In what may seem like the blink of an eye, we’ve turned the page on another year and reached the holiday season. Everywhere you look, decorations are going up, gifts are being wrapped, and friends and families are gathering together to ring in the new year. However, while this time of year is meant to be a time for reconnecting and relaxation, it might often feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to enjoy the season.
When you are looking for a way to take a deep breath, slow down and enjoy the holidays, there are few better options than to silence your phone, throw on some pajamas, and curl up on the sofa with a good book and your beverage of choice. So, we’ve asked the Wick Team for their recommendations of books and beverages to relax and enjoy in the middle of the hustle and bustle. From heartwarming children’s classics to chilling mysteries, this list has everything you need to sleigh back and read during this holiday season.
5 Ingredient Fix
Author: Claire Robinson
Selected By: Jason – Director of Finance
Drink Pairing: Espresso Martini
If you are looking for a quick but impressive dish to bring to your next holiday party, every recipe in this stylish cookbook takes less than five ingredients. Sip on an espresso martini to keep your spirits and your energy up as you select your recipe.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce dark creme de cacao
- 1/2 ounce Kahlua
- 2 ounces brewed espresso
- Garnish: Softly whipped heavy cream
Instructions: Put the liquors and espresso in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled; strain into two chilled martini glasses and float a layer of whipped cream on top.
Daisy Jones and the Six
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Selected By: Micayla – Digital Marketing Account Manager
Drink Pairing: Irish Slammer
Recently adapted into a hit TV show, this story of a rock ‘n’ roll romance is just as intense as this classic cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 ounce Irish whiskey
- 1/2 ounce Baileys Irish cream
- Pint of Guinness Stout
Instructions: Drop a shot of Irish cream and whiskey, glass and all, into a pint of Guinness.
The Guest List
Author: Lucy Foley
Selected By: Amy – Principal & Chief Strategist
Drink Pairing: Veuve Clicquot Champagne
This page-turning murder mystery set at a wedding on a remote island in Ireland is perfect for getting into the party spirit with a glass of champagne.
Instructions: Pour Veuve Clicquot into a flute and enjoy.
Hogfather
Author: Terry Pratchett
Selected By: Blake – Digital Marketing Lead
Drink Pairing: Mulled Wine
As the 20th book in Pratchett’s beloved Discworld series, this retelling of Death’s attempts to fill in for Discworld’s Santa-esque figure goes well with the warm, spicy European delight.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle red wine
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 ounces brandy
- 1 sliced orange
- 1 lemon peel
- 2 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions: Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and let heat for 1 hour. Makes five servings.
Malibu Rising
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Selected By: Mary Kay – Senior Accountant
Drink Pairing: Piña Colada
For a tropical twist on the holiday season, this refreshing pairing of a classic beach drink and a heartfelt story centered around the importance of family is a fitting inclusion in the festivities.
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 3 ounces coconut cream
- 1 1/2 oz light rum
- 1-2 cups of crushed ice
- Garnish: Pineapple slice and cherry
Instructions: Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Pour into a tiki glass and garnish with a pineapple slice and a cherry.
Mexican Gothic
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Selected By: Mandy – Senior Project Manager/Producer
Drink Pairing: Tequila Gimlet
Give your holiday reading a spooky flavor with this gothic horror novel full of thrills and mystery, paired with a tequila twist on the gimlet that is perfect for any 1950s socialite.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces tequila (Silver or Blanco)
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- Optional garnish: Lime slices
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and pour the mixture into a coupe glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Midnight Library
Author: Matt Haig
Selected By: Zairah – Account Manager
Drink Pairing: Stout Beer
Set in a drizzly English town with a protagonist who dreams of opening a pub, this inventive fantasy novel is equal parts quaint and wonderous, making it perfect for the holiday season.
Instructions: Pour your favorite stout beer into an imperial pint glass – the colder, the better.
The Polar Express
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Selected By: Anayeli – Assistant Account Manager
Drink Pairing: Hot cocoa
Bring back your inner child with a dash of holiday magic in this classic children’s book, paired with plot-critical hot cocoa and, at Anayeli’s recommendation, a Royal Dansk Danish butter cookie.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups milk, or more to taste
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ cups bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large pot over low heat; cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Makes 10 servings.
A Salty Piece of Land
Author: Jimmy Buffett
Selected By: Kelsey – Account Supervisor
Drink Pairing: Mistletoe Margarita
Bring a bit of summertime to the holiday season with this breezy tale, along with a festive take on the iconic cocktail that’d be a perfect gift for the late mayor of Margaritaville himself.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Grand Marnier
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces white cranberry juice
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Coarse salt for the rim
- Garnish: Rosemary, lime and fresh cranberries
Instructions: Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Pour over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with extra limes and fresh cranberries! Throw in a sprig of rosemary, if you wish.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Selected By: Wendy – Account Supervisor
Drink Pairing: Dirty Martini
Another winning tale from Taylor Jenkins Reid highlights the importance of staying true to yourself and doing what it takes to find happiness, which is a vital lesson to remember during the holidays. Pair this read with the refined, elegant martini packed with a little punch.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/2 ounce green olive juice
- Olive garnish
Instructions: Shake ingredients with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a few olives.
The Storyteller: The Tales of Life and Music
Author: Dave Grohl
Selected By: Shoshanna – Director of Agency Operations
Drink Pairing: Brown Derby
Filled with heartfelt stories and crazy encounters, this pairing is a nod to music legend Dave Grohl’s pre-show warmup of Coors Lite and shots of whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3/4 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce honey syrup
- Garnish: Grapefruit twist
Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and pour the mixture into a coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
UFOs for the 21st Century Mind
Author: Richard Dolan
Selected By: Scott – Creative Director
Drink Pairing: Acidic Alien Blood Punch
Take your holidays out of this world with this in-depth look at the history of UFOs and alien abductions, complete with a bright green sherbet cocktail that will light up your evening.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups lime sherbet
- 1/4 cup Cointreau
- 6 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 cup prosecco
Instructions: Combine the pineapple juice, lime sherbet, orange liquor and bitters in a bowl or pitcher and stir to mix. Sherbet should stay a little lumpy. Top with ginger ale and prosecco, and give a quick final stir. Ladle into individual cups to serve. Makes six servings.
The Wind Knows My Name
Author: Isabel Allende
Selected By: Barbara – SVP Strategic Growth
Drink Pairing: Earl Grey Tea or Cabernet Sauvignon
This twisting tale of two children navigating through decades of political strife is a thoughtful, insightful work that pairs with the timeless charm of good tea and good wine.
Instructions: Brew your favorite cup of tea or pour an elegant glass of Cab.
Happy holidays from the Wick team! We hope these sips and stories provide a bit of rest and relaxation during the holidays. As the new year rolls around, reach out to Barbara Wray at barbara@wickmarketing.com or (512) 564-4289 for more support!
