These drinks look so festive on the holiday table, and the tangy cranberries keep the sweetness from being cloying in this cranberry margarita. It is said that the first margarita was created in 1938 by Mexican mixologist Don Carlos Orozco. We think he would have approved of this riff on his world-renowned classic. Salud!
About the Margarita
The margarita’s exact origins are a little murky. The word margarita in Spanish means “daisy,” and cocktail historian David Wondrich theorized that the margarita is an evolution of the “brandy daisy,” a 19th century cocktail. A “daisy” is a type of cocktail that includes a base spirit, liqueur, and citrus, as a margarita does. Carlos “Danny” Herrera of Rancho La Gloria once alleged that he invented it for a Ziegfeld dancer who was allergic to most spirits, but not tequila. But The San Diego Reader then denied that this was true. Don Carlos Orozco, as mentioned above, claimed he invented the drink and named it after a glamorous patron at his bar, socialite Margarita Henkel Ceseno.
There are countless other origin stories, from Texas to Tijuana. One thing is for sure: the margarita is a drink for all times of year. Cheryl Alters Jamison’s cranberry margarita is a delicious winter take on this ever-popular drink.
½ cup Cointreau, Triple Sec, or other orange-flavored liqueur
2 generous cups cracked ice cubes
Instructions
Pour sparkling sugar onto a saucer. Rub the rim of each glass with a lime wedge, rub the rim of each glass, then dunk in the sparkling sugar.
Set aside a dozen of the nicest cranberries for garnish. Puree cranberries, cranberry juice, granulated sugar, lime juice, tequila, Cointreau, and ice in a blender. Pour into the glasses.
Garnish with cranberries and a lime wedge. Serve right away.
Recipe by Cheryl Alters Jamison Photography by Dave Bryce
Crispy and gooey with a sweet glaze, Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake with Panettone is the perfect addition to a winter breakfast. After a bit of time in the oven, present this golden brown delight made with panettone for a burst of holiday cheer. Panettone is an Italian sweet bread with candied orange, citron, lemon zest, and raisins that adds extra flavor to this already delicious bake. Sit down with those closest to you this season and share a breakfast or brunch that’ll have everyone feeling jolly.
The History of Star Laliberte’s Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake with Panettone
My son and 3 of his best friends started a band when he was still in upper elementary school. They often planned weekend sleepovers where they would arrange marathon band practices. I would have complained about the noise, but they were, and still are, a very talented group of young men, so my husband and I found it quite enjoyable. Saturday mornings, before the amps were plugged in and the mics turned on, I cooked them a big hot breakfast.
When I first began making this recipe, I started with a version that used french bread. It not only became the star of the show for those Saturday morning breakfasts for the boys, it quickly became a staple every year for our family Christmas brunch. Both of my kids are pretty picky eaters, so it wasn’t until more recently, after long wanting to do so, that I decided to use panettone in the recipe. Using panettone makes this a perfect holiday menu item.
Try a sweet and golden brown french toast bake made with candied fruit and raisin filled panettone.
Ingredients
Scale
½ cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1” thick slices of panettone to fit a 13×9” baking dish
5 large eggs
1 ½ cups half-and-half
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp Grand Marnier
¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Melt butter in a small, heavy bottomed saucepan. Add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until dissolved. Pour evenly into the bottom of a 13×9” baking dish.
Slice panettone into 1” thick slices and place as many as you can fit in the baking dish without overlapping.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, Grand Marnier, and salt until well incorporated. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread, cover the pan with foil, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and remove the foil. Bring to room temperature while the oven is heating.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until the bread looks slightly browned and puffy.
Remove from the oven and let set for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Recipe by Star Laliberte Styling by Anna Franklin Photography by Dave Bryce
Having spent more than a decade with a plant-based diet, it is safe to say that I have heard it all. “Where do you get your protein?” “Do you just eat salads?” “I could never give up cheese!” are the running commentaries from friends and family who thought I was nuts – pun intended – to live on plants alone. But, more than 10 years later I can tell you that eating more plants has been good for me and good for the environment, too. This Cauliflower Burrito Salad recipe is one way you can dive in and try a plant-based meal and see how it feels.
