Official Noble Christmas 2017 Drink, and Accidental Vignettes

The Christmas decor around our house has been somewhat lacking this year. Since we’re headed to Andria’s house, I thought I’d just leave all the Christmas cheer inspo to her…and as can be seen here, here, here, and here, she’s doing a bang-up job! Thanks for creating Christmas magic for all of us, Andria!

Turns out, I actually do have a couple of accidental Christmas vignettes that have magically appeared. The one below wasn’t so accidental, since we needed the stockings for Santa and the Advent calendar to count down until Christmas (AKA the day we fly to Columbus…that’s all the boys talk about this year.)

THEN, I was cooking dinner the other day and realized a second vignette had magically appeared! I’d strewn giant pine cones around the house a couple weeks ago. I forgot to put away a jelly jar holding some candy canes. Voila! It has height, color, and texture variation. It’s a Christmas miracle.

Although I haven’t put much thought into decor this year, I have thought a lot about alcohol.

You see, Andria and Emily put me in charge of the Noble Christmas 2017 Cocktail. (Because I don’t have any other hosting responsibilities! Merry Christmas to me!!) I’ve been on the hunt for a few months and I think I finally landed on a winner.

First, some history. Twelve years ago, I showed up to my first Noble Thanksgiving with a cocktail to share. It was a buttery nipple. Of course, I couldn’t show up at the first holiday celebration at my in-laws’ house with a drink that makes everyone think of boobs, so I decided to refer to it as The Perfect Fall Shot (because, it really is…) It was a hit! So much of a hit, in fact, that my mother-in-law’s first Christmas gift to me was a bottle of liqueur. She must have thought I have a deeper relationship with alcohol than I actually do…

Over the years, I’ve added a few more cocktails to the Noble Family Holiday repertoire. Here is a sampling:

Porch Swing – I’ve dubbed this the perfect summer cocktail. I’ve already posted a few versions of this drink here.

Beergaritas – can of frozen limeade, 3/4 empty limeade can full of tequila, 4 Mexican beers. Pour them all in a pitcher and stir. Salt rimmed pint glass optional. You’re welcome. Perfect taco Tuesday drink. (Courtney gave me this recipe, of course!)

Jingle Juice – I made this a few years ago in Cincinnati. It was a hit. Maybe too much of a hit, because we all got a little loopy after just one glass. I call this one the perfect make your mother-in-law tipsy drink. Warning – it is kind of labor intensive if you squeeze all the fresh juice. Also, very stiff Totally worth it, though. Here Andria, my mother-in-law, and I are taking our first sips. Somehow, the Christmas dinner still went off without a hitch…(Also, I still miss that kitchen…)

Cranberry Margaritas – Not a Noble drink, but one my sister and I have shared throughout the years and perfect for Christmas. (Don’t use organic, no sugar added cranberry juice…as we learned this Thanksgiving when we put my brother-in-law in charge of the grocery shopping…)

None of these seemed right for this year. I wanted something fruity and festive, like the Jingle Juice of 2014, but with less of a punch, and less prep time. The heavens parted and angels started singing at a Christmas party last weekend. Our host filled a drink dispenser with champagne punch. So. Good. Lightly fruity. Lightly effervescent. Lightly alcoholic. I found similar recipe online.

So, Epicurious’ Pink Champagne Punch has officially been named the Noble 2017 Christmas Cocktail. Seth is insisting we have Triple Sec or Pom (pomegranate liqueur) on hand to beef it up a bit, but I think it will be perfect as is. We can sip on it for hours and without any regrets the next day.

I’ll let you know how it goes over.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Disclaimer – I realize alcohol isn’t for everyone for a variety of reasons, and combining some families with alcohol is not a good idea. Gratefully, both sides of my family are able to enjoy alcohol responsibly. I’m also of the opinion that you absolutely don’t need alcohol to have a fun Christmas. If you can enjoy it responsibly, then go for it. If not, there are lots of recipes out there for non-alcoholic drinks that are just as tasty.