Merry Mimosa To All, And To All, A Good Flight

By CHRISTINE JOHNSONPhoto by HATTIE FOOTE

Time to break out the ugly sweaters, giant blow-up Santas (and GRINCHES), and —of course— the credit cards. It’s CHRISTMAS TIME!

This is also the time of year when I personally dream of being on a tropical island with a warm ocean breeze, sun on my face, holding a wonderful cocktail. Alas, those dreams are thwarted every season by my daughter, who LOVES Christmas. She is 22 years old; shouldn’t she have gotten over this obsession by now? We have to be the first ones to get the red Starbucks cups, buy every Christmas pillow at Target, and figure out the first day that live Christmas trees are available for pick-up. By now, you may have figured out that Christmas is not exactly my thing. But I carry a “smile” each year and play along, secretly watching with delight as she makes our house sparkle with the joys of the holiday. She is following a family tradition, after all, as most of us do this time of year. We open boxes of ornaments, bring out our childhood memories, and hang them on the tree, remembering where each one came from.

The holidays can also be a tough time of year for some. Our family shares the loss of someone dear to us who loved Christmas. Even though there is sadness, the happiness takes over as I watch my daughter carry on the passion of Christmas she learned from her father and become THE person who keeps each tradition alive. That’s what the holidays are truly about. Sharing love and happy memories, present and past. Christmas is silent. You don’t hear it. You feel it. You believe in it.

Now that the tree is up and the presents are wrapped, it’s time to celebrate with a festive cocktail. What kind of SANTA would I be if I didn’t place a drink in your hand as you sit in front of the fire waiting for the merriment to begin?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL, and CHEERS!

INGREDIENTS (MAKES A PITCHER)

6.5 ounces Grey Goose vodka (or vodka of your choice)

17 ounces Cranberry juice

8.5 ounces Sparkling Prosecco

One ¾ ounces fresh lime juice

Rosemary sprigs

Fresh cranberries

Flute glasses

MIXOLOGY

Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice to a pitcher, fill it with ice, and stir. Pour into flute glasses and top off each glass with Prosecco. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and fresh cranberries, and enjoy! Serves six.