Maybe it’s the amount of money we spend in a six-week span that should honestly require a financial support group. Maybe it’s the back-to-back holiday parties where you’re trapped in an overpacked room pretending you’re not overstimulated. Or maybe it’s the fact that everyone shows up.
And I mean everyone.
If your family is anything like mine, the kids are everywhere, the dogs are underfoot, someone’s child is screaming (probably mine), and there’s always that one person who’s been there too long, holding a drink, watching the chaos like it’s a spectator sport. CHAOS. Festive chaos—but chaos nonetheless.
That’s why during the holidays, I stay stocked. Not with patience. With cocktails.
Below are my favorite holiday drinks—the ones that make the season feel warmer, calmer, and slightly more tolerable.
Let’s pour one.
1. Classic Holiday Eggnog (But Make It Cajun)
Eggnog is one of those drinks people either love or pretend to hate but still drink anyway. Creamy, cozy, and basically dessert in a glass—perfect for sipping while someone explains for the fifth time why they don’t use recipes.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon (or dark rum—Louisiana-approved)
- 4 oz eggnog (store-bought is FINE, we are busy people)
- Pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon
- Whipped cream (optional but encouraged)
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice (or skip ice if you’re feeling traditional).
- Pour in bourbon or rum.
- Add eggnog and stir gently.
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Louisiana tip: Add an extra splash when company “just stops by.”
They always do.
2. Spiked Hard Apple Cider (Bayou-Style Comfort)
This is the drink that smells like the holidays. Apples, cinnamon, and just enough alcohol to make listening to holiday music for the 47th time tolerable.
Ingredients:
- 6 oz hard apple cider
- 1–1½ oz bourbon or spiced rum
- Cinnamon stick
- Orange slice or apple slice (optional but festive)
Instructions:
- Warm cider on the stove (or drink it cold—Louisiana weather is unpredictable).
- Pour into a mug or glass.
- Add bourbon or rum.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick and fruit slice.
Pairs well with: standing in the kitchen while everyone crowds around the food you just finished cooking.
3. Old Fashioned (Because We Don’t Do Weak Drinks)
The Old Fashioned is timeless, strong, and doesn’t ask questions—just like we need during the holidays. In Louisiana, this isn’t a “special occasion” drink… it’s a baseline.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ tsp sugar or simple syrup
- 2–3 dashes bitters
- Orange peel
- Ice
Instructions:
- Add sugar (or syrup) and bitters to a glass.
- Pour in bourbon.
- Add a large ice cube and stir.
- Express orange peel over the glass and drop it in.
Louisiana rule: If it’s not strong enough, fix it.
No measuring cups needed.
4. Peppermint Martini (Festive, Fancy, and Sneaky)
This one is sweet, minty, and will sneak up on you faster than your kid asking for another snack five minutes after dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz white chocolate liqueur
- ½ oz peppermint schnapps
- Crushed candy canes (for rim)
Instructions:
- Rim martini glass with crushed candy canes.
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into glass.
Louisiana disclaimer: This drink will make you feel bold enough to host another gathering—which is a lie. Do not fall for it.
Final Thoughts (Cheers to Survival)
The holidays are beautiful, loud, stressful, expensive, and chaotic—all wrapped into one season. The key isn’t perfection. It’s finding small moments to slow down, pour a drink, and laugh at the madness.
So stock your bar, embrace the chaos, and remember:
You’re doing great. And if you’re not? There’s always another cocktail.
Cheers 🥂