Top 5 Festive Cocktails to Enjoy on the Terrace with Ocean Views
Whether you’re planning a romantic seaside evening, reuniting with family, or treating yourself, our festive drinks bring celebration right to your glass.
Located on the South Coast, The NICI is surrounded by cool sea air and the rhythm of the waves, with a crisp coastal chill that makes sipping cocktails feel all the more refreshing. This is also the time of year when the terrace at Old Harry Rocks becomes a sparkling, cosy haven. Wrapped in blankets and surrounded by sparkling lights, gather on the shorefront to sip festive cocktails and soak in spectacular ocean views.
This season, our team has crafted five incredible cocktails designed to make your winter shine. Whether you’re planning a romantic seaside evening, reuniting with family, or simply giving yourself permission to indulge, these festive drinks bring celebration right to your glass.
So, settle in, get comfortable, and let’s explore the flavours that define the season.
1. Mulled Wine Negroni – £12
With Old Harry’s own mulled wine shaken into the mix, the Mulled Wine Negroni takes everything we love about winter: warm spice, rich fruit, and fragrant citrus, and blends it into a beautifully complex twist on a classic. Campari and sweet vermouth create the familiar Negroni bite, while the mulled wine adds a velvety, festive warmth.
Made for couples and groups, this cocktail is best enjoyed outside on the terrace, hands wrapped around the glass as the waves collide. It’s cosy, stylish, and the perfect start to a festive evening!
2. Nutcracker Sour – £12
The Nutcracker Sour feels like a comforting hug in a glass, with the depth of Hennessy, the pear notes of Xanté and the rich hazelnut sweetness of Frangelico. Fresh lemon juice provides a subtle lift, while chocolate bitters add a final touch of indulgence.
Perfect for couples, parents, and families gathering for seasonal celebrations, this cocktail strikes just the right balance between comforting and refreshing. It’s festive without overwhelming sweetness, making it a great choice for a lively catch-up or a relaxed afternoon on the terrace.
3. Winter Fall Royale – £18
If you’re looking to add sparkle to the season, the Winter Fall Royale is the showstopper! Mermaid Salt Vodka brings a crisp coastal edge, in homage to our beachside surroundings, while Chambord and crème de figue provide delicious, rich berry and fig notes. A top-up of Moët finishes the drink with celebratory style!
This cocktail is made for moments that matter, the kind where couples raise glasses during golden hour or toast a special occasion by the sea. It’s glamorous, luxurious, and absolutely delicious.
4. Old Harry Gateau – £12
The Old Harry Gateau is a nostalgic nod to traditional flavours, reinvented with a festive twist. Jägermeister provides an herbal foundation, while Heering cherry, Chambord, strawberry, lime, and vanilla build a dessert-like richness that feels warm and familiar without ever becoming heavy.
It’s a cocktail that older family members especially love, though its flavours speak to anyone who appreciates a classic winter treat. It’s smooth, comforting, and pairs beautifully with seasonal dishes.
5. Marshmallow Martini – £13
The Marshmallow Martini is pure festive fun! Inspired by toasting marshmallows by the fire, this sweet and playful drink brings together marshmallow vodka, creamy Mozart white chocolate liqueur, and a touch of grenadine for a rosy glow. It’s indulgent, whimsical, and absolutely perfect for guests who like their cocktails with a touch of nostalgia. Enjoy it after dinner, as a dessert, or simply because it’s too delicious to resist!
Festive Cocktails Meet Seasonal Feasting
Our festive cocktails shine on their own, but the experience becomes even more magical when paired with Old Harry Rocks’ winter menus. Whether you’re settling in for a long Sunday roast by the ocean or diving into our festive dining selection, there’s a flavour pairing waiting to transform your visit.
The Sunday Roast
Old Harry Rocks’ Sunday Roast, available as two courses for £29 or three courses for £35, offers a generous and leisurely seaside feast. Start with options such as wild mushroom soup with cheese beignet and truffle oil, whisky-cured salmon with crisp shallots and sauce gribiche, or duck liver parfait accompanied by pear, cranberry, and warm brioche. Follow with hearty mains like slow roast pork belly with Yorkshire pudding, top rump of beef with all the trimmings, leg of lamb, half roast chicken, monkfish goujons with citrus herb mayo, or baked winter squash with mixed grains, cranberry, and crushed feta.
For the table, our kitchen prepares roasted potatoes, cauliflower cheese, bacon-roasted carrots, braised red cabbage, and unlimited gravy, ensuring every plate is full and every appetite satisfied! Finish with indulgent desserts such as our Black Forest sundae, creamy truffle brie with honey, espresso martini tiramisu, speculoos caramel doughnuts, or lemon meringue pie.
Sophisticated Festive Dining
Our Festive Main Menu offers a delicious selection of small, medium and large plates, featuring dishes such as the much beloved pigs in blankets with cranberry sauce, an Alpine ham and Taleggio cheese “toastie,” and tender venison carpaccio served with juniper squash and blackberry dressing.
For those seeking a more traditional festive feast, our Festive Set Menu brings together timeless favourites that guarantee those desired winter flavours, alongside a warm, celebratory spirit. Guests can enjoy turkey wrapped in bacon with classic garnishes, plancha-cooked bass served with Jerusalem artichoke purée and delicate crab tortellone, or a beautifully baked winter squash filled with mixed grains and cranberries.
Our desserts continue the festive celebration, with choices such as traditional Christmas pudding served with brandy snaps and custard, a comforting apple and cinnamon crumble with vanilla ice cream, or a decadent helping of truffle brie with honey and crackers.
Vegetarian and vegan diners are equally spoilt for choice with a winter menu full of hearty seasonal dishes! Starters include pumpkin and chestnut soup with a cheese beignet, wild mushrooms served on toasted brioche, and a plate of mozzarella, fig, radicchio, and truffle honey. Satisfying mains such as chargrilled halloumi with spelt and hazelnut or baked winter squash make the perfect winter warmers, while a classic apple strudel with vanilla ice cream provides the perfect sweet finish.
Celebrate the Season at Old Harry Rocks
This winter, Old Harry Rocks transforms into a festive, coastal retreat filled with warmth, flavour, and celebration. Our terrace becomes a haven of blankets, flickering lights, and stunning sea views, while our expert bar and kitchen teams work together to deliver the very best of the season.
Whether you’re sipping a Marshmallow Martini as the sun sets over the wintry horizon, sharing a Nutcracker Sour with the family, or raising a glass of Winter Fall Royale, every moment feels special.
With festive cocktails, indulgent menus, vegetarian delights, and a setting that captures the magic of winter by the sea, Old Harry Rocks invites you to celebrate, savour, relax, and enjoy!
