Cheers to the Holidays

04 Dec Cheers to the Holidays

Just last week we expressed our gratitude and shared the things we were thankful for as we celebrated Thanksgiving. This year is a little different than previous years. 2020 has been nothing short of unchartered territory. Nonetheless, in the spirit of gratitude we are encouraged to look on the brighter side of things. Remember to be thankful for the simple things in life. Here are a few things to be cheerful about:

• Having a roof over your head
• Having food on the table
• For Waking up
• To choosing the things that bring you happiness
• Clean water

The list is endless if you allow yourself to embrace a spirit of gratitude. Cheers to that! As we take on Christmas, I am reminded of my siblings and I drinking hot cocoa, helping my mother decorate the house and the family decorating the tree together. My father would be playing what we now consider classic Motown Christmas songs. I love Christmas music. (BRB, I’m going to put some Christmas songs on to take me back to those nostalgic moments) my father would dance around the house drinking his eggnog, we cheerfully sang, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” by Nat King Cole. Mistletoe’s would be hung in the doorways and my siblings and I would snicker when our mom and dad would kiss under the mistletoe. Oh, the memories… the food, the laughter when family and friends would gather, and gumbo… Mmm!

Your tradition is yours and what your recollection of the holidays are may be different from what other people may have experienced. What is one thing you look forward to when the holidays come around? For me, other than baked goods, turkey, dressing and mac-n-cheese (Did you try the recipe I shared?), a great holiday beverage is always a delight. Some drinks that shout “holidays” are eggnog, champagne, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice latte’s, apple cider, rum punch, whiskey cocktails and vodka spritzers, to name a few. Listen… it seems to me if you add cranberries or peppermint to any of your faves you can create a holiday cocktail. I’m sure there are some favorites you could probably share with the “Self-Care Squad” (Self-Care Squad? Is that a thing? IDK).

Remember, self-care is an array of activities and trying new recipes and new things promotes intellectual self-care. So, let’s give this holiday cocktail a try. What are we mixing up?

Cranberry Moscow Mule

Ingredients

• 1 Cup – Cranberries (fresh)
• 1 Lime – (cut into wedges)
• 1 Bunch – Mint Leaves
• ½ Cup – of Sugar
• 6oz – Ginger Beer (I like Reeds and Q Ginger both sold at Target)
• Vodka (I prefer Ketel One but chose your preferred brand)

Combine a cup of fresh cranberries, ½ cup of sugar, and a cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat until the cranberries separate (should take approximately 20 minutes). This process will create a syrup. Strain the syrup in a fine mesh sieve, smashing the cranberries to get as much syrup as possible. Now to the good stuff.

Combine:

• 2oz Vodka
• 1oz Cranberry Syrup
• ½ Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Stir above ingredients in mug or glass (we are working with what we have). Fill mug half full with ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with fresh cranberries, mint sprig, a lime wedge and enjoy! Cheers to the holidays!!!

Let me know how you like this holiday cheer by commenting and sharing the blog with friends and family. Sign up for the newsletter to get the heads up and to be the first to receive the latest blog post.