My Favorite Holiday Tradition with My Husband - Just the Two of Us
The Great Christmas Cocktail Challenge of 2020 - 12.12.20
My husband and I are getting serious about starting and cultivating traditions for our family. While we think it’s absolutely necessary to include our kids in the festivities – this specific tradition is just for us, at least for the next 17ish years.
Pandemic or not, this tradition revolves around an at-home date night. Throw together an epic charcuterie board; turn up your favorite tunes; and gather your go-to mixers, liquors, & garnishes. It’s game time. The Great Christmas Cocktail Challenge of {insert year here} is going down.
Cinnamon Apple Cider Mimosa (left), Champagne Collins (center), Cara Car Champagne Mule (right)
The rules:
Each person creates at least one cocktail using any desired ingredients (winter/holiday inspired ingredients are highly encouraged)
Cocktails are sipped and judged by both parties
Each person picks the cocktail they enjoy most
Choose a winner however you see fit
2020 contenders:
Cinnamon Apple Cider Mimosa
Ingredients:
1 part Fireball
2 parts Apple Cider
4 parts Champagne
Glass rim:
Dip glass rim in apple cider and then rim with a cinnamon sugar blend.
Garnish:
Sliced apple and a cinnamon stick.
Serve:
Chilled in a flute or a coupe.
Champagne Collins
Ingredients:
1 part lemon juice
2 parts dry gin
Splash of simple syrup
Top with champagne
Garnish:
Lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry
Serve:
Over ice in a highball glass.
Cara Cara Champagne Mule
Ingredients:
1 part vodka
2 parts ginger beer
Juice of a small Cara Cara orange
Juice of ½ a lime
Top with champagne
Garnish:
Lime wedge
A couple mint leaves
Serve:
Chilled, in a flute or coupe.
1st place was tied between the Cinnamon Apple Cider Mimosa and the Champagne Collins (with two people, this happens often, but we’re ok both walking away as winners). My favorite was the former, while Jonathan’s was the latter.
Cinnamon Apple Cider Mimosa
Champagne Mule
3rd place was awarded to the Cara Cara Champagne Mule. This one felt as though it still needed some tweaking.
While none of the cocktails were “perfect”, it was a fun night and a tradition that we will continue to look forward to. Comment below with your favorite tradition that focuses on just you and your partner.