peppermint. 

Grey Goose Snowflake Martini

 

Grey Goose La Poire  ½ oz.
Peppermint Schnapps  1 oz.
Creme de Cocao   ½ oz.
Half & Half   ½ oz.

Simple Syrup  for rim
Sugar  for rim

Step 1 | The Rim
Dip the rim of the glass in simple syrup or water. Then dip in white sugar until coated. 

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Add all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

On the seventh day, we fizzled out.

Drinking for six days straight is exhausting so give us a break and try this mocktail instead. Drink some water and replenish your electrolytes. And calm down…geez. The cocktails will be back tomorrow. 

Orange Rosemary Fizz Mocktail

 

Oranges  2 large wedges
Rosemary  1 sprig
Soda Water  2 oz.
Blackberries  1

Step 1 | The Prep
Put the orange and half the rosemary into a highball glass. Muddle well, then fill with ice. 

Step 1 | The Cocktail
 Top with soda water, stir to mix and garnish with blackberries and the remaining rosemary.

This came at the right time. I've had a headache for 6 days.

Jeff, Creative director

Substitute gin for soda water and this makes a great cocktail.

One hero mixology team

On the eighth day, we realized we are better designers than bartenders.

99.9% of the time we pay amazing attention to detail. We are always one step ahead. And that uses a lot of brain-power. So much so that on this day we had none left evidently. We skimmed the directions and proceeded to add the entire stick of butter to the cocktail. We’ll never forget the taste of that semi-solid first sip…

Buttered Rum

 

Unsalted Butter  1 stick
Light Brown sugar   ½ cups
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp
Ground Cinnamon  1 tsp
Ground Cloves  1 tsp
Ground nutmeg  1 tsp
Ground allspice  1 tsp
Salt  1 pinch
Dark rum  2 oz.
Hot Water  6 oz.
Cinnamon Stick  1

Step 1 | The Butter Mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine butter, vanilla extract, sugar, spices, and salt. Beat until well combined.

In a heat-proof glass or mug, combine aged rum with 1 oz. (2 tablespoons) spiced butter mixture. The remaining batter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Top with hot water and stir until ingredients are well incorporated. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

On the ninth day, we girl-bossed a bit too close to the sun.

While this is probably the prettiest cocktail you’ve ever seen, it didn’t come without its challenges. Countless eggs were dropped and we’ll never be able to get the grenadine color out of the carpet. But it was all worth it to get a taste of this sweet drink.  

Pink Lady

 

Gin  1 ½ oz.
Applejack  ½ oz.
Grenadine  ½ oz.
Simple Syrup  ½ oz.
Lemon Juice 
¾ oz.
Egg White  1 oz.

Step 1 | The Cocktail

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice and shake hard for 20 seconds (don’t be like us, hold that shaker with two hands).

Step 2 | The Finishing Touches
Add ice to the shaker and shake for a further 15 seconds. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a chilled glass. Enjoy!

It's so beautiful. I'm going to get emotional.

Debbie, vice president

Make sure you take pictures of this one. Guaranteed aesthetics booster.

One hero mixology team

On the tenth day, we mulled over
our holiday strategy.

This long cook-time gave us the opportunity to reflect on our cocktail journey and gave us the strength to power through two more days.

Mulled Wine

 

Red Wine  1 bottle
Apple Cider  3 cups
Honey  1/4 cups
Cinnamon Sticks  4
Vanilla Bean  1
Star Anise  5
Cloves  1 tsp.
Ground Nutmeg  1 tsp.
Brandy  1/4 cups
Lemon slices  4
Lime Slices  2
Orange Slices  4
Cranberries  for garnish

Step 1 | The Slow Cook
Combine wine, cider, and honey into a pot or slow cooker and heat over low to medium heat.

Step 2 | The Spices
Place cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, star anise, cloves, and ground nutmeg in a small saucepan and roast over medium heat for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add spices to the wine mixture and continue to heat for about 25-30 minutes, making sure it doesn’t come to a boil.

Step 3 | The Finishing Touches
Just before serving add brandy and about 1 cup of the sliced fruit to the mulled wine (reserve remaining for garnish). Serve and enjoy!

On the eleventh day, we found a reason to wear kilts.

As we sipped this delicious cocktail, we heard the faint whisper of bagpipes in the wind. Jeff went in search of his kilt while the rest of us dreamt of the rolling highlands of the homeland.

Scottish Hot Toddy

 

Whiskey 1 oz.
Honey  1 Tbsp.
Hot Water  enough to fill

Step 1 | The Cocktail
Boil your water. Add the whiskey and honey to a glass.

Step 2 | The Finishing Touches
Pour in the boiling water until satisfied. Stir and drink hot.

Is it drafty in here?

Jeff, creative director

For a proper Scottish Hot Toddy, use a crystal glass and a silver spoon to stir.

One hero mixology team

On the twelfth day, we drummed up some friends to share with.

On the last day of our campaign, we figured we should probably be spreading the holiday cheer and sharing these wonderful drinks. So we gathered a few friends and enjoyed this last cocktail. We recommend doing the same. Happy Holidays!

Christmas Sangria

 

Red Wine  1 bottle
Cranberry Juice  2 cups
Apple Cider  ½ cup
Brandy   ½ cup
Honey   ¼ cup
Pomegranate Avrils   ½ cup
Cranberries  1 cup
Green Apple  1, sliced

Step 1 | The Mixture
Add fresh fruit to a large pitcher. Combine all the remaining ingredients separately, then add to fresh fruit and stir to combine.

Step 2 | The Cocktail
Refrigerate until cold. The longer the sangria sits, the more flavorful it will be. Prepare the sangria ahead of time if possible, up to a full day before serving.

Happy Holidays

We hope you had as much fun as we did with out 12 Days of Cocktails but there’s only one way to know for sure. Reach out to us via email or on social and let us know!