Now we get to do it again in the race toward Christmas and the new year, over a series of cocktail parties and potlucks and dinners. It’s both a coping mechanism and an inclusivity strategy — and if you build a good drink base, it’s delicious. Add pear or ginger liqueur and Angostura bitters (Stage 2), then a brandy or rum (Stage 3). Pumpkin or fig syrup with an aromatic black tea (Stage 1), with a vanilla-forward sweet vermouth, such as Carpano Antica, or a nutty sherry (Stage 2), and a final boost from bourbon or rum (Stage 3). (Save the shouting for the holiday dinner table.)

Source: Washington Post December 20, 2025 01:03 UTC