December 2025

A great bar cart does more than just hold your spirits; it makes hosting feel effortless.

From winter-forward bottles to mixologist-approved tools, 2025’s holiday essentials blend style, flavor, and functionality in all the right ways. Many of these standout picks also appear in Chilled’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, making them perfect for gifting and entertaining!

Here’s what deserves a spot on every bar cart this season:

1. A Beautiful, Conversation-Starting Bottle

Every bar cart needs at least one bottle that doubles as decor and OLUJO Tequila absolutely delivers. The textured cream-colored ceramic vessel is hand-crafted in Hidalgo, Mexico, with an understated matte finish that instantly elevates any holiday setup. It’s designed to honor the rare tequila inside, but it also looks stunning long after the bottle’s empty.

2. Holiday-Forward Spirits That Do the Heavy Lifting

If there’s one bottle that instantly brings holiday energy to a bar cart, it’s Clyde May’s Special Reserve Bourbon. Rich, warm, and full of those cozy baking-spice notes everyone loves this time of year, it’s the perfect base for Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, whiskey sours… pretty much anything you’d want to sip by a fireplace. The caramel and vanilla notes feel super seasonal, and the higher proof gives cocktails structure without overpowering them. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure!

3. Artisanal Syrups to Upgrade Easy Hosting

The Crescent Simples Holiday Syrup Box, featuring Apple Spice, Cranberry Ginger, and Old Fashioned syrups, brings warm, seasonal flavor while still letting the base spirit shine. Made with real ingredients and crafted for balance, each syrup adds depth without turning a drink into a headache. The set even includes a QR code with recipes, making it easy for hosts to experiment whether they’re stirring up cocktails or zero-proof drinks like spritzes, teas, or soda water!

4. A Set of Gorgeous Glassware

A great holiday bar cart deserves glassware that feels as festive as the drinks, and these Talavera shot glasses are an instant upgrade for the tequila lover in your life. Hand-painted and full of character, these little pieces of art turn even a simple pour into a moment. They’re obviously perfect for tequila tastings, but also mini holiday cocktails, or celebratory sips with guests! Beyond being functional, they add color, personality, and craftsmanship to your setup, making the whole bar cart feel more intentional and entertaining-ready.

5. Statement Ice Stamp

This just may be the easiest upgrade you can make. Grab a custom ice cube stamp, press it onto a large clear cube, and suddenly all of your drinks look like they came from a high-end cocktail bar. Whether you customize it with an initial, a snowflake, or a simple festive design, stamped ice adds instant flair and makes even a basic Old Fashioned feel like a signature house drink. It’s an inexpensive way to bring a little “wow” factor to your bar cart (and your guests will absolutely love it!).

6. A Home Bar Tool Kit that Actually Lasts

A great cocktail starts with great tools, and the Barfly® Diamond Lattice 4-Piece Barware Set instantly upgrades any home setup. The textured diamond pattern gives the pieces a sleek, modern look, while the weight and build quality make shaking and stirring feel smooth and controlled. It’s the kind of set that looks impressive on a holiday bar cart but is durable enough for everyday use. Whether you’re mixing a festive batch cocktail or shaking a single drink for a guest, this kit delivers professional-level performance without the learning curve.

7. Zero-Proof Options That Still Look Premium

A holiday bar cart hits different when everyone has something great to sip, drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Ritual’s Agave Spirit Alternative is perfect for making zero-proof Margaritas, Palomas, or simple citrus highballs that still feel bright and complex. For something warmer and more aromatic, Seedlip Spice 94 brings cozy notes of allspice, citrus, and warm botanicals that fit right into the season. Together, they give guests thoughtful, elevated non-alc options that don’t feel like an afterthought and still match the vibe of a beautifully curated bar cart.

8. A Signature Cocktail Book

Every great bar cart needs a little inspiration, and Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails is the gold standard. With over 500 recipes, gorgeous photography, and deep insights into technique, balance, and flavor-building, it’s a book that instantly elevates any home bartender’s game. Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or just brushing up on craft cocktail basics, this hardcover makes the bar cart feel complete—and offers endless ideas for what to mix next.

The post Holiday Bar Cart Upgrades: This Year’s Must-Haves appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Bringing you what’s new and noteworthy each month. Designed for bartenders and connoisseurs, we choose our favorite bottles, barware and bold ideas stirring up the scene.

Below are ten standout spirits worth sipping, sharing and showing off. 

Evil Bean Spirits Coffee Liqueur

Evil Bean Coffee Liqueur is the flagship release from the irreverent craft brand known for leaning into bold flavors and a not-too-serious attitude. The bottle has a clean, modern silhouette designed to pop on a backbar, but the real star is the liquid: real coffee, rich aromatics, and a velvety sweetness balanced with just enough bitterness to keep cocktails from becoming cloying.