Foods with Medicinal Properties
There are so many evidence-based studies now confirming the medicinal properties of the foods we love. Better than supplements in their whole-food context, eating fruits, veggies, greens, beans, and grains can support healthy digestion, cardiovascular health and help to prevent a plethora of diseases. Not to mention – for those of us who are into selfies – they boost your natural glow, too. Did I hear you say that I’ll age more slowly if I eat more plants? Let me master the making of this Cauliflower Burrito Salad recipe!
For example, did you know that leafy greens like kale, considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods, is low on calories and rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins that support cardiovascular help, reduce the risk of mental decline and support bone health?
Cauliflower, an often underappreciated veggie, is chock-full of goodness including fiber to support gut health, contains antioxidants to reduce the risk of cancer, and can reduce your risk for dementia and liver disease, as well as this Cauliflower Burrito Salad recipe.
Eat the Rainbow!
And don’t be afraid to spruce up that plate with colors! Instead of worrying about fat, carbs, or protein ratios, make your plate as colorful as you can. This will give you a nice variety of plants which in turn will provide a wide array of medicinal benefits. For example, add a little red with tomatoes for heart health. Beans are fiber-filled and a great source of iron and protein. Plus, they are easy on the wallet, too.
Adding Plant-based Proteins
And while we are talking protein, let’s talk quinoa. This superfood is a complete protein. It contains all nine of the essential amino acids that our body cannot produce on its own. It was so beloved that the Incas referred to it as the “mother grain” and considered it a sacred gift from the gods. While technically a seed, their enthusiasm is well understood for this special dish that can be prepared similarly to rice and packs a nutritional punch in this Cauliflower Burrito Salad recipe.
Natural Anti-Inflammatories in the Pantry
You can boost the flavor of all of your favorites with a little help from your spice rack. Did you know turmeric helps prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s? That’s because of its incredible anti-inflammatory properties! Try adding some cumin to your next dish and reap the benefits including its anticancer properties and ability to regulate blood sugar.
And my secret weapon? Nutritional yeast. These nutty, cheesy little flakes sent from the heavens are grown for several days on a sugar-rich medium like molasses. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids and trace minerals that help boost the immune system. “Nooch,” as it’s affectionately called, can also help regulate metabolism. When fortified, it contains B12, an important vitamin that supports the nervous system, brain function, and red blood cells.
Cauliflower Burrito Salad Recipe
At the end of the day, we really are what we eat. Let’s make sure we are putting helpful foods into our bodies that let us glow from the inside out.
Help yourself to a bowl of health and wellness with this plant-based protein recipe.
Ingredients
½ cup quinoa
1 head cauliflower, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp turmeric
Salt and pepper
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
2.25 oz black olives, sliced
1 cup cilantro, divided in half and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 lime, zested and juiced
3 cups fresh baby spinach or any green you prefer
1 14 oz can of black beans, drained
Tortilla chips (optional)
For the dressing:
½ of a ripe avocado
2 tbsp cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp cumin
1 lime, juiced
½ cup water (more if necessary)
¼ cup cilantro
1 clove garlic
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
For the quinoa:
Cook according to package directions.
For the cauliflower:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Chop cauliflower and toss with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, nutritional yeast, turmeric, salt and pepper.
Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until fork-tender. Check occasionally and toss to make sure it doesn’t burn.
While the cauliflower is roasting, assemble the rest of the salad.
For the tomato salad:
Toss tomatoes, black olives, ½ of the cilantro, and red onion with juice from one lime and a dash of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Put in the refrigerator.
For the dressing:
Toss everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Set in the refrigerator until ready to use.
To assemble:
Place spinach in a bowl, top with desired amount of quinoa, black beans, cauliflower, and tomato salad.
Drizzle with dressing, top with tortilla chips, if desired, and serve.
