By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)

Dec. 21, 2025 – There’s an urgent question circulating the bars of Savannah at the moment: “Do you have holiday drinks?” Warm and creamy specialties? Hot cider? Eggnog? Minty concoctions?

Sipping “Shoot the Glass” at The Hot Eye.

No worries, we got you.

I reached out to local bars and restaurants to see if they were interested in presenting their holiday drinks to our readers.

The response and excitement were overwhelming, which is why this is a two-part article.

I present to you eight delicious holiday cocktails to warm your lips and get you fully into the festive spirit.

The Whiskey

224 West Bay Street

Once upon a time, back in 2024, when they had just freshly opened, I wrote about The Whiskey and their creative cocktails and quality ingredients.

This season, they happily presented two cocktails, crafted by Aubrey, a very talented and super sweet bartender who has been with The Whiskey team since their opening. Go see her and try these specialties.

1. Holly Spritz

Made with cranberry vodka, Fiorente, fresh lemon, honey rosemary simple syrup, topped with Prosecco, cranberries, and rosemary.

This is refreshing and herbaceous, the perfect pick-me-up after a long day of shopping.

2. Campfire Hot Chocolate

Campfire Hot Chocolate Cocktail at The Whiskey

Crafted with Blue Note Toasted Bourbon, cacao bitters, brown sugar simple syrup, hot chocolate made to order, and a fire-roasted marshmallow.

Need I say more? Do you remember when the temperature dipped into the 20s a few days ago? Chilly, chilly. This is perfect for cold days: sweet, cozy, decadent, and boozy.

The Vinyl Room: The Naughty List

125 East Congress Lane, basement level

Whoever decorated The Vinyl Room this holiday season had a lot of fun.

The first page of the menu reads:

“Dear Santa, I’ve been very bad this year. I regret nothing, you fat, judgmental bastard.”

This is my kind of holiday.

The menu reads like a vintage Playboy magazine, with pin-up art of girls wearing nothing but holiday décor. Sexy illustrations adorn the walls, and mannequin legs dressed in fishnets hang from the bar instead of classic stockings.

I brought my mother-in-law here yesterday. She just came to the U.S. for the very first time, all the way from Ireland. We couldn’t stop giggling like schoolgirls. It was scandalously festive, unapologetic, absurd, and completely fabulous.

Every cocktail here is on theme. Here are a couple of our favorites.

3. Hot for the Ho Ho Ho’s

Hot for the Ho Ho Ho’s cocktail at The Vinyl Room

Altos Reposado tequila, Italicus bergamot liqueur, hot honey, yuzu curaçao, lime, and orange bitters.

I love a spicy tequila cocktail. This one hits the spot. With lime and orange layers, it’s beautifully balanced.

4. Another Name for a Mule

Another Name for a Mule Cocktail at The Vinyl Room

Milk-washed whiskey, peppermint tea syrup, cacao, cocoa bitters, ginger beer, and lime.

Each cocktail is layered with delicious innuendo. This is one of the most sinfully fun little holiday getaways.

The most elevated and festive mule I’ve seen around.

Try reading that whole menu with a straight face.

Garden Square

2400 Bull Street, Suite 6

I recently wrote about Tasha Conyers and her inventive mixology. This was her chosen cocktail for the season, with bright notes of berry and a touch of clove, topped with whipped coconut snow. Creamy and delicious.

5. Lilac Snow

This cocktail has a magical ingredient: Velvet Falernum, a sweet, spiced Barbadian liqueur infused with lime, almond, cloves, ginger, and other spices, providing a rich, velvety texture.

Sweet and vibrant notes from fresh raspberries and lemon elevate the layers of beet- and clove-infused gin.

The creaminess comes from the “snow,” created from coconut milk. This cocktail is vegan, velvety, dreamy, and invites thoughts of a tropical holiday.

Go see Tasha to try it. Garden Square is a quiet, magical oasis tucked away in the Starland District.

The Hot Eye

125 E Congress Lane, basement level

If you feel like escaping the frantic rush of holiday preparations, visit this luxurious underground bar. The Hot Eye is located beneath Municipal Grand and is the newest speakeasy-style addition to downtown Savannah.

I went to see Alexis Cooper, bar manager and bartender extraordinaire, to see what marvels they created this season.

They did not disappoint.

The Christmas theme at The Hot Eye this year is Die Hard. You can see it and taste it in the cocktails. They wanted to be different yet festive and showcase their creativity.

Three cocktails stand out.

Alexis shares, “There was recently a screening of Die Hard at the Lucas Theatre, and people dressed in celebratory movie attire came here right after. It was amazing to see them continue the celebration. A Die Hard Christmas all the way.”

6. Yippee-Ki-Yay

Do you love whiskey and banana bread? This is for you.

Crafted with whiskey, brandy, amaro, and banana bread flavors. The banana bread element comes from two banana liqueurs: Giffard banana liqueur combined with Tempus Fugit crème de banane and Amaro Lucano.

Spectacular.

7. Happy Trails, Hans

Happy Trails, Hans Cocktail at The Hot Eye

This nostalgic cocktail is their signature eggnog with Scotch, rum, mint, and chocolate.

It features Fernet Menta, chocolate, two types of rum, and blended Scotch.

With the cream and egg, it tastes like an Andes Mint eggnog. Yum.

8. Welcome to the Party, Pal

Welcome to the Party, Pal Cocktail at The Hot Eye

Made with mezcal, alpine amaro, pit fruit, vanilla, and bubbles, this is refreshing and flavorful.

Holiday cocktails are not all cider and eggnog, especially in Savannah, where one day is 28°F and the next is 75°F.

This cocktail is smoky, with fresh fruit and citrus cutting through the smoke with every sip.

Extra Credit: Shoot the Glass Shooter

Their version of a holiday minty Mind Eraser with vodka, white chocolate, mint, and seltzer.

The menu even notes “two straws,” true to the mind eraser tradition.

Full disclosure: I didn’t know what a mind eraser was, or that you’re supposed to drink it quickly with two straws. Or maybe I’ve had one before and don’t remember.

Alexis shares, “Our menu descriptions are minimal, but each cocktail is a journey. Every one deserves space to showcase the artistry and shape anticipation for our guests.”

Treat yourself to these festive sips while they’re still available. Have a lovely holiday and a delicious new year.

Love always,

Vanessa

If you find value in this website, please consider contributing above or via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Savannah_Agenda. Your support, no matter how much you give, is appreciated and will help ensure the future viability of this community resource. You can also show your support by subscribing below and sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.