Created with bartenders in mind, this liqueur builds structure in espresso martinis, adds depth to dessert cocktails, and is smooth enough to sip on its own over ice.

SRP: $29.99 / 750 ml

Duck Club™ Bourbon

Created in partnership with country artist Riley Green, Duck Club Bourbon celebrates the traditions of Southern hunting culture with two bottles built for different drinking styles. Both come in tall, rugged glass that echoes classic Americana design, complete with embossed detailing and vintage-feel labels.

The 92 Proof expression blends 5- and 6-year straight bourbons for an easygoing pour with warm oak and gentle sweetness. High Brass, the 110 Proof release, ups the intensity with a blend of 5- and 8-year Kentucky bourbons that deliver deeper caramel, richer spice, and a stronger finish. The brand is built on approachability and outdoor heritage, and the bottles reflect that spirit as much as the whiskey inside.

SRP: $29.99 (92 Proof), $39.99 (High Brass)

Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No. 5 Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The fifth release in Wyoming Whiskey’s celebrated National Parks Series arrives in a beautifully illustrated bottle honoring Glacier National Park. The label features The Three Tetons, an 1897 painting by Thomas Moran, who helped bring the American West to global attention.

The bourbon itself is shaped by Wyoming’s high-elevation aging environment, producing layered notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and soft spice. Created in partnership with the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, this limited-edition series supports conservation efforts with every bottle sold.

The combination of artistic packaging, meaningful mission, and well-crafted liquid makes this one of the most collectible American whiskey releases of the year.

SRP: $79.99 / 750 ml

Highland Park Cask Strength: Heather

Highland Park’s Cask Strength: Heather release embraces the distillery’s Orkney roots with a striking, weighty bottle and embossed detailing inspired by Norse artistry. This expression is bottled at natural cask strength to preserve the raw, undiluted character of the whisky.

Expect signature Highland Park notes of wild heather honey, aromatic smoke, rich malt, and dark fruit. Crafted under the guidance of Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, Heather showcases the distillery’s unique balance of peat and sweetness while delivering powerful flavor for fans of full-strength single malt.

SRP: $110 / 750 ml

Michter’s 20-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

One of the most coveted annual bourbon releases, Michter’s 20-Year comes in a stately bottle with gold accents, a weighted base, and a luxury cork befitting its rarity. Each batch is selected by the Michter’s blending team from barrels that have matured for two full decades, resulting in exceptional depth and complexity.

The bourbon delivers concentrated flavors of dark caramel, seasoned oak, cocoa, and warm spice, with a finish that lingers for minutes. Highly allocated and released in extremely small quantities, the bottle is treated as both a trophy piece and a top-tier sipping experience for serious collectors.

SRP: $1,200 / 750 ml

Garrison Brothers 2025 Cowboy Bourbon

The 2025 Cowboy Bourbon represents the pinnacle of Garrison Brothers’ Texas distilling style. Bottled unfiltered at cask strength, it comes in a heavy, squared-off bottle adorned with the distillery’s signature metal star and a hand-dipped wax seal. Aged at least eight years in the punishing heat of the Hill Country, the bourbon develops an explosive flavor profile filled with toasted marshmallow, dark fruit, caramelized wood, pepper, and campfire smoke.

Selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd, Cowboy Bourbon is one of the brand’s most anticipated annual releases and remains a prized bottle among collectors for its bold flavor, limited availability, and unmistakably Texan identity.

SRP: $249.99 / 750 ml

Marie Brizard Aperitivo

Marie Brizard Aperitivo comes from one of the oldest liqueur houses in France, founded in 1755. The bottle’s slim, bright-red design echoes the European aperitivo tradition while staying modern and eye-catching. Inside, the liquid blends citrus peels, botanicals, and gentle herbal bitterness for a refreshing, versatile flavor profile.

Light, crisp, and low-ABV, it’s ideal for spritzes, brunch cocktails, and easy, sessionable drinks. The combination of heritage, vibrant color, and mixability makes it a go-to bottle for bartenders looking to expand their aperitivo options.

SRP: $20 / 750 ml

Penelope Bourbon Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned

Penelope’s ready-to-serve Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned brings the brand’s signature elegance into a cocktail format. Packaged in a tall, refined bottle with Penelope’s classic gold-accented label, it blends straight bourbon with crisp apple and warming cinnamon to create a seasonal riff on the Old Fashioned.

The liquid is smooth, gently spiced, and balanced, designed to be poured straight from the bottle over a large cube. Ideal for hosts, bourbon lovers, and holiday gatherings, it delivers polished presentation and effortless ease.

