Tel Aviv nightlife: the best winter cocktails to raise your spirits

Take a trip to Japan's snowy mountains this winter with the "Fujiki." The new sake bar opposite the American Embassy is serving up a cozy, sake-centric drink paired with Don Julio tequila and bananas. The caramelized popcorn garnish adds the perfect sweet notes to counterbalance the smoky Japanese take on a Margarita.

"Kiss @ Fly" (LEFT)

Du-dum. Du-dum. Du-dum-du-dum-du-du-du-du-du-du-AHHHHH! Double Standard is known for its crafty and overly visual serving vessels (like last season's blood bag), and this Jaws-themed cocktail is no exception. The "blood" is actually a mix of vanilla, strawberry syrup, bitters, and gin, with an egg white for that extra foam-from-the-mouth effect.  

"Palapa" (RIGHT)

Looks like egg salad, thank God it doesn't taste like egg salad! This rum-based cocktail gets its yellow color from a mix of pineapple puree and coconut milk, finished with lime and cinnamon for the best darn 'egg salad' you've ever tasted.

While the name alone is charming enough to eat, one sip of this festive cocktail, which marries Calvados, Amaro Nonino, and pear-infused Lillet Rouge with spice syrup, Tio Pepe sherry, and Boker’s bitters, will have you 'pining' for tinsel. Tastes like Christmas.

Looking for the perfect cold cure? Dr. Bizarro has got just the prescription: one strong and smoky cocktail combining Famous Grouse whiskey, Single Malt Glengoyne, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, celery syrup, lemon juice, green Tabasco and ginger beer. Now drink your medicine like a good girl.

SPECIAL BRUNCH COCKTAILS:

"The New Black" (LEFT)

This dark work of art is equal parts palate pleaser, equal parts aesthetic beauty. It's rich, fruity flavor stems from a mixture of Ketel One vodka, raspberry liqueur, St-Germain, absinthe, red fruits, and the piece de la resistance: Szechuan peppers...all topped with a little bubbly.

"Walk of Shame" (RIGHT)

While we prefer to call it the "Stride of Pride," there's nothing shameful about this pumpkin-centric cocktail. Starting with Zacapa rum at its base, the "Walk of Shame" is seasoned with pumpkin seeds, citrus honey, vanilla, pumpkin, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, almond milk, and coconut oil.

The light pink pastel hue of this seasonal cocktail is incredibly inviting and equally delightful to sip. The "Pink Geisha" embodies the essence of winter citrus with gin, peach puree, and cointreau, garnished with a candied cherry and citrus fruits.

The hot chocolate 2.0 is well worth venturing to Florentin for. Alongside Cocktail and Dreams' Israeli sangria and Argentinean tea, this soul-warming rum cocktail is mixed with almond cream and topped with banana whipped cream. Escape to a tropical island with every soothing sip.

"It was a dark and spicy night" at the new gastro-bar on Hakovshim Street. The new gastro-bar on Hakovshim Street serves their alcohol-infused take on Yemenite-style coffee. "Like once" incorporates fresh coffee beans, homemade Vermouth, and orange bitters for a dark and spicy treat to end the evening...or begin it.

The nostalgic American field trip bagged lunch is back and better than ever. Motel, the brainchild of Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar and DeLuxe, has created an adult-friendly PB&J, containing Honey Jack, port, peanut butter and egg whites for a sweet-and-salty cocktail treat. Finished with a jam-topped biscuit, you'll be right back on that yellow school bus in a matter of sips.