b'Making Spirits BrightHoliday beverages for a merry seasonBY CLAIRE BERRIOST he holidays are upon us, and you know what that meansfamily, friends, fes-tivities and perhaps a visit (or two) from our favorite Christmas spirits. I figured the holiday cocktail equation would be an easy one to crack. Simply take your favorite drink, dunk a peppermint stick in it, and tis the season! Negronis, Shirley Temples, margaritasnothing cant be candy-caned for maximum cheer. But Carlos Quintanilla, the head bartender at Restaurant Lorenas in Maple-wood, says no. Actually, what he says is please dont tell me youre actually doing that, but potato-potahto.Quintanilla is a trained mixologist with years of experience. He crafts most of the sea-sonal cocktails and mocktails youll find on the Lorenas menu. Some of his recent concoc-tions served at the bar include a coconut-lavender mojito, a pineapple bourbon sour and the decadent orange creamsicle margarita. Hes got some winter ideas brewing. Although he wont be giving away all of his secrets, he is graciously giving some insight into how to make the perfect holiday beverage. So, what makes for a good yuletide drink? Any flavor that gives you comfort on a cold winters night, says Quintanilla. Classic Christmas tastes include cinnamon, cloves, anise and cranberry, but his all-time personal favorite is anything with apple cider. Here are three spirit-heavy holiday cocktails you can make at home or order from Quin-tanilla during your next visit to Lorenas!Apple Cider Old Fashioned Jingle Juice1 brown sugar cube 3/4 ounce mulled wine reduction*4 dashes Angostura bitters 1/4 ounce lime juice ounce spiced apple cider 1-1/2 ounces gin2 ounces bourbon Champagne or sparkling wine Soak sugar cube with bitters in a glassCombine all liquids in shaker, except for and muddle. Add cider and bourbonchampagne or sparkling wine. Shake into the glass with a large ice cube.withicetochillandstrainintoa Stir for about 20 seconds to chill.chilled flute. Fill to the top of the Garnish with a cinnamon stick andglass with the champagne or spar-orange peel. kling wine.*to make a reduction, bring your favorite mulled wine to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes until de-sired consistency is achieved.Apple Cider Old Fashioned, a classic cocktail with a seasonalJingle Juice is a Christmas take on twist the popular French 75 cocktail42/ matters magazine / holiday 2024'