I Tried All the Cocktails at Omni’s Blitzen’s Bar—Here’s What’s Worth Ordering

Espresso-Ho Ho Martini

‘Twas the weekend before Christmas, and suddenly everyone—and their entire group chat—wanted in on a holiday pop-up bar. These festive pop-ups, which have flooded nearly every major city, are sure to be loaded with customers this weekend and next week. And if you’re still plotting on what holiday bar you plan on visiting with your squad, I’ve got all the boozy details about a pop-up that’s available in multiple cities across the country.

Returning this year is Omni Hotel’s Blitzen’s Bar, and the pop-up is available in additional cities this year, including my home base of Atlanta, Georgia. Given that the cocktail menu for Blitzen’s Bar is crafted by renowned mixologist, bar owner and author Julie Reiner, I knew I had to pay a visit.

Here in Atlanta, Blitzen’s Bar is located inside of Vues Lobby Bar at the Omni Centennial Park. It’s a pretty spacious lounge, so you’ll find most of the holiday decor at the bar. I’d recommend sitting here if you can. In total, there are eight cocktails on the menu (plus one mocktail). Here’s what I’ll absolutely be ordering on my next visit:

Frost Bite

This was hands-down my favorite cocktail at Blitzen’s. Not only was the Frost Bite absolutely delicious, but it was also the most aesthetically-pleasing of all the sips I sampled. With ingredients that included rum, coconut, pineapple, curacao and lime, it tasted like a holiday vacation in the tropics. It flaunted a bluish-green color and was topped with shredded coconut. I do wish there was a dash of nutmeg to tie in the holiday vibes.

Naughty Or Spice

First off the cinnamon-sugar rim on the Naughty Or Spice was outstanding. There was a welcome bit of citrus flavor, so I’m assuming that lemon juice was used to bind the cinnamon-sugar rim to the glass. Honestly, to me it tasted like a Dark & Stormy minus the bubbles. I didn’t get much pumpkin flavor, but all-in-all this was a solid cocktail.

The Blitzen

So in my notes I have written: “very boozy Old Fashioned.” I wouldn’t say that sums up The Blitzen, but it’s a pretty accurate description. The Blitzen is absolutely a higher ABV cocktail, but there’s ginger, apple and bitters, so you’re also getting a taste of the season with each sip. Oh! And the cocktail is presented in an ornament and then poured into your glass. I thought that was super fun. I do think branding the ornament with “Blitzen’s Bar” and letting customers keep the ornament once they’re done would have been a great touch.

The Other Guys

Also, I wanted to share a little tea on the other cocktails that weren’t my faves in case they might be a favorite for someone else. The Oy To The World was promising, especially since I love mezcal, but it was wayyy too spicy. I couldn’t really get a feel for the combination of flavors because my throat was on fire.

I really wanted to love the Espresso-Ho Ho Martini because I love a good Espresso Martini, but it just fell flat. It was a bit too sweet due to the addition of coffee liqueur and simple syrup, and it just tasted unremarkable. I’m not a gin martini girly, but I had to at least try a sip of the Mistletoe Martini. It was a no for me, but I’m sure someone out there will love it.

Unfortunately, the Atlanta Blitzen’s Bar location didn’t have anything on the “Snack” menu or The Gilded Grinch (a Dubai hot chocolate that can be spiked with whiskey or Baileys), so I can’t speak on those. Although there isn’t a specific end date for each location, Blitzen’s Bar will likely come to an end during the first week of January. Lastly, I didn’t include individual prices, because I’m sure they vary by location, but here in Atlanta the cocktails ranged in price from $16 - $17.