SRP: $39.99 / 750 ml

Licor 43 Special-Edition ‘Made in Spain’ Bottle

Licor 43’s special-edition “Made in Spain” release celebrates the brand’s Mediterranean origins with intricate artwork highlighting Spanish craftsmanship. The bottle is instantly giftable, but the liquid remains the classic golden liqueur made from a blend of citrus, vanilla, and aromatic botanicals that has been produced in Cartagena for more than 75 years.

Loved for its versatility, Licor 43 shines in coffee drinks, creamy cocktails, and dessert pairings. This edition spotlights the brand’s cultural roots while elevating the presentation for collectors and fans.

SRP: $30 / 750 ml

Royal Salute 21 Year Old Harris Reed Edition II

Royal Salute returns with its second collaboration with British fashion designer Harris Reed, presented in a dramatic collectible decanter that blends luxury whisky with couture sensibility. The ceramic vessel showcases Reed’s bold, fluid aesthetic and immediately sets it apart as a display piece.

Inside is Royal Salute’s iconic 21 Year Old blend, aged a minimum of two decades and known for its silky notes of ripe fruit, honeyed malt, vanilla, and delicate spice. This edition bridges the worlds of whisky and high fashion, making it a standout for collectors, design lovers, and Scotch fans alike.

SRP: $350 / 750 ml

Chilled’s Top Ten Drops

Chilled’s Top Ten Drops is a monthly editorial series highlighting the most exciting new releases in the world of spirits and mixology. Designed for bartenders, brand partners, and enthusiasts alike, the series celebrates craftsmanship, innovation, and the art of today’s cocktail experience.

The post Chilled’s Top 10 Drops for December 2025 appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The Art Deco-inspired rooftop lounge Ophelia is celebrating the release of Wicked: For Good with a cocktail as enchanting as the sequel itself.

Photos by Ophelia

Meet The Emerald, a vivid green showstopper inspired by Emerald City and served in a whimsical hanging glass that instantly transports guests straight into the Land of Oz.

Available exclusively from November 21 through December 31, this cinematic sip brings a touch of magic to cocktail hour; the perfect sip for fans ready to “defy gravity.”

“A take on the classic Chartreuse Swizzle, The Emerald is presented just like an emerald floating in air. Sweet & sour, herbaceous with notes of melon, this cocktail is elegant and refined.” — Beverage Director Amir Babayoff

Photo by Ophelia

Liqueur

The Emerald

by Amir Babayoff – Beverage Director at Ophelia

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Green Chartreuse
• ½ oz. Midori
• 1 ¼ oz. Honeydew Cordial*
• ¼ oz. Dragoncello
• ¼ oz. Velvet Falernum
• ¼ oz. Lime Juice

Preparation

1. Pour all the ingredients into a highball glass, add crushed ice and swizzle til incorporated, then top with more crushed ice.
2. Add a straw.
3. If you don’t have a swizzle stick, you can use a long spoon or shake all the ingredients with 3 ice cubes for 5 seconds, then pour into a highball glass and top with crushed or pebble ice.

*Honeydew Cordial

---

Ingredients

• juiced honeydew
• 30% sugar
• 1.5% citric acid

Preparation

1. Juice the honeydew in a cold press. Strain with cheese cloth.
2. Weigh the yield by grams and add 30% sugar.
3. Weigh again then add 1.5% citric acid.

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The post Defy Gravity with The Emerald Cocktail at Ophelia in NYC appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

When it comes to luxury sipping, it’s no longer just about age or price — it’s about craft, rarity, innovation, and the experience of each sip.

The 12 spirits featured here aren’t just exceptional; they were recognized as winners in our 2025 Chilled Spirits Awards, setting the standard for what it means to drink luxuriously. From barrel-finished bourbons and aged single malts to artisanal mezcals and sleek modern vodkas, these award-winning selections are redefining what it means to enjoy a truly exceptional spirit.

Whiskey & Bourbon

1. Highland Park 18-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch

Aged in sherry and bourbon casks, this single malt delivers layers of dried fruit, honey, and subtle smoke, with a long, elegant finish. Collectible and refined, it’s a classic luxury scotch that balances richness and complexity.

2. Angel’s Envy 2024 Cask Strength Bourbon

Bold, intense, and finished in port wine barrels, this limited-release bourbon unfolds dark cherry, toasted oak, and warm spice on the palate. Its cask strength intensity makes it both a collectible and a sip to savor slowly.

3. Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye (Sauternes + Toasted Oak Finish)

A rare small-batch rye with finishing casks that impart notes of caramel, stone fruit, and soft tannins, offering a smooth, layered, and luxurious sipping experience.

4. Garrison Brothers Balmorhea

Ultra-limited Texas bourbon aged to perfection, showcasing vanilla, caramel, and subtle baking spices. Its scarcity and craftsmanship make it a must-try for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

5. Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year

Aged craft whiskey with rich toffee, dried fruit, and light smoke, Mountain Angel 10 Year is rare, refined, and perfect for savoring neat or over a large ice cube.

6. Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition

This Tennessee whiskey honors Nearest Green’s legacy, combining honeyed caramel, toasted oak, and spice in a masterfully balanced blend that elevates the art of sipping.

Tequila & Mezcal

7. 1800 Milenio

Ultra-limited, extra-aged tequila with rich vanilla, cocoa, and agave sweetness, offering a smooth, layered, and indulgent sip for luxury tequila aficionados — and captivated the 2025 judges.

8. Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo

Aged in sherry, Scotch, and brandy casks, this tequila layers toasted vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, and a hint of spice, delivering a velvety, decadent finish.

9. Gran Coramino Añejo & Cristalino

A collaboration blending celebrity insight with master craftsmanship, this tequila offers silky smoothness, hints of honeyed oak, and soft tropical fruit, making it a rare luxury sip.

10. Código 1530 Rosa & Reposado

Finished in Napa Cabernet oak, this small-batch tequila is visually stunning and richly flavored with roasted agave, caramel, and subtle red wine tannins — modern luxury at its finest.

11. Derrumbes Mezcals (Oaxaca, Durango, San Luis Potosí)

Artisanal, terroir-driven mezcals highlighting smoky agave, citrus, and earthy notes, crafted in small batches for a premium, collectible sipping experience.

Vodka

12. NEFT Vodka

Ultra-filtered, small-batch vodka with sleek modern packaging, delivering clean, silky smooth flavors with hints of grain and mineral. Perfect neat or in elevated cocktails.

The post 12 Spirits That Are Redefining Luxury Sipping appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Shop Leilo Kava in our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide!

The no-ABV movement is booming — and it’s not just a Dry January or Sober October thing anymore.

More bartenders, home entertainers, and wellness-minded drinkers are looking for ways to unwind that feel elevated without the alcohol. Enter Leilo, the kava-powered drink redefining what it means to relax with flavor, function, and a little personality.

But what is kava?

Kava is a plant root traditionally used in the South Pacific for its naturally calming, mood-soothing effects. It’s brewed into a drink that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and creates a gentle sense of ease — all without alcohol.

Leilo delivers “calm you can feel,” pairing smooth kava and l-theanine with bright, refreshing flavors that make non-alc drinking feel fun instead of restrictive. It’s crisp, clean, and crafted for the perfect wind-down moment: post-shift, pre-bed, or anytime you want a chill vibe without the booze.

Unboxing the lineup is where things get exciting. Each flavor brings its own mood.

• Blackberry Orange – juicy + zesty
• Raspberry Hibiscus – floral, fruity, super sippable
• Tangerine Mango – tropical sunshine in a can
• Lemon Ginger – bright with a warming kick
• Lime Margarita – zero-proof but full fiesta energy
• Piña Colada – creamy, beachy, vacation-mode flavor
• Moscow Mule – gingery, refreshing, classic-with-a-twist
• Tango Berry – bold, tart, berry-forward

It’s a lineup built for swapping, sharing, and discovering your new favorite no-ABV ritual.

We had bartender Aria Levermann unbox the full Leilo collection so you can see every flavor and exactly how kava fits into a modern drinking routine.

How to Enjoy Leilo

• Chill it first – Leilo tastes best ice-cold. Pop it in the fridge or pour it over ice.
• Sip it straight from the can – It’s formulated as a ready-to-drink kava beverage — nothing else needed.
• Pour it into a glass – For a more “cocktail moment,” serve it over ice with a lime wedge or fresh fruit.

The post Unbox the Leilo Kava Experience with Chilled appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

We’re excited to welcome Chai Lee as the new National Director of our Chilled Ambassador Network!

Chai is stepping in to lead our incredible network of bartenders across the country—helping them level up their craft and tell their stories in the way only a bartender can.

As our Ambassador Network expands into new markets and grows in number, Chai will guide our bartender community into its next chapter—supporting members who are focused on professional development and personal brand building.

Her experience, energy, and passion for the industry make her the ideal leader to strengthen the network and keep raising the bar—and our spirits—for what our Ambassador Network can accomplish together.

Joining Chilled and working with this community of bartenders is such an exciting opportunity, I’m truly energized by the chance to connect with people who are passionate about developing their craft and pushing the culture of hospitality forward,” says Chai.

““As the new National Director of the Chilled Ambassador Network, my goal is to create meaningful programs, elevate the ambassador experience, and foster a strong network where creativity, education, and mentorship thrive. I look forward to championing the talent within our industry and supporting the next generation of leaders who will shape its future.”

Interested in joining our Chilled Ambassador Network? Click here or contact Chai@chilledmagazine.com.

The post Chilled Media Welcomes Chai Lee as the New National Director of the Chilled Ambassador Network appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News