Holiday season means parties and gatherings, and I love both hosting and attending. Sharing good company, festive surroundings, and a welcoming table is one of my favorite parts of the season. I’ll be greeting guests with a luxurious Winter Sunrise cocktail — a smoked hibiscus drink that feels elegant and seasonal while staying simple to prepare.
I’ve been experimenting with cocktails lately for my upcoming cookbook, and this spiced hibiscus recipe quickly became a favorite. It’s smoky, refreshing, and gently sweet — ideal for entertaining or sipping by the stove on a chilly morning. The profile balances bright citrus, warming spices, and the floral-tart hibiscus, all rounded by bourbon.
- Ginger and nutmeg: Freshly grated ginger adds a warm zip, and freshly grated nutmeg on top finishes each drink with a holiday note.
- Orange and lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens the hibiscus, while orange slices add sweetness and visual appeal.
- Smoked cinnamon: Optional, but smoking the glass with a cinnamon stick gives a lovely smoky aroma and flavor.
- Bourbon whiskey: Bourbon pairs beautifully with bold hibiscus and the spices in this cocktail.
- Glassware: Coupe or any stemmed cocktail glass works well — use what you have for an elegant presentation.
Tips
A shaker set makes this easiest, but a clean jar works fine as a substitute. Brew the hibiscus tea ahead of time since it needs to steep and cool a little before shaking. After smoking the glass with a lit cinnamon stick, you can tuck that same cinnamon stick (burnt side up) into the drink as a garnish.
Substitutions
This recipe is balanced with bourbon, but you can swap in rum, brandy, or cognac if you prefer. To make a nonalcoholic version, omit the bourbon — the spiced hibiscus tea is delightful on its own.
Winter Sunrise Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker or an empty jar
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ice
- 2/3 cup hibiscus tea, strongly brewed and cooled
- 4 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 oz agave, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 dash cinnamon
- 2 orange slices, plus 2 more to serve
- Nutmeg, freshly grated
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients (except the extra orange slices and nutmeg) with ice. Double strain into smoked glasses.
- Grate fresh nutmeg over each cocktail and serve with a slice of orange.
- To smoke the glasses: light two cinnamon sticks, let them smolder, then place the cocktail glasses over the smoking sticks for about 30 seconds. Immediately fill the glasses with cocktail to capture the aroma.
Notes
- Substitute the bourbon with rum, brandy, or cognac if you prefer.
- To make it alcohol-free, omit the bourbon and enjoy it as a spiced hibiscus tea.
Nutrition