'Tis the Season for Four New Holiday Cocktails

‘Tis the season to be shiny.

All photos by Kate Magee.

To be honest, this has already been a pretty good holiday season so far. We haven’t stopped eating cookies since Thanksgiving, many parts of the country have already seen snow, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas is You” has FINALLY reached #1 on the Billboard charts, What more could we possibly ask for from the most wonderful time of the year?

We’ll tell you: holiday cocktails, duh! Drinking in December is different than any other time of year. Everything is festive, candy is an acceptable cocktail garnish, and it’s basically the only month eggnog exists. In short, we love holiday cocktails. That’s why we’re sharing a few of our seasonal favorites, perfect for family dinners, fireside chats, caroling, and other general forms of merriment. Check out our holiday cocktail recipes below, and get jolly, friends!

Cold Brew Eggnog

Okay, we know eggnog can be polarizing–but you NEED to try ours. Cold Brew Coffee ‘shine plus a little dark rum give this ‘nog the sweet jolt you need to get through the holidays in one piece.

Run Run Ruby

Don’t let this pink l’il number fool you. Our Ruby Red Grapefruit play on a pomegranate martini is as powerful as it is pretty.

Spicy Cocoa

Three words: Boozy. Hot. Chocolate.

That’s all.

Winter Margarita

The bright flavor of our Blood Orange moonshine mixes perfectly with smoky mezcal and sweet pear nectar in this complex, fruity cocktail that's perfect for sipping in front of a fire.

happy holidays, y’all!

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Still thirsty?

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Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Five Festive Cocktails to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

That’s the Jingle Bell(e) Rock.

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Since it’s already mid-December, we’re all aware by now that the “most wonderful time of the year” is upon us. There’s a chill in the air, holiday tunes ring out in nearly every public space, and everything smells vaguely like pine and cookies. With your Christmas cheer rising more and more every day, shouldn’t your cocktails be as festive as your mood? Wind down from that hectic Christmas shopping with one of these five holiday cocktails, courtesy of the boozy lil’ elves here at Belle Isle Moonshine! They’re tasty enough to make your spirits extra bright, and easy enough to make in your PJs! Why leave your house for a good drink? Stay in and play bartender–because, baby, it’s cold outside!

The Dude's Midnight Snack

Named in honor of two of our favorite dudes (the White Russian-loving one from The Big Lebowski and the cookie-loving one from the North Pole), this play on the coffee n’ cream classic gets a bit of depth from Averna amaro.

Bloody Jolly

Blood Orange and bubbly? We dare you not to be jolly while drinking this bad boy.

Meshugganah-groni

Why should Christmas get all the boozy fun! This kosher-optional Negroni spin gets a sweet kick from Maneschewitz wine.

Can't Catch Me

This cocktail has more holiday spirit than you can handle, friends. Gingerbread? Check. Cranberry? Check. A hint of spice from our Honey Habanero ‘shine? It might just be a Christmas miracle.

Matcha Toddy

The hot toddy is a classic for a reason: it’s the warm, boozy equivalent of flannel footie pajamas. This matcha and Ruby Red Grapefruit version is our updated, refreshing take.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Still thirsty?

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Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Wanna know more about us?

Drinksgiving 2018: Cocktails for Each of Your Annoying Family Members

This Champagne Hunni is the perfect match for your annoyingly fancy cousin.

All photos by Kate Magee. All cocktail garnishes by Dress the Drink.

It’s almost that time again. On one hand, Thanksgiving is the absolute best holiday. It’s the only day of the year during which you’re encouraged to gorge yourself on carbs and desserts, drink wine at 2 p.m., and fall into a tryptophan-induced coma before dusk. But there is something standing in the way of all this pure, unadulterated gluttony: your family. Sure, you love them–but how are you supposed to concentrate on getting the best stuffing-to-turkey ratio while they’re bombarding you with questions about your career, bad habits, or (worst of all) love life?

The bad news: you’ll never beat them. The good news: you can temporarily distract them with cocktails! We here at Belle Isle Moonshine have provided you with a guide to get your nosy relatives happily tipsy and out of your business before the turkey hits the table. You may have to play bartender, but, hey, at least you won’t have to field any political or personal questions!

