Cleveland holiday pop-up bar serves festive cocktails with theatrical flair

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -Holiday pop-up bars are appearing throughout Cleveland, offering festive drinks and elaborate decorations for the season.

St. Nick’s Speakeasy on East Fourth Street has transformed Society Speakeasy into a holiday-themed cocktail destination.

The staff at the establishment, demonstrated three signature drinks from the extensive holiday menu during a recent visit.

The Christmas Angel, described as the most popular drink on the menu, is the bar’s take on an espresso martini. The cocktail includes Kettle One vodka, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, house-made cold brew, and homemade vanilla syrup.

The drink is topped with cold foam and garnished with a toasted marshmallow that is flambéed tableside.

The Elfed Up is a gin-based cocktail made with Tanqueray 10, Carpano vermouth, and fresh tonic.

The stirred drink is garnished with sugared cranberries and smoked rosemary.

The Merry and Bright is a bourbon-based martini.

The cocktail uses Jim Beam Black as its base, combined with Antica vermouth, house-made rosemary honey, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.

The drink requires double straining due to fresh cranberries in the mixture and is topped with cranberry foam made from heavy whipping cream and cranberry juice. It is garnished with fresh rosemary and cranberries.

For home bartenders planning holiday parties, Casey recommended batching cocktails in advance.

“Batching is definitely the way to go,” she said. “So then you can just stir or shake and put your garnish on and everybody’s happy.”