Story by Natalie Bencivenga
Photography by Laura Petrilla
Styling by Keith Recker
Christmas Cookies make the holidays go round! These bright little feative treats adorn tables all throughout December (and maybe even into January if you’re lucky enough to not eat them all beforehand). When it comes to turning your kitchen into a winter wonderland full of sprinkles, flour, and other baking supplies, use our Ultimate Guide to Christmas Cookie Recipes to make this year a breeze. Here you’ll find endless recipes for all your classic favorites and even some new cookie faces too. From sugar cookies to chocolate chip, peanut butter, buckeyes, gingerbread, or even gluten-free types, we’ve got a recipe for each.
The best part is you can turn this activity into a family affair. Most of our recipes are small-hand friendly meaning even the littlest of helpers can have a job. So get your grocery list in hand, prep the kitchen, and get ready to make holiday memories that’ll last a lifetime.
Simply click on the arrows below to explore our gallery of Christmas cookie recipes. Once you find one you like, click on the center of the photo to be taken to the recipe. Then, gather the family around and lose yourself in the joy of baking.
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Cookie Recipes
Story by Kylie Thomas Featured Styling by Anna Franklin Featured Photography by Dave Bryce
Your liver will thank you for a Dry January vacation from processing alcohol and sipping on something else instead. But what about your brain and your taste buds? Keeping them entertained will help you stay on track until February and perhaps beyond. Check out our four spirited but spirit-free suggestions and prepare your pantry for a successful stretch of healthy sipping, and perhaps for some healthier happy hour habits.
In modern times, it’s more about self-discipline and clearing your head after the bustling decadence of the holidays. When Alcohol Change UK started Dry January, they clarified that “The whole point of a month off is that you’ll have a test at some point, an event or meal out and the trick is, can you turn that drink down?” If you do choose to take the challenge, know that you’re not turning down indulgence. Our editorial team tackled four ways to keep the fun going even as you focus on your health.
What to Drink Instead of Alcohol for a Deliciously Dry January
For those who will miss the epicurean pleasures of wine during Dry January, mineral water can intrigue the palate with complex tasting notes and regional terroir. From the sunny effervescence of Italian springs, the earthiness of the Arkansas mountains, or the refreshing relaxation of the Monterrey, Mexico Cerro del Topo Chico springs, there’s a mineral water out there for everyone. Find the acidity, carbonation level, and minerality level you like.
A hot cup of herbal tea is a winter staple that can replace that hot toddy you might be craving. A warm cuppa can be hearty, relaxing, and good for you, too! Herbs can help fight off inflammation, lower your risk of cancer, and boost your cardiovascular health. Local Pittsburgh sources like Cutting Root Apothecary (source of the beautiful teas pictured, via Pittsburgh’s Bantha Tea Bar), Triple Moon Alchemy, and others, can help you pick the right blends for your winter ailments. Shown above are three of Cutting Root Apothecary’s healthful teas: Goddess (for menstrual health and hormone balance), Rites of Spring (an energy and mood booster), Winter Spice (an earthy warm-up), and classic Chamomile.
Herbs like gotu kola, sage, and peppermint can give you a little energy boost. Chamomile, hops, lavender, and valerian can get you to sleep on stressful nights. Go for loose-leaf tea over a generic store-bought teabag: the flavor of loose-leaf chamomile is fragrant, herbaceous, and strong. It’s a game-changer. Your body will thank you for it.
Yeah, sure: water and herbal teas are great. But at some point during a month of pure virtue, you are sure to crave a little vice. Would you be tempted by an easy-peasy four pack of scrumptious Fentimans Rose Lemonade? Go ahead: it’s not a lifetime commitment or a referendum on your life choices. Feel free to enjoy your first Boylan’s Black Cherry Soda, or the fresh flavor of Red Ribbon’s Mint Ginger Ale, or a spicy draught of Jackworth Ginger Beer’s NA option.
