My Family Will Be Celebrating The Holidays With "12 Days of Cocktails"

Every Christmas season, my mom says, “We need to do something fun and different this year.” Sometimes we’ll cook something wacky, or everyone will buy a funky hat for a white elephant gift exchange. But this year, I have a spirited idea up my sleeve!

Cocktail & Sons, a small business based in New Orleans that’s owned and operated by former bartenders (and husband and wife) Lauren Myerscough and Max Messier, just released a “12 Days of Cocktails” kit that fits the bill for a fun, different, and festive way to celebrate all season long. Adorably packaged, this box of 12 syrups comes with a recipe booklet that includes three recipes for each specialty syrup—a simple cocktail, an advanced cocktail, and an alcohol-free cocktail.

BUY IT: $44.95; cocktailandsons.com

While you absolutely could celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas by singing what is arguably the most trying of Christmas carols (TBH, it’s a close tie with “Christmas Time Is Here” by the Chipmunks), doesn’t it sound much more fun to sip a new, festive cocktail each night using Southern-made artisan syrups?

I can hear my mom now, saying, "Does everything have to be about drinking?” And you know what, she has a point. Sometimes you don’t feel like having a drink, or perhaps you’re abstaining for important personal reasons. Whatever the case, this kit can be used to make equally delicious non-spirited drinks.

Many of the syrups are made using local fruits and herbs, so they’ll add a rich, wholesome blast of flavor to any juice or sparkling water you choose. Just imagine all the things you could do with syrups like Blueberry Thyme, Cranberry & Bergamot, Fig & Allspice, Roasted Pineapple & Chili Peppers, and Raspberry Hibiscus. Use them to perk up a punch, add a twist to hot tea, or even to brush on cake layers—the only limit is your taste and imagination.