This “Everything But Snow” cocktail is the perfect winter tonic

It’s also ideal for a crowd.

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This cocktail is inspired by Jimmy Buffet’s song “Christmas in the Caribbean.”

Photo by Darby Communications

Table of Contents

Tis the season for steaming hot bowls of soup, warm gingerbread cookies, spiked eggnog, and time in the kitchen spent making memories that will last a lifetime. Enter: mixologist Miranda Michaels, the bar manager at The Mule, with her delightful “Everything But Snow” cocktail recipe.

This spiced winter drink was inspired by Jimmy Buffet’s song “Christmas in the Caribbean” and brims with tart cherries, sweet cinnamon, and warm cloves. It can serve a crowd of 30 — or the mulled cherry juice can be halved for a smaller gathering.

Here’s everything you need to get started.

Pro tip: Track down Devil’s Foot beverages with this product finder.

Ingredients

  • 10 cups sour cherry juice (can be found at most grocery stores)
  • 4 star anise pods
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • ½ tbsp. ground cloves or 3 whole cloves
  • A bottle of spiced rum (Miranda likes the Spiced Carolina Rum by Muddy Rivers)
  • Devil’s Foot Sparkling Cherry Limeade (1/2 can per cocktail)
  • 2 navel oranges
  • Cinnamon sticks (1 per cocktail)

Directions

Important note: The mulled cherry juice must be made at least four hours in advance.

1. Make the mulled sour cherry juice.

  • Pour 10 cups of sour cherry juice into a large pot with 4 star anise pods, 4 cinnamon sticks, and cloves (either 1/2 tbsp. ground or 3 whole).
  • Bring the entire mixture to a simmer, then turn down the heat for 40 minutes on low.
  • Turn off heat, pour mixture into a pitcher or jug, and chill in the refrigerator (overnight if possible; at least four hours).

2. Assemble the drink

  • Fill a 12 oz. glass or mason jar with ice. Then add 1.5 oz. spiced rum.
  • Add 1.5 oz. of chilled mulled cherry juice as prepared above.
  • Top with Devil’s Foot Sparkling Cherry Limeade (or similar, for best results) and stir.
  • Garnish with a half orange wheel and a cinnamon stick.
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