Once you’ve poured yourself a glass, feel free to let your imagination go wild. Add a wedge of lime. And a few dashes of fruit bitters. Maybe a scant teaspoon of delicious fig or blood orange balsamic vinegar. You can also try our Dirty Soda options if you want to spruce up the soda a little. See how we just turned a bottle of frivolous soda pop into a delectable mocktail?
A must when building your Dry January checklist, NA spirits can be your ticket to complex mocktails with flavors similar to your favorite cocktails. Try Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative for a virtuous Mule or Amethyst Botanical Spirit for a Virgin Mary. Spiritless Kentucky 74 makes a great a new-fangled Old Fashioned. Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Tequila is the starting point for a no-garita. Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative combines well with your favorite tonic water. The best part about these spirits is that they are all hand-picked by the country’s oldest non-alcoholic specialty retailer and local Pittsburgh business, The Open Road. Head over there to stock your Dry January bar cart. Or, perhaps you’ll want to stake out a new path to a healthier lifestyle even after the calendar turns to February.
Story by Emma Riva, Kylie Thomas, and Keith Recker
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce
Missing Halloween this Christmas season? A 2024 remake of the classic 1922 silent horror film Nosferatu will give you the chills from something other than the winter snow. Shake up this Nosferatu cocktail to celebrate the remake’s release on Christmas Day. The grenadine-soaked rose garnish is a nod to star Lily-Rose Depp as supernaturally inclined heroine Ellen Hutter, and the single drop of “blood” from the ruby-red grenadine mimics the vampiric tendencies of Count Orlok as played by Bill Skarsgård.
What is Nosferatu About?
Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror originally came out in 1922 as a silent film. It was a loose adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, though filmmaker F.W. Murnau conveniently forgot to ask Stoker’s estate, resulting in the family trying to destroy it. However, several copies survived, and what began as a low-budget German art film became one of the last century’s most iconic horror films. The name “Nosferatu” comes from an ancient Romanian word meaning “the offensive one” or “the insufferable one,” but the actual vampire in Nosferatu is Count Orlok, who masquerades as a human being to protagonist Thomas Hutter, visiting him in Translyvania to discuss a real estate transaction. The basic plot is the same as Dracula, a real estate saleasman becomes entangled in the clutches of an eccentric, Eastern European count…with bloody consequences. We can’t recommend drinking actual blood, but our Nosferatu cocktail is a close second.
Grenadine garnish turns this cocktail into a vampire’s delight.
Ingredients
Scale
2 oz Vodka
1 oz Cointreau
2 oz White Grape Juice
½ oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Instructions
Prepare your garnish first by soaking rose petals in grenadine.
Allow those to soak until the petals abord some of the color.
For the Cocktail
Add ice to a cocktail shaker then add vodka, Cointreau, white grape, and lemon. Shake until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
Double strain pour into a chilled Coupe glass.
Garnish with a petal by dripping the grenadine into the drink and dropping in the petal. The grenadine will fall to the bottom of the glass. This mimics a drop of blood.
A texted or e-mailed thank you message is fine for some things; but when it really counts, it’s still a great gesture to send an actual thank you card. Some might call it old fashioned, but politeness doesn’t really follow trends. (Or, if it does, it’s best to ignore them!)
A note with a handwritten message is always appreciated because it is (a) more personal and (b) it took a certain amount of extra effort. The paper feels nice in the hand, the ink of your signature (if any of us can still remember how to write!) captures the exact moment when you wrote it, and it can be personalized to fit your personality.
Whether you’re looking for something elegant but out of the box or cards that are completely your design, the following have you covered.
The British stationery company makes all sorts of correspondence that’s simple but very elegant. These cards have an engraved message, the envelopes are tissue lined in a coordinating color, and the insides are blank.
If you really want your message to make an impact, design one that says who you are. You can modify a ready-made design or upload your own masterpiece. The cards are printed on both sides and come in 7 different sizes.
If your taste runs classical and a bit decorative, these cards with a Florentine pattern are for you. Even the letterpress printing is traditional—not to mention time consuming.
