Santa and his envoys from the North Pole have sent down their most festive and delicious craft beverage recipes to all our local “CoolCrafters”! He and Mrs. Claus are challenging YOU to visit each location along the CoolCraft Christmas Trail in West Volusia to taste each drink and get into the holiday spirit.
See all drinks and participating locations below and at coolcrafttrail.com/christmas, and don’t forget to track your progress along the trail using the CoolCraft Beverage Trail mobile pass (found at go.visitwestvolusia.com). You’ll be eligible to receive a free Christmas Ornament straight from Santa’s workshop if you visit 5 or more stops.
“Beeatroot Holidaze”
“Beeatroot Holidaze” is a fresh, much-needed Holiday Detox from your local “Farmacy.” Fresh Pressed Lemon-Limeade is shaken with activated charcoal, DoTerra Peppermint Oil, and Maple Syrup, then poured over their enriching Tangy Sunrise Juice Cubes. An incredibly hydrating detox that embodies Beeatroot’s idea of a tasty beverage. Treat your body right and get Healthy @Beeatroot!
“Gingerbread Cookie Cream Ale”
Run, run as fast as you can, to get a taste of the Gingerbread Cookie Cream Ale! A holiday special by Blue Springs Brewing & Riverwalk Pizzeria. Catch this beverage to taste the molasses and ginger cookie flavor that truly represent this yuletide season!
“My Favorite Things”
Central 28 Brewing’s “My Favorite Things” is a traditional Belgian-style Dubbel that is a malt forward lightly sweet amber ale brewed with some of our favorite things. Notes of caramel and raisin are complemented by an inviting spiced aroma evoking the season from the Belgian candy sugar, cinnamon, allspice and orange peel that go in to making this yummy Holiday beverage.
“Freddy Fitz Stout”
Ole’ Freddy Fitz finally made it on the Nice list, and just in time! Persimmon Hollow Brewing’s Freddy Fitz Stout is delightfully dark and malty stout featuring lots of roasty toasty notes reminiscent of cozy nights by the fire during one of Florida’s few truly winter evenings!
“Ch’ Wassail”
Coming from the Ango-Saxon phrase meaning ‘Good health,’ Trilogy Coffee Roasting’s “Ch’ Wassail” is a chai-based cider bevy that’s straight out of Christmases long, long ago! This traditional holiday beverage is made of real apple cider, ginger, lemon, and other warm spices that will scratch the Holiday itch you didn’t know was inside you.
“Holiday Melange”
MG Coffee Brews & Bites’ Holiday Melange is a melange of Honey, Steamed Milk, Espresso and milk fronth. Garnished with the finest peppermint Candy Cane, this side of the North Pole, you’ll definitly want to put another one on your list for Santa.
“Mistletoe Espresso”
Hop aboard the MIstletoe Espresso! MG Coffee Brews & BItes’ second CoolCraft Christmas submission introduces passengers to a delicious white chocolate peppermint double espresso topped with whipped cream and decorated with chocolate drizzle and crushed candy cane.
“The Mistletoe”
An homage to their drink, the ‘Missles,’ NEST’s CoolCraft Christmas beverage is a Prosecco Sangria Spritzer called ‘Mistletoe.’ Featuring their award-winning sangria, ‘Mistletoe’ adds seasonal flavors that include apple, orange, cranberry, cinnamon and rosemary that is guaranteed to get you into the Holiday spirit!
“Abuela’s Coquito”
The Lounge’s Christmas cocktail is Abuela’s Coquito (coquito meaning “Little Coconut” in Spanish) is a traditional Christmas drink from Puerto Rico. Similar to eggnog, this coconut-based alcoholic beverage is sometimes referred to as Puerto Rican Eggnog, and is widely and lovingly made in many Latin cultures. Liberty, the manager of The Lounge, shares a story of a dear friend of hers, in which the friend, her sisters and their mother would get together over Thanksgiving to make large batches of their family’s coquito recipe to give as gifts over the holidays. In addition to the traditional rum-based coquito, the Lounge also offers a spirit-free version. Both the traditional and its spirit-free sister are available to enjoy in the Lounge or bottled and ready to take home and share as gifts this holiday season.
“Maid Leise Pumpkin Pale”
Get a wee bit cozy with the highland “Maid Leise Pumpkin Pale” from noneother than Hyderhead Brewery. This coffee pumpkin ale features both a very early and late addition of hops which compliment to make this fall delicacy a year-round favourite.
“Cranberry Rosemary Spritz”
A personal favorite of Mrs Claus, the “Cranberry Rosemary Spritz” is popular amongst the North Pole elves during the slightly less chilly Summer months. An Americano, this beverage is made with homemade cranberry rosemary simple syrup, cranberry juice, espresso and topped with cranberry sparkling water.
“Candy Cane Smoothie”
Cool off this (Florida) holiday season with the refreshing “Candy Cane Smoothie,” prepared by the experts over at Buddha Bowls. This festive drink has smoothie favorites – bananas, strawberries, coconut yogurt, date syrup and peppermint extract all working to give this smoothie that seasonal feel!
“Peppermint Espresso Milkshake”
Tired of shopping ‘til you drop? Give yourself a little pick-me-up with the Peppermint Espresso Milkshake from Pat and Toni’s Sweet Things. This freshly brewed espresso drink is paired with peppermint ice cream and blended with milk in a way that will put you back on the nice list!
“Winterberry White Mocha”
It’s Santa’s workshop and we’re just living in it. Pat and Toni’s Winterberry White Mocha drink will transport you to the North Pole this holiday season with its fresh espresso, creamy white chocolate, and sweet huckleberry syrup.
“Once Bitten, Twice Chai”
Sugar, spice and everything nice went into crafting this delicious cocktail for the downstairs Table. Featuring chai, coffee and *just a little* vanilla vodka, you’ll definitely be coming back for seconds of this CoolCraft Concoction!
“Noggin around the Christmas tree”
You may choose to rock, others might sway, either way you’ll be grooving to the taste of Christmas with “Noggin around the Christmas tree”. This crafty concoction is a tasteful blend of espresso and Southern comfort eggnog that will have you on your feet in no time.
“Spiced Cranberry Spritzer”
Lightly spiced homemade organic hibiscus jam, muddled in to organic cold brewed ginger tea with a hint of orange, and topped off with cranberry sparkling water.
“Daq the Halls”
We like to push the boundaries built around cocktail making and bring our customers something that they may have never experienced before. Our hand-crafted riff on one of the most classic cocktails {The Daquiri} is sure to catapult you right into Holiday season! Base: House Fat-Washed Brown Butter Ghee Cachaca (Brasilian Rum), which has become one of our house staples in recent months! Modifiers: Green Chartruese and Pimento Dram blend to give you the deep flavor of hearty winter herbs and spices. The sweet and the tart: House-made Ginger Root Syrup and fresh squeezed lime juice finalize this complex cocktail and elevate it to the status of Legend. This cocktail evokes all that this season means to us. Take one sip and you will know exactly what that is. Cheers!
More information on West Volusia County can be picked up in the Visitor Center located at 116 W. New York Avenue in Downtown DeLand, FL, or can be found online at www.visitwestvolusia.com. Please call 386-734-0162 for more information.