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For Your Mom

who won’t stop asking about your 401k

This sweet (and boozy!) little stunner will make your mom forget all about your finances and realize that just being together makes you rich enough…or whatever. But beware: give her one too many and she might to that weird dance she did back on Christmas 2008.

Pear Necessities

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Belle Isle Black Label

• ½ oz. St. Germain

• ¾ oz. lemon juice

• ¾ oz. pear nectar

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin over ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

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For Your Sister

who really thinks you should try pilates and a raw diet

Who wants to talk about intermittent fasting and yoga retreats while you’re stuffing your face with turkey? Your health nut sister, apparently. This antioxidant-packed, juice-based cocktail may quench her appetite for nagging you to come to spin class with her.

24-Carrot magic

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit

• 1 oz. carrot juice

• ½ oz. honey syrup

• ½ oz. lemon juice

• ¼ oz. ginger paste

• 2-3 dashes orange bitters

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin over ice. Shake and double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

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FOR YOUR UNCLE

Who WON’t stop baiting you into political fights

There’s no use arguing over who’s right or wrong (although he’s definitely wrong). Let’s find an easy compromise–like this awesome cocktail! Half cider, half mule, and 100% amazing, this drink doesn’t force anyone to choose sides.

50/50 Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Belle Isle Honey Habanero

• 2 oz. apple cider (non-alcoholic)

• 2 oz. ginger beer (non-alcoholic)

Preparation:

Build in glass or mule mug over ice and enjoy!

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For Your Grandma

Who just wants you to watch the damn parade

There’s no trickery involved for this one. Just whip up a few of these blood orange bloodies (I know–it sounds weird, but it works!) and go watch the damn parade with your grandma! Your grandma rules.

Bloody Bloody

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Belle Isle Blood Orange

• 4 oz. bloody mary mix (pick your favorite!)

Preparation:

Mix ingredients in glass over ice, then tumble back and forth in a shaker a few times.

Need more Thanksgiving help?

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Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Want to learn more about us?

5 Classic New Orleans Cocktails with a Belle Isle Twist

If New Orleans is usually a cocktail drinker's territory, Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday, if you'd prefer) turns the city into a jacked-up, lawless, booze-fueled Wild Wild West. But don't let those frozen Hurricanes and Long Islands Iced Teas fool you: New Orleans is the grandfather of the classic cocktail. Bar staples like the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz were invented here, and the  infamous cocktail festival Tales of the Cocktail is held in the city each year. 

In honor of Mardi Gras and Belle Isle's recent expansion into Louisiana (hi, new friends!), we wanted to share our own spins on some of your favorite classic New Orleans cocktails. Skip Bourbon Street this year, and try them for yourself at home!

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Moonshine Fizz

The Ramos Gin Fizz: your bartender's most delicious worst enemy. Also known as the "New Orleans Fizz", this time and labor intensive drink has been around since the 1880s. Belle Isle 100 Proof is an easy substitute for gin in this one. The early recipes directed the bartender to dry shake the drink for 12 minutes. You can get away with much less, unless you have the time, desire, and bicep power to adhere to the traditional directions. 

Spicy Sazerac

One of New Orleans most revered cocktails, the deceptively complex (yet extremely simple to make) Sazerac was invented in the mid-19th century and featured Sazerac brandy and New Orleans' own Peychaud's bitters. More modern versions use rye whiskey as a base, but we added Belle Isle Honey Habanero for a little more spicy depth. 

Richmond 75

The fizzy, refreshing Arnaud's French 75 was popularized by the eponymous bar dating back to the late 1800s. The original French 75 features cognac or gin, but Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit is the perfect citrusy substitute.

Cold Brew Crusta

Perhaps both the oldest and least known cocktail on this list, the Brandy Crusta dates all the way back to the 1850s. We subbed Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee for the brandy for a truly unique twist on the sleeper classic. 

Belle Isle Hurricane

Hurricanes may be one of the most polarizing cocktails in existence. Just the word can conjure some pretty traumatizing college Spring Break or wild Mardi Gras memories. But give the excessively boozy classic cocktail, originated by Pat O'Brien's Bar in the 1940s, another chance! It's sweet and delicious, and you definitely don't need to have more than one to feel the Mardi Gras spirit. We split the rum with Belle Isle Black Label for a more balanced, less sweet version. 

Still thirsty?

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Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Wanna learn more?