Thick, textured paper and a whimsical garden and creatures design give these cards a personal touch even though they’re out of the box. You can even get them printed on double-thick paper (650 gsm for paper geeks).
Lively botanicals always delight, and the bright colors of these flowers (each of which has a medicinal or symbolic meaning) add to the impact. The IRL flowers are all grown in the gardens of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Cloisters.
Story by Stephen Treffinger
Photography by Crystal Y
The film’s genesis comes from Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, which follows the controversy around musician Bob Dylan’s transition away from the folksy, acoustic music he rose to fame with. This career pivot made his peers in the music industry label him as having gone commercial. But like the song, This citrus forward cocktail packs a bold punch, just like making a new creative decision. The movie drops Christmas Day, so you can shake up this cocktail for a holiday celebration along with your Christmas cocktails, too.
½ oz – 1 oz Citrus Simple Syrup *recipe below(amount depending on taste)
Half of an Orange, segmented and removed skin and pith (navel or cara cara)
Fresh Basil (6-8 leaves)
Top with Soda Water or Ginger Ale (about 3 oz)
For the citrus simple syrup:
1 large lemon
1 large Cara Cara orange
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup filtered water
Instructions
Prepare your orange segments and place into the bottom of an empty cocktail shaker, add 6-8 fresh basil leaves that have been torn, add in citrus simple, and gently muddle with a flat head, wooden muddler.
Add ice and bourbon. Shake until frost forms on the outside of the shaker.
Strain pour over ice into a footed rocks glass.
Garnish with an orange slice and basil leaves.
For the citrus simple syrup:
Add water and sugar to small saucepot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer.
Zest the lemon and the orange and add zest into pot.
Squeeze juice of lemon and orange, add into pot and stir until mixed. Simmer on low for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and add into an airtight jar. Add zested and squeezed citrus.
Let the mixture come to room temperature and store it in the refrigerator. Keeps for about a month.
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail with ginger beer and vodka. But if you’re the one driving home from Christmas celebrations, maybe you want to come up with some ways to celebrate without the buzz from booze. Try this non-alcoholic Moscow Mule recipe as a party drink for an inclusive bar cart this holiday season.
Using a Vodka Alternative for a Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
Now, I know what you’re thinking. There is no reason to drink vodka other than the alcohol. It lacks some of the flavor complexity of other liquors. But while it does have a rich and interesting history in Eastern Europe, much of that history is centered around one goal: efficient delivery of alcohol into your bloodstream. It’s better to think of non-alcoholic spirit alternatives not as things you drink on their own, like a shot. Instead, consider non-alcoholic vodka as an alternative that will allow you to enjoy the flavor of a Moscow Mule without the fogginess in your brain afterward. We’ve used CleanCo’s Clean V vodka alternative as a vehicle for the delicious ginger beer, sparkling apple cider, and cranberry flavors to develop more body.
Ready for more alcohol-free options? We have a list of our Best Mocktails of 2024 just for you.
There are all kinds of reasons why someone might not be drinking. Mocktails that mimic cocktails are a little divisive in among those sober from alcohol. Some believe they can cause people to backslide. But there are many scenarios when you might want to swap out alcohol for a zero-proof spirit that also have nothing to do with its health value, physical or mental. Let’s say you have friends over, and one of them is Muslim and thus doesn’t drink, but you don’t want them to feel left out. It can make someone not drinking feel special that you considered their needs and tastes. In any case, this Non-Alcoholic Old-Fashioned takes a drink bar-goers know and love and turns it into a delicious non-alcoholic drink.
About The Bourbon Alternative for Our Non-Alcoholic Old-Fashioned
We’ve used Free Spirit’s “The Spirit of Bourbon” zero-proof bourbon. Ryan Castelaz of Agency, who helped bottle the spirit, comments: “It feels, tastes, and smells as close to bourbon as I have yet experienced. I happily drank it straight, and honestly could have poured myself more.”
