Pairing Baked and Boozy Goods for Your Happiest Holiday

Spending time with family over the holidays is always complicated, as most love is. As many of us can surely relate, we don’t always know the best course of action when those awkward and inevitable situations arise. But what does help in these social circumstances is what’s often already provided: decadent desserts and savory spirits. On a quest to make my familial experiences remain rich, or to help have a meaningful solo holiday, I follow the ideals of comfort that wind through good food, warm drinks, and the quiet joy of treating myself kindly.

Chocolate Chip Cookies + Irish Cream

Tradition can be a beautiful thing. Consider this an adult throwback, your modern twist on milk cookies. This works best with slightly undercooked cookies or ones that give a little more chew. Take a swig, a bite, and another swing – this will spark the holiday cheer of yore instantly. However, if that isn’t the texture you’re looking for, I found that dunking ginger snaps into Irish cream gives the same giddy experience. Just be careful that no one was saving the liquor for the hair of the dog.

Gin + Peppermint Stick

 This was a fun discovery for me with a dear friend on a cold night in Queens. Think of this as a dip’n’sip situation. All you need is a nicely chilled gin, plenty of ice, and a candy cane of your choice. For the best experience, swirl the candy cane in the glass, then enjoy nibbling on it between sips. As you sip, the candy cane will slowly melt into the liquor, adding a hint of sweetness.  If you’re hanging on your own this holiday with a good movie and cozy knit blanket, this will be your go-to delightfully dangerous dessert.

Pecan Pie + Whiskey

This might be obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Store-bought or homemade, the pecan pie is a classic staple at moments like this, just like Grandpa’s whiskey cabinet. Why not raid both? Take your time with the combo to really relish in its timelessness; perhaps pouring a small shot over a slice is a new trick here, especially if you have a scoop of vanilla ice cream too. Which will also give you time to get the skinny what how memaw and pepaw *actually* met.

Pumpkin Pie + Red Wine

Every family has a wine-loving auntie who will make sure there is plenty to last the entirety of the evening. If pumpkin pie is on the menu, sneak some of her boxed Bordeaux and alternate sips with bites. This will create a layered flavor effect that will make you quickly “forget” if it is your turn to help in the kitchen cleanup.

Brownie + Mezcal

Scratch the rich itch. Brownies are my favorite dessert, especially if they are topped with little extras like chocolate chips, caramel bits, marshmallows, or walnuts. Mezcal, on the other hand, is like the mysterious stranger you meet at the grocery. Cue the abundance of smoke, the questions, and the awkward curiosity about whether you actually like it. Because each element is so savory, instead of canceling or overwhelming each other, the mezcal actually complements the flavors of the brownie. Just go slow on this one (think small sips of mezcal here), or you’ll end up with a tummy ache. Trust me, we learned this one the hard way at a Friendsgiving…

Sugar Cookie + Beer

The best beer for this combo is the kind that was confiscated from the cousins. Generally, the cheaper the better here, but the specialty seasonal flavors work well, too. Personally, I believe that if you have the opportunity to dunk the cookie directly into the beer before each bite, that’s the way to go. But I guess a chug and chomp could work too.

The key here is to relish in the common delectable. The funny thing about food is how unifying it can be — not just with family and friends, but also for your own satisfaction and fulfillment. So, enjoy!