5 Cocktails You’ll Be Craving This Winter

Cosy interiors of wood and stone surrounded by fresh powder and expansive mountain views are always memorable. But they’re downright magical with the perfect festive cocktail. The same can be said of overwater bungalows, sunsets and starlit nights.

No matter where you choose to celebrate, here are the must-have drinks for the festive season. Cheers!

Mangoes are abundant all winter long in Mauritius. David Iyapah, Bar Manager at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, recalls that as a boy on the island he would pick ripe mangoes for homemade juice. The memory inspired him to create this refreshing cocktail, pairing the sweet yet tart fruit with rum, lime juice and honey.

“The sweet, refreshing flavour of mango pairs so well with rum,” he says. “The lime in this cocktail adds a little zing to complement the smoothness of the honey for the perfect sunset sip.”

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, head to Blu Beach Club and discover Baa Atoll’s newest lifestyle destination. The lively all-day island hangout is surrounded by a large sun deck, and an 81-foot-long infinity pool with submerged seating divides the lounge and dining zones. Relaxation areas range from three private cabanas to beach-facing beanbags, lounge nets with cushions raised above the sand, and comfy sofas and couches.

The cocktail menu had to live up to the wow factor of the bar, including its optic-fibre–lit “constellation” pool, treetop dining, VIP cabanas and resident DJs, says Eddy Sugiri Haryono, Food and Beverage Manager of Blu Beach Club. Gluggle jugs are fish-shaped water jugs that produce an amusing “glug glug” sound when liquid has been poured out. The team chose a bright blue jug to tie into the theme of the bar. As for the beverage within, “It’s a drink meant to be shared with a friend or loved one,” Sugiri Haryono says.

Amaranto Bar, at the heart of Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, features rich claret tones, dark wood panelling and an eclectic collection of portraits. It’s casual yet elegant – a perfect spot for relaxing with a cool-weather cocktail like the aptly named Winter Wonderland.

“This cocktail captures the feeling of excitement experienced around the city during winter combined with the traditional flavour of roasted chestnuts,” says Lucia Massenzio, a rising star at Amaranto Bar. For a show and a drink, have a seat and watch the Hotel’s mixologists shake their seasonal cocktails. Prefer wine? Take your pick from the exquisite wine wall that runs along both sides of the bar.

Festive celebrations usually (and arguably should) involve indulgent meals and sparkling conversation. But it’s sometimes hard to keep the party going, especially when you’re near a coveted mattress at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora.

“One way to survive a sleep-inducing plate of holiday food is to sip an after-dinner espresso martini or two,” says Vainui Commings, Bartender at Vaimiti. “This assures there will be plenty of energy for dancing and storytelling.” The Resort’s Espresso Martini includes cognac as well as locally made vanilla syrup to infuse the drink with the flavours of French Polynesia. It’s the perfect cocktail for New Year’s Eve, when you’ll marvel at the display of fireworks over the Resort’s starlit lagoon.

In the early 1800s, Jackson Hole was the stomping ground of fur trappers and explorers who discovered the valley ­– a flat “hole” in the mountains tucked into the soaring Tetons. Today, the town’s snow-covered mountains are a mecca for skiers, who flock to area for its world-class runs and some of the steepest and most challenging backcountry skiing in North America. Massive couloirs, scenic ridgeline traverses and easy access from Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole add to the appeal.

This season, the Hotel’s Ascent Lounge is celebrating the iconic slopes and elevating the après-ski experience. Gather around the bar’s wood-burning fireplace or on the heated patio and raise a glass to your time exploring the backcountry – and a local favourite: Wyoming Whiskey, produced in small batches in nearby Kirby, Wyoming, and aged in one of the distillery’s six rick houses. The whiskey’s unique private barrel spices take centre stage in the Back Country Old Fashioned, balanced by house-infused brown sugar syrup with spices and orange.

In search of the ultimate après adventure? Head to the pool deck for complimentary s’mores by the fire and Fahrenheit 47, the Hotel’s pop-up igloo Champagne bar. Get cosy as you sip bubbly in the heated custom dome structure – transformed into a winter wonderland with wood flooring, golden accents, fur furnishings and awe-inspiring 180-degree views of the slopes.