It’s the most wonderful time of the year. We’re ready to celebrate, and what better way to show some holiday spirit than by sipping on something warm by the fire or something a little stronger while laughing with friends + family?

Cuban Hot Chocolate featuring dark rum + Frangelico. Photo by @hemingwayscubaasheville

And, it’s no surprise our local coffee shops, breweries + cocktail bars have no shortage of delicious holiday themed beverages. From dark winter ales to spiked eggnog to a warm peppermint mocha, check out our must-try winter beverage specials from some of your favorite places to make this season even more sweet. They’re the best way to warm up in between holiday shopping sprees.

Christmas cheer with Christmas beer :

Woodstove Winter Ale | Photo by @monkpub

Thirsty Monk | 96 Patton Ave. | Woodstove Winter Ale | This winter ale is brewed with fresh nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger + a hint of vanilla bean.

Highland Brewing Company | 12 Old Charlotte Highway | Cold Mountain Legendary Spiced Ale | Get in the holiday spirit with notes of vanilla, hazelnut, dark fruit + cinnamon.

Catawba Brewing Company | 32 Banks Ave. | S’mores Golden Stout | Catawba has partnered with REI to create this drink inspired by REI’s annual marshmallow + twinkie roast – a.k.a the perfect addition to a late night campfire.

Asheville Brewing Company | Ninjabread Man Porter | The brewers at ABC have created a mix of fresh vanilla beans, toasted cinnamon sticks, raisins, molasses + caramelized ginger and then added that to their flagship beer, the Ninja Porter, to create this holiday favorite.

Noble Cider | 356 New Leicester Highway | Noble cider has a few hard ciders perfect for any holiday gathering or enjoying on a cold night.

The Friar Fig | Barrel-aged fig cider with brandy + spices. Think figgy pudding.
Hard Cider with Chai | Loads of spice aromas like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves + anise. Made with freshly brewed chai tea.

Holiday Spirit(s) :

Sweetheart of the Pines | Photo by @theadmiralasheville

Hemingway's Cuba Restaurant + Bar | 15 Page Ave 4th Floor | Cuban Hot Coco | This hot chocolate featuring dark rum + Frangelico is the perfect drink to enjoy by the fire at this rooftop bar in downtown.

Miracle on Wall Street at MG Road | 19 Wall St. | During this month long event, MG Road transforms into a winter wonderland featuring all kinds of special events + cocktails.

The Snowball Old Fashioned | butterscotch rye, spiced brown sugar, wormwood bitters + orange zest over a snowball.
Jingle Balls Nog | Cognac, PX Sherry, brown butter, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, almond milk, cream, sugar, egg + nutmeg.
Run Run Rudolph | Gin, mulled wine puree, lemon, cane syrup + prosecco.
Christmapolitan | Vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime + absinthe mist.

Top of the Monk | 96 Patton Ave. | This holiday season Top of the Monk is serving up several themed, handcrafted cocktails.

Eggnog | This vanilla and maple filled version is hand whipped to order. Made with bourbon, brandy, egg, whole hream, maple, Madagascar vanilla + shaved nutmeg.
Warm Winter Wassail | Aged rum, local cider, fresh citrus + mulled wine stewed with winter spices. Served Warm.
Gingerbread Old Fashioned | Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, brown sugar saturated with gingerbread spices, orange bitters + orange peel. Served on Ice.

The Admiral | 400 Haywood Rd. | The Sweetheart of Pines | $12 | This pomegranate + rosemary drink creates the perfect holiday look. Made with gin, Clear Creek Oregon Pine Eau de Vie, pomegranate, lime + rosemary.

Pillar | 309 College St. | There are a few signature cocktails that Pillar is mixing up that go well with the holiday season.

Snowflake Margarita | $11 | Enjoy this drink made with silver tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice + cream of coconut.
Pecan Pie Martini | $13 | What better to bring out the holiday spirit than a drink that taste like your favorite holiday pie!? Made with rumchata, creme de cacao, bulleit bourbon, caramel, whipped cream, pecans + cinnamon.

The Social Lounge | 29 broadway St. | Here are a few of the Social Lounge holiday inspired drinks:

Cherry Tinsel | $13 | Made with scotch, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon + egg white
Smoke Show | $9 | Made with Blanco Tequila, Casamigos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, agave + spiced rum. This will warm you up on a cold night.

The Times at S+W | 56 Patton Ave. | Apple Amortentia | This warm drink is made with apple cider, Jameson Caskmates Stout, Allspice Dram, grenadine, ginger, champagne vinegar, orange juice + ango.

It’s beginning to look a latte like Christmas :

Campfire S’mores Latte | Photo by @libertyhousecafe

Liberty House Cafe | 221 South Liberty St. | Campfire S’mores Latte | This delicious coffee is made with cinnamon, dark chocolate + cherry smoked sea salt.

Double D’s Coffee | 41 Biltmore Ave. | Gingerbread Forest | This warm + cozy latte is made with dark chocolate, hazelnut, cinnamon + gingerbread. Bonus: The famous double decker bus is decked out for the holiday season and is oh-so-cute.

Trade + Lore | 37 Wall St. | Classic Hot Chocolate | There is nothing better than a warm cup of hot coco in the winter. Trade + Lore has taken things up a notch with their house-made chocolate syrup using Onyx, Dutch cocoa + Saigon cinnamon.

Dobra Tea West | 707 Haywood Road | $4 | Masala Hot Chocolate | Not only does Dobra Tea have a relaxing environment, but the most delicious warm drinks. This Masala Hot Chocolate is creamy + spiced, made with fair-trade Ecuadorian cacao infused with masala chai spices. Bonus: Try one of their other flavored hot chocolates like lavender, rose or peppermint.

These holiday beverages are all nice (and some with just a pinch of coal). Now we’re ready to show visiting family + friends the best spots in town for a holiday-themed sip off.

Did we miss your favorite seasonal bev? Reply to this email or comment here to let us know.

This month, you can find me out and about, enjoying time with friends at a local spot. The shops, lights + drinks, make Asheville feel like home for the holidays.✨

–Kristie + the AVLtoday team