10 Christmas Cocktails To Try In Newcastle

Bar + Block, Newgate Street

Bar + Block looks to some iconic Christmas films as the inspiration for its seasonal specials this year! As part of their already mouth-watering Festive Menu, there’s the option to swap a dessert for one of their drinks for just an extra couple of quid. Whether you settle on “Elf Juice”, fall for “Love Absolute(ely)” or book a ticket onboard the “Polar Express Martini”, well that’s up to you!

Colonel Porters, Dean Street

Colonel Porter’s is known for its quirky, often Victoriana-themed approach to things, and its Christmas cocktail selection is no exception. Taking their place on the breathtaking drinks list are a couple of seasonal smashers, including The Sloe Royale, French 75, and Sparkling Cranberry for £9.75 each. Need to warm up? There’ll be mulled wine for just £6 per glass too.

The Botanist, Monument Mall

As you’d probably expect, The Botanist’s expert mixologists have gone all-out this Christmas! The party starts with their festive menu, where there’s the option to order an Espresso Martini Tiramisu to complete your meal. A cocktail that doubles as a dessert… what’s not to love! For those looking for something a little warmer, order a S’mores Old Fashioned, where Maker’s Mark bourbon is blended with orange curacao and cold brew coffee, before being served over ice with a chocolate and Biscoff cookie rim, and yes, even topped with toasted marshmallows too. Alternatively, if you’re after a more showy serving, the Blooming Bauble arrives with an actual bauble that you’ll need to release into the glass before enjoying. And if you order more than six, the baubles will even arrive served on your very own Christmas tree. We’ll cheers to that!

Retro Christmas Pop-Up Bar, Times Square

Running until Christmas Eve Eve (that’s a thing, right?), the Retro Christmas Pop-Up Bar is located in the new Rusty’s Lounge on Times Square and is the last word in Christmas nostalgia: an eighties-themed venue with retro decorations! And to go with the Christmas vibes there’s obviously a Christmas cocktail menu. There’ll be plenty to pick from, including seasonal small plates to fuel up on as well.

Manahatta, Collingwood Street

Manahatta’s bringing a taste of a New York Christmas to the Newcastle bar scene this year, with three deliciously festive cocktails to enjoy. There’s the Mint Chocolate Espresso Martini (a mix of chase vodka, crème de menthe, white chocolate and cold brew) as well as the Cranberry and Ginger Highball (featuring chase marmalade vodka, crème de mûre, ginger, cranberry and citrus). That’s not forgetting the berry Christmas Pornstar Martini, which you can even order six of on a cocktail tree sharer!

Café Mercy, Grey Street

Grey Street hotspot Café Mercy welcomes a trio of new cocktails for the winter season. There’s Dante’s Margarita (crafted using Ocho Blanco Tequila, pineapple liqueur, almond syrup, a red wine float and lime), as well as the delicious Spiced Pear Bellini (a mix of pear, honey, elderflower and cinnamon, finished with prosecco). In the mood for something more unique? Why not try out their Espresso Martini Spritz – a unique blend of coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, vanilla, and a splash of orange juice topped with prosecco that’ll put a pep in your step as you explore Newcastle's nearby Christmas Markets!

Slug & Lettuce, Grainger Street & Quayside

This popular chain has two branches in Newcastle, on the Quayside and Grainger Street, and they’ll both be serving up Boujee Christmas Cocktail specials. There’s four to choose from, each with a splash of Santa’s magic. Perhaps you fancy the Gingerbread Dream (Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, gingerbread syrup, double cream and a gingerbread biscuit) or Santa Baby (Smirnoff Vanilla vodka, coconut liquer, cranberry juice and pink grapefruit soda)? That’s not forgetting the Sleighbell Spritz (Gordon’s Sugar Plum gin, grenadine syrup, prosecco and Schweppes lemonade) and Mistletoe Mule (Tanqueray Flor De Sevilla gin, apricot syrup, lemon juice and Schweppes Ginger Ale) too – which also comes in a non-alcoholic version too.

All Bar One, Grey Street

All Bar One have teamed up with Little Moons again this Christmas, continuing their exclusive and delicious cocktail collaboration! Each apres-ski-inspired cocktail arrives with a perfectly paired mochi ball to enjoy too. For example, order the Cinnamon Bun Espresso – featuring Absolut Vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, oat drink and cinnamon roll syrup shaken – and it’ll arrive topped with a delicious Little Moon Salted Caramel Mochi ball! The Smoked Blood Orange Margarita has definitely caught our eye though, with its Olemca Altos Plata 100% Agave tequila with Del Maguey Puebla mezcal, blood orange syrup, Mexican lime, and salt topped with a mouth-watering Little Moons Blood Orange and Pink Grapefruit sorbet mochi ball. Who said ice-cream was just for summer!

The Alchemist, Grey’s Quarter, Eldon Square

Head to the Alchemist this Christmas for their festive menu to enjoy one of their delicious seasonal serves alongside it! There’s a trio to choose from, including The Trifle (Ketel One vodka, Aperol, apple, strawberry, jelly, Advocaat cream foam), Baby It’s Cold Outside (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Tanqueray, elderflower, Alchemist prosecco, Sham sparkle) and Hazelnut Whip (Appleton signature blend rum, Frangelico, Mozart dark chocolate milk, cream, Hazelnut foam). Decisions, decisions…

Leila Lily’s, Grey Street

And last, but by no means least, Leila Lily’s is pulling out all the tinsel and sparkle for the festive season, with seasonal menus and cocktails galore! Their tipples are £9.50 each – or two for £15 – and feature a Choc Orange Martini (Smirnoff Vanilla, Crème de Cacao Blanc, Mouse Kingdom Quad Sec, orange, foaming bitters), the Bah Humbug Hiball (Tanqueray Gin, Pimm’s, cranberry, lime, sugar, Angostura bitters), and Festive Apple Fizz (Smirnoff Red, elderflower, lemon, honey, Inches Cider).

It’s incredible the way a flavour can evoke a mood, especially when it comes to Christmas: a hint of nutmeg, a little tickle of cinnamon, a splash of gingerbread and all of a sudden it’s Christmas Eve. And that’s why Christmas cocktails are so special – they’re a lovely embodiment of the season in liquid form. We’ve suggested some of the best in Newcastle – you know what to do next!

Fancy some good grub before your festive tipples? Check out our round up of the most delicious festive menus in Newcastle.

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