Buzz
Welcome to 'Cookbook of the Week.' This series celebrates cookbooks that stand out for their uniqueness, ease of use, or personal significance. While quickly searching for a recipe online can be convenient, there's something magical about flipping through a truly exceptional cookbook.
I have a deep love for the winter holiday season. It fuels all my minor indulgences—shopping, snacking, glitter—and allows them to shine for a few weeks. One of my other favorite holiday traditions is hosting gatherings with festive cocktails. I’m talking about drinks that are a treat in themselves—celebratory, and ones that bring people together. This is why, as we reach the holiday season, 'Gather Around Cocktails' is the Cookbook of the Week.
About the cookbook
Although I picked this book with the holiday season in mind, it's not limited to winter holidays. It also features plenty of 'drinks to celebrate both common and quirky occasions.' Whether you’re hosting a Groundhog Day party, a Purim , celebrating May the Fourth, or even preparing mocktails for Dry January, there’s something for everyone.
Aaron Goldfarb, the author, describes himself as 'a Brooklyn husband and dad who loves hosting great parties.' I can definitely relate to that (I’m a Brooklyn mom to two cats). The book doesn’t waste any time either—Goldfarb begins with a brief introduction, outlining what to expect, and then dives straight into a section on syrups and sweeteners that will come in handy throughout the book.
What really captivated me about this book is Goldfarb’s playful and creative approach to cocktails. One example that stood out is his Hanukkah Menorah Lighting section, which includes a Jelly Doughnut Beertail—a delightful concoction. He follows that up with The Rum Fire Shots Menorah—a series of flaming shots arranged like a menorah. It’s a spectacular sight.
An excellent cocktail book for those who celebrate every occasion.
You know the type: That family member who's always hosting a party, or the relative who celebrated National Grilled Cheese Day last month and National Dalmatians with Bowties Day last week. Think anyone from New Orleans. There are people who find joy in every celebration, no matter how big or small, and this book seems to have been made for them. Of course, if they enjoy a drink or two, they’ll get even more out of it.
What you can expect from the recipes
You won't find dull recipes in 'Gather Around Cocktails.' Every recipe has a little twist that will make you say, 'I didn’t expect that!' Be prepared to put in a bit of work, especially when making occasional syrups, and having an adventurous palate will definitely help. Each recipe includes the serving size in the top-right corner, the type of party it’s suited for (such as A New Year’s Eve Bash or a New Year’s Day Gathering) in the top-left, plus a headnote with handy tips and a simple-to-follow recipe. This layout makes it easy to navigate and find the perfect drink for any occasion—and whether or not you'll need to adjust the recipe for a larger crowd.
'Gather Around Cocktails' also offers a range of batch sizes, from single servings to larger quantities—like Ponche Navideño, which serves 16 to 24 cocktails. I appreciate this flexibility, as your group might be small or as large as a party for 20. With this book, you won’t have to do any complicated math or figure out dilution for a big event; just pick from the batch recipes. And if you only need a single serving, no problem at all.
Take eggnog, for instance. (Just a hint!)
The drink I decided to make this week
I fully embrace the Christmas season, and interestingly, this book doesn’t kick off with January holidays. Instead, it begins with winter celebrations. It didn’t take me long to find the most festive drink: eggnog. Goldfarb starts with his Homemade Eggnog recipe, which looks delightfully fluffy and rich. Unfortunately, it’s for 10 to 15 people, and I’m just one. But it turns out Aaron Goldfarb has anticipated this situation, as the following pages are filled with single-serving eggnog recipes and fun facts about eggnog from various countries.
When I stumbled upon the Spiced Mexican Chocolate Nog, I knew I’d found my match. 'Makes one cocktail.' Perfect. I looked over the six ingredients and got started. I’m not vegan, and I have no issue with raw eggs, but I had some leftover coconut milk in the fridge that I wanted to use up. Also, the inclusion of Masala Chai blend as an ingredient was simply irresistible.
My only hesitation was that the main alcohol in this recipe is mezcal, which isn’t usually my drink of choice. However, I trust coconut milk to smooth out intense flavors, so I went for it. And I’m so glad I did. This holiday nog is one I would definitely make again, whether for myself or to serve a crowd. The smoky essence of the mezcal complements the chai spices and chocolate bitters perfectly, while the coconut milk softens it all with its richness and adds a wonderful flavor of its own.
This cocktail is perfect for a Vegan Christmas Bash, and I couldn’t agree more. The coconut milk is wonderfully thick and creamy, offering the same richness you’d normally get from egg and heavy cream. I didn’t miss those ingredients one bit. And if you’re a fan of coconut, you’ll absolutely love it, whether you’re vegan or not.
How to get it
Now is the perfect time to grab a copy of 'Gather Around Cocktails.' Try making a few cocktails this week and see which one would be the best fit for your New Year’s Eve party. For even more party ideas, check out my review of 'Batch Cocktails' for tips on prepping for larger gatherings.
