Season of Sippables: Christmas Drink Pairings for a Holiday Readathon

2020, what challenges ye hath wrought.

Had you told me a year ago that I would be wearing a facemask to the post office when I went to drop off my Christmas cards, I would certainly have looked at you funny.

But such is the world that we live in.

Unpredictable.

Complex.

Ever-changing.

Given how crazy this year has been, I think this year we could all use a little something extra to be joyful about. And it is for this reason that I am so thrilled to participate in Forever’s 2020 readathon of SEASON OF JOY by Annie Rains.

This cute-as-can-be novel promises to provide just the escape from our profoundly complex existence that I need right now.

While I’m reading, I’m going to be sipping away at cocktails and other concoctions. Check out the drinks that will be sitting on my sofa table, below.

For each day of the 5-day readathon, I have prepared an alcoholic drink – my personal preference – as well as a non-alcoholic one.

Whether you’re partaking in this particular readathon or not, I hope you find these sippables a merry addition to your holiday festivities.

Day 1 

White Christmas Sangria

(Alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 6 oz of your favorite white wine

• ¼ of a pear, sliced finely

• ¼ c. of cranberries

Instructions:

1. In a stemless wine glass, layer pear slices and cranberries to suit your aesthetic.

2. Pour wine over the top.

3. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours before drinking to allow flavors to marry.

4. Garnish with extra cranberries and a pear star (cut manually or using a small cookie cutter) if desired.

Candy Cane White Hot Chocolate

(Non-alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 2 c. milk

• 2 oz white chocolate

• 2 candy canes (full-sized)

• Whipped cream for garnish

Instructions:

1. Crush one candy cane.

2. In a saucepan, combine milk, white chocolate, and ½ of your crushed candy cane.

3. Heat over medium/low heat until the chocolate has melted and the candy cane pieces have dissolved.

4. Pour hot chocolate into a mug. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane. Add a whole candy cane for garnish if desired.

Day 2

Winter Snowflake Hot & Cozy Cocktail

(Alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• ½ oz of white chocolate

• 1 tbsp caramel sauce

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ c. milk

• 4 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream

• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe mug, combine milk, white chocolate, caramel, and vanilla.

2. Microwave for 60 seconds or until it is hot and the ingredients are fully combined.

3. Add Baily’s and stir to combine. For a milder drink, reduce quantity to 2 oz of Baily’s.

4. Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

Raspberry Mint Mocktail

(Non-alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 2 c. club soda

• 8 raspberries

• 1 lime quartered

• 8 mint leaves

• 1 tsp sugar

Instructions:

1. Place raspberries, lime, mint, and sweetener into a glass.

2. Muddle together until raspberries are crushed and the lime has released its juices. Use the handle of a wooden spoon if you do not have a muddler.

3. Add ice to glass.

4. Top with club soda and stir gently to combine.

5. Garnish with mint leaves or raspberries if desired.

Day 3

Festive Mint Hot Chata

(Alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 1 packet hot cocoa mix

• 2 oz RumChata

• 1 oz peppermint schnapps

• Whipped cream

• Andes mints

Instructions:

1. Prepare hot cocoa according to package instructions. Use milk in place of water for a creamier drink.

2. To your cocoa, add 2 oz RumChata and peppermint schnapps.

3. Top with whipped cream and coarsely chopped Andres mints to garnish.

Eggnog Hot Chocolate

(Non-alcoholic) 

Ingredients:

• 1 c. eggnog

• ½ c. milk

• Splash of vanilla extract

• ½ oz white chocolate

• whipped cream
  
  

Instructions:

1. Coarsely chop white chocolate.

2. In a saucepan, stir together eggnog, milk, vanilla, and chopped white chocolate.

3. Heat over medium/low heat, stirring regularly, until chocolate has melted.

4. Remove from and pour into a mug, topping with whipped cream.

Day 4 

Cranberry Orange Prosecco

(Alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Cranberry Juice

• 1 oz Orange Liqueur

• 6 oz Prosecco

• Fresh Cranberries & Orange Twists (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a champagne flute, combine cranberry juice and orange liqueur.

2. Top with prosecco, filling to top.

3. Garnish with fresh cranberries and an orange twist.

Cranberry Pineapple Ho-ho-holiday Punch

(Non-alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• ¼ c. Pineapple Juice

• ¼ c. Cranberry Juice

• ½ c. Ginger Ale

• ⅛ c. Cranberries

• ¼ Lime, finely sliced

Instructions:

1. In a short glass, combine pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and ginger ale.

2. Add ice.

3. Add cranberries and sliced lime, stirring gently to combine.

Day 5

Christmas Morning Coffee Cocktail

(Alcoholic) 

Ingredients:

• 1 c. Coffee

• 6 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream

• 2 oz Flavored Vodka (vanilla or caramel recommended)

• Options: 6 oz milk or half-and-half

Instructions:

1. Pour brewed coffee into ice cube trays and freeze overnight.

2. In a short glass, combine Baily’s with flavored vodka, stirring to mix.

3. *If you prefer a milder drink, you can add milk or half-and-half as well.

4. Add coffee ice cubes.

Snowflake Caramel White Mocha

(Non-alcoholic) 

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Coffee

• 1 c. milk

• ½ tsp white chocolate syrup

• ½ tsp caramel syrup

• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Brew coffee using your preferred method. Pour into a mug.

2. In a saucepan or frother, heat milk until foamy.

3. Add white chocolate and caramel syrups to brewed coffee, stirring to combine.

4. Add heated milk to the mug.

5. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with caramel if desired.

Seasons reading, and sipping, Drink.Read.Repeaters!