It started in 2014 as a kitschy pop-up in New York City, a way to keep holiday spirits bright and potential customers intrigued while owner Greg Boehm put the finishing construction touches on Mace, his hip cocktail establishment that wasn’t quite ready to open in the East Village.
Only the monthlong novelty didn’t wear off. People so loved the idea that the aptly named Miracle not only returned to the Big Apple—but it became a global phenomenon. Today, Miracle pop-ups, in all their festively decorated splendor, are serving holiday-inspired cocktails in more than 80 locations around the world, including its second consecutive appearance at Death or Glory in Delray Beach (116 NE Sixth Ave.).
Bars in Canada, England, Mexico and all over the United States pay a franchise fee and purchase custom glassware by Cocktail Kingdom to operate the pop-up. That gives them access to a dozen drink recipes with fun, seasonally inspired names—like Bad Santa, Jingle Balls Nog, Run Run Rudolph, Gingerbread Flip, Christmapolitan, and one connected to “Die Hard” (yes, it’s a holiday classic; the plot unfolds on Christmas Eve!) that we can’t print because this is a family magazine.
The Miracle glassware at Death or Glory is available for purchase; 10 percent of the sales will be donated to Action Against Hunger, the international humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger. The pop-up is open daily, 4 p.m.-2 a.m., through Dec. 31.
Christmas Carol Barrel
Ingredients
1 ounce El Dorado 8-year Demerara rum
1 ounce lime aquavit
1/2 ounce Amaro Averna
2 ounces Pumpkin Pie mix*
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce orange juice
4 dashes Angostura bitters
Add ingredients to ice-filled shaker. Shake lightly. Strain into Christmas Carol Barrel glassware by Cocktail Kingdom (or comparable glass) and fill with crushed ice. Garnish with nutmeg.
* Pumpkin Pie mix, an original Miracle syrup, is made with 1 part unsweetened coconut milk, 1 part pure pumpkin puree, and 2 parts gingerbread syrup, which is yet another original Miracle recipe, made with cane sugar, molasses, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and more.
