Special holidays call for special celebrations. Colonial can help you find the perfect pairing, create a signature cocktail or cook with a little more spirit this year. Check out these ideas or stop by the store to talk to one of our celebration specialists. And remember to Celebrate Responsibly.

Here are some basic wine and food pairing philosophies that can help.

Seek Balance: Bold foods call for bold wines; think steak and a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon like Gerard Bertrand. Lighter, delicate dishes call for more subtle flavors.

Alike / Opposite: You can often pair the same dish with two very different wines. Serving something sweet? Pair it with an equally sweet wine or go for one that contrasts the flavor with more acidity.

Pair Like a Local: When serving regional cuisine (Italian, German, Spanish) try to select a wine from that same region. The flavors were meant to be together.

Check out our food and wine pairing chart for more ideas!

Here are some delicious pairings to serve to your guests. Leave the milk for Santa.

Don't let stress keep you from enjoying the party too. Here are some helpful tips to help make your holidays easier. 

Here are three types of wines you should have on hand for entertaining or as last-minute hostess gifts. Stock up before party season begins:

Why not try something new this holiday season?
Chef Henrik has some delicious recipes that will add a little "spirit" to your Holiday Dinner. 

The piping bag is one of the easiest, yet most important, kitchen tools available when it comes to entertaining. It helps you create amazing-looking appetizers and desserts, even if they are pre-made. Check out these recipes to add flavor and fun to your next party, without the stress!

It's essential for an unforgettable holiday party!

• 3/4 cup cranberry juice
• 1 oz. vodka
• splash of Ginger Ale
• cranberries for garnish

Mix together the cranberry juice and vodka. Pour into a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top off with ginger ale and garnish with cranberries.

Here are some more wonderful Christmas cocktails to serve any time this season!

For the Rim

• ½ cup vanilla frosting (canned)
• ¼ cup sprinkles plus 1 tsp. divided
• pre-made sugar cookie dough*

Using an offset spatula, spread a thin layer of frosting onto rim of two martini glasses. Pour ¼ cup sprinkles onto a small plate then dip rims in sprinkles to coat.

For the Martini

• ½ cup whole milk
• ¼ cup Baileys Irish Cream
• 2 oz. Absolut Vanilla Vodka
• 2 oz. Disaronno Amaretto
• ice

*Optional: shaped sugar cookie garnis

In a cocktail shaker, combine milk, Baileys, vodka, and amaretto. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into glasses and garnish with a cookie (optional).

• handful of fresh mint or peppermint
• 2 oz. