25 Nov 16th–Nov 22Nd, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Holiday Spirits Miracle Bar and Sippin’ Santa bring festive cheer to Phoenix bars. BY TIRION BOAN C hristmas is coming early at two local cocktail bars. Miracle Bar, a national series of pop-ups that transforms regular bars into holiday wonderlands, is rolling up to Floor 13 Rooftop Bar atop the Hilton Garden Inn. Sippin’ Santa, a tiki version complete with Santa in sandals and blow-up flamingos, will take over Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour. Sippin’ Santa kicks off the celebrations on Nov. 15 and Miracle at Floor 13 starts the next day, Nov. 16. At the Miracle on Floor 13 pop-up, the 2023 menu brings back favorites from years past including the Christmapolitan made with vodka, elderflower and spiced cranberry sauce; and The Christmas Cricket, a newer cocktail that made its debut in 2022. The festive sipper is made with tequila, vanilla liqueur and mole bitters. New menu items at Miracle this year include Rudolph’s Replacement which includes vodka, coffee liqueur, white creme de cacao, orange curacao, chai, almond milk and bitters; and Marshmallows & Unicorns, made with gin, vanilla liqueur, velvet falernum, cherry liqueur, cardamom, black pepper, marsh- mallow, lemon, egg white, tiki bitters and soda. At Bitter & Twisted, things will take a decidedly more tropical turn with Sippin’ Santa. Returning drinks include the Holiday on Ice made with vodka, cold brew coffee, and spicy chile liqueur and the Jingle Bird which includes bourbon along with pineapple rum and juice. New creations will also be on the menu, such as the Merry Spritzmas, a bubbly option with prosecco, tawny port, fig preserves and cardamom bitters; and the Ginger Snapper which includes navy strength rum and macadamia nut liqueur. Many of the drinks served at Miracle and Sippin’ Santa are served in festive glassware and colorful mugs. Those keep- sakes will also be available for purchase. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Miracle Bar concept, which started in New York City. The popular pop-up spread around the country and the world, bringing festive drinks and decor to bars far and wide. In 2023, close to 200 bars will trans- form into Miracle Bars throughout the holiday season, according to a news release. “It’s incredibly exciting to be kicking off the 2023 season, almost a decade to when we first started,” Miracle founder Greg Boehm said in the release. “Witnessing the growth and transformation of Miracle and Sippin’ Santa, along with the addition of numerous cities and partners to the family, makes each season even more remarkable than the last.” This is the fourth year that Miracle will take over Floor 13 in Phoenix. Sippin’ Santa first took over Bitter & Twisted in 2019. Reservations for Miracle Bar can be made on the Floor 13 website. At Bitter & Twisted, the experience is walk-in only and guests will be able to join a Yelp waitlist online. Sippin’ Santa at Bitter & Twisted Starting Nov. 15 1 W. Jefferson St. Miracle Bar at Floor 13 Starting Nov. 16 15 E. Monroe St. The Sippin Santa pop-up bar is here for you. (Photo by Bitter & Twisted)
