Drink Recipes

This was supposed to be sangria. I had it all planned out—a big glass pitcher, some good red wine I’d been saving, fresh oranges, maybe … Read more

I was elbow-deep in a sink full of dirty wine glasses, scrubbing at a stubborn ring of dried cranberry juice, when the plumber spoke up. … Read more

My neighbor, Mrs. Gable, wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by to return her measuring cup—the one I’d borrowed three weeks prior and honestly … Read more

My brother asked why I couldn’t just mix everything in the slow cooker instead of fussing with a separate saucepan. I started to explain why … Read more

It was 10:47 PM on a drizzly Tuesday in early November, and I was wrapped in a blanket on the couch, staring at a bag … Read more

The woman at the winter market stall watched me hover near her spices, probably looking as lost as I felt. I’d just moved to the … Read more

My husband had claimed to hate peppermint hot chocolate for our entire marriage. Eight years. Every holiday season, I’d make myself a mug, and he’d … Read more

The office holiday potluck was in 48 hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing those elaborate, multi-day preparations—the kind with handmade puff … Read more

I was standing in the frozen foods aisle last December, clutching a bag of cranberries like they held the secret to world peace, when the … Read more

The neighborhood cookie exchange was in three hours and I had completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing those elaborate things—you know, the ones that … Read more

I had refused to make Halloween punch for years. Seven years, actually. Every October, my kids would bring home those glossy party flyers with the … Read more

The holiday cookie exchange was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. I mean, completely. I was standing in my kitchen at 7 AM, still … Read more

I’d claimed to hate eggnog for fifteen years. Fifteen years of wrinkling my nose at holiday parties, of muttering “I’m more of a mulled wine … Read more

My neighbor Sarah wasn’t trying to impress anyone that night. I’d stopped by to borrow a cup of sugar—cliché, I know, but my baking stash … Read more

I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store last October, just minding my own business, when the kid in front of me … Read more

Honestly, I spent years thinking simmer pots were a bit… much. You know the ones I mean—the overly precious ones with fancy names and ingredients … Read more

This was supposed to be a slow-simmered mulled wine for a holiday open house. I had the star anise laid out, the good bottle of … Read more

For years, my friend Jenna claimed she hated mulled wine. The holidays would roll around, and she’d wrinkle her nose at the steaming pot on … Read more

There used to be a tiny ski lodge called The Rustic Mug up in the White Mountains that made the best peppermint hot chocolate I … Read more

My nephew asked why I couldn’t just throw the dry ice directly into the punch bowl. I started to explain why that wouldn’t work—then stopped. … Read more