Athens restaurant hosts Christmas pop-up bar, with decor that wows and 9 festive cocktails
If you’re looking for festive drinks and over-the-top holiday decor, one Athens restaurant has you covered
The Expat, located on South Lumpkin Street, has transformed into a Miracle pop-up bar, which showcases the Christmas spirit by offering a select group of holiday-inspired drinks. Miracle is concept that started in 2014 and has partner restaurants across the country. The Expat's pop-up features over 10,000 lights and an overload of festive decorations, including Christmas trees, red and white striped wrapping on the walls with matching table cloths, and a cozy fireplace with stockings hanging.
Both floors of the restaurant are decorated in-full for the Miracle pop-up, which runs until Dec. 30.
"Our customers say that it's 'The perfect way to kick off the holiday season,'" said Trent Parker, manager of The Expat.
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The Expat’s Instagram said for patrons to “pull out your most festive attire, and get ready to enjoy some delicious holiday spirits.”
Drinks range from a play on traditional cocktails, such as the “Christmapolitan” to a cold-weather favorite such as “Hot Buttered Rum.”
Here’s the full list of The Expat’s Miracle cocktails:
Christmapolitan: vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary and absinthe mist.
Snowball Old-Fashioned: rye whiskey, gingerbread, aromatic and wormwood bitters and orange essence.
Carol Barrel: Irish whiskey, banana liqueur, Jamaican navy strength rum, Guinness punch, lime, aromatic and chocolate bitters and nutmeg.
Koala Cooler: applejack, blane vermouth, aquavit, spiced apple, lime, celery shrub, eucalyptus bitters, mint and soda.
Christmas Cricket: blanco tequila, vanilla liqueur, minty amaro, coco pandan, cream and mole bitters.
Elfing Around #2: cognac, mulled wine reduction, champagne, lemon, aromatic bitters and absinthe.
Jingle Balls Nog: cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg.
Hot Buttered Rum: aged Jamaican rum, velvet falernum, mixed spiced butter, oat milk and nutmeg.
Mulled Wine: mulled red wine, tawny port, orange liqueur and Christmas spices.
What is a Miracle pop-up bar?
Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting, according to its website. The pop-up bars, which are now located across the globe, started in 2014 by New York City bar owner, Greg Boehm.
The Expat is one of only two Georgia bars participating. Tapa Tapa in Atlanta is also participating.
Miracle also sells special glasswares such as Santa Pants, Christmas Carol Barrel and Santa’s Head mugs. At the end of the season, Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the retail sales of those glasswares to Seva, a "nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight," according to Miracle's website.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: The Expat in Athens hosts Miracle bar Christmas pop-up
