Ep.5/ Naughty & Nice: Our Christmas Special
WElcome to a rainbow in the storm, a podcast about finding hope and meaning in the midst of tragedy.
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In this episode, Katharine and Seth depart from their typical podcast topics — and enjoy the fun and magic of the holidays. Katharine shares her top five Christmas movies and Seth creates themed cocktails for each! In the heaviness of sorting through flood insurance, buying new things, moving (again), and driving 10 hours to celebrate Christmas, Katharine and Seth decided it was more important this week to just do something super silly and ridiculous. We hope you put this podcast on in the background while you do some holiday baking or while wrapping your gifts! Enjoy!
Kat’s Top 5 Christmas Movies & Seth’s Cocktail Pairings:
5. Last Christmas (2019) - This quirky and unexpected Christmas romcom centers around Kate, a wannabe West End performer and full time Christmas store worker, who falls for a mysterious man who ends up playing a pivotal role in her life - but not in a way you expect Set in London with all of the whimsy and beauty of this city at Christmas and a phenomenal cast. Also music by George Michael. What’s not to love?
COCKTAIL SUGGESTION: Winter Pimms
Ingredients:
50ml Pimm's No. 3 (brandy-based)
200ml warm apple juice
Slices of orange and apple
Cinnamon stick (for garnish)
How to Make:
Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and warm gently over medium heat.
Strain and serve.
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Warm apple cider with candied orange, a cinnamon stick, and apple, cloves if you’re fancy.
4. Elf (2003) - This hilarious movie starring Will Ferrell and James Caan is a modern Christmas classic which tells the story of an orphan adopted by Santa who grows up to be Buddy the Elf, a human living in an Elf world. When Buddy returns to NYC to meet his biological dad, hijinks ensue and of course there’s a love story too.
COCKTAIL SUGGESTION: Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients:
1 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz peppermint schnapps
1 oz white crème de cacao
1 oz half-and-half or cream
Crushed candy canes (crushed, rim of glass)
Mini candy cane (for garnish)
How to Make:
Prepare the Glass: Rim a martini glass with crushed candy canes by wetting the rim with a little cream and then dipping it into the crushed candy canes.
Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, peppermint schnapps, white crème de cacao, and half-and-half. Fill with ice and shake well until chilled.
Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
Garnish: Add a mini candy cane to the glass for decoration.
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Peppermint Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Chocolate Milk
3. Home Alone (1990) - I’m not writing a description for Home Alone. if you have not seen it, you do not really like Christmas - ya filthy animal!
COCKTAIL SUGGESTION: Gingerbread Martini
Ingredients:
1 oz vodka
1 oz Irish cream liqueur
1 oz gingerbread syrup (store-bought or homemade)
1 oz half-and-half or cream
Graham cracker crumbs (for rimming the glass)
Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
Optional: Whipped cream for topping (if you’re gross)
How to Make:
Prepare the Glass: Rim a martini glass with gingerbread syrup and then dip it into graham cracker crumbs to coat the rim.
Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, Irish cream liqueur, gingerbread syrup, and half-and-half. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.
Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
Garnish: Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top and add whipped cream if desired.
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Decaf Gingerbread Latte or Warm Gingerbread Milk
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - This Christmas classic takes place during the magical weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas in NYC. A single-mother and staunch Santa-denier accidentally hires the real Santa Claus to work at Macy’s, subjecting her daughter to the true magic and delight of Christmas. While Kris Kringle spends his time trying to persuade the little girl that he is real, he subsequently convinces her mother, and the whole world too. Also it’s a love story.
COCKTAIL SUGGESTION: Christmaspolitan / Classy Christmas
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
¼ oz elderflower liqueur
¼ oz dry vermouth
1 oz spiced cranberry sauce
½ oz lime juice
Absinthe spritz (for garnish)
Fresh rosemary sprig (for garnish)
How to Make:
Prepare the Glass: Lightly spritz a chilled coupe glass with absinthe and set aside.
Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled.
Strain and Serve: Fine strain the mixture into the prepared coupe glass.
Garnish: Add a fresh rosemary sprig for an aromatic touch.
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Elderflower soda with a splash of cranberry juice. Add a fun garnish!
1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) - This beloved Christmas movie is loosely based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and tells the story of George Bailey, a man who has sacrificed his dreams in order to help others and whose thoughts of suicide on Christmas Eve bring about his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence shows George all the lives he touched and what the world would be like if he had not existed. Sounds dark, but honestly so good.
COCKTAIL SUGGESTION: Christmas Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients:
4 oz Champagne (dry or brut)
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Lemon twist (for garnish)
How to Make:
1. Prepare the Glass: Place a sugar cube at the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Add Bitters: Douse the sugar cube with 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
3. Pour Champagne: Slowly pour in the Champagne, allowing it to mix gently with the sugar and bitters.
4. Garnish: Add a twist of lemon peel for an aromatic touch.
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Sparkling Apple Cider with a sugar cube, Angostura bitters (if desired), and a lemon twist garnish.
If you enjoyed this episode and would like other episodes like this, let us know. And please, if you make any of these cocktails/mocktails while watching their corresponding movie, please send us a pic! Email us at hello@arainbowinthestorm.com!
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