Holiday season is in full swing, and I’m thrilled to share one of my favorite festive drinks. If you follow me on Instagram you know I love hosting — setting a welcoming table and gathering friends and family always feels special. I’ll greet guests with this elegant Winter Sunrise cocktail, a smoky, spiced hibiscus drink that’s both simple to make and impressive to serve.
I’ve been experimenting with cocktails for my upcoming cookbook and this spiced hibiscus recipe stood out. It has a smoky note, bright citrus, and just the right amount of sweetness. It’s great for entertaining because it looks beautiful and comes together quickly.
- Ginger and nutmeg: Freshly grated ginger adds warmth and a touch of holiday spice; freshly grated nutmeg on top gives the finished cocktail a fragrant lift.
- Orange and lemon: A squeeze of lemon brightens and balances the hibiscus, while orange slices add sweetness and visual appeal.
- Smoked cinnamon: Optional but lovely — smoke the glass with a cinnamon stick for a subtle smoky aroma that complements the hibiscus and bourbon.
- Bourbon whiskey: Bourbon pairs well with strongly brewed hibiscus, giving the drink depth and body.
- Glassware: Coupe or any stemmed cocktail glass works well; I used coupe glasses for a festive look.
Tips
If you have a shaker set, it makes prep easier; an empty jar works fine in a pinch. Make the hibiscus tea ahead of time since it needs to steep and cool before you shake the cocktail. After smoking the glass with a cinnamon stick, you can leave the stick in the drink as a garnish with the burnt end facing up for a dramatic touch.
Substitutions
The recipe is well balanced with bourbon, but you can substitute your favorite rum, brandy, or cognac. For a nonalcoholic version, omit the spirit and enjoy it as a spiced hibiscus tea served in your favorite cocktail glass.
Winter Sunrise Cocktail
Jenné Claiborne
Equipment
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1 Cocktail shaker or an empty jar
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ice
- 2/3 cup hibiscus tea, strongly brewed and cooled
- 4 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 oz agave, + more to taste
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 dash cinnamon
- 2 orange slices, + 2 more to serve
- nutmeg, freshly grated
Instructions
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Shake all ingredients except the extra orange slices and nutmeg with ice. Double strain into smoked glasses.
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Grate fresh nutmeg over each cocktail and garnish with an orange slice.
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To smoke the glasses: light two cinnamon sticks, let them catch, then blow out the flame and place the glasses over the smoking sticks for about 30 seconds. Immediately fill the glasses with the cocktail to capture the smoky aroma.
Notes
- The bourbon can be swapped for rum, brandy, or cognac.
- To make it alcohol-free, omit the bourbon — it’s a flavorful spiced hibiscus tea on its own.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 14g
| Protein: 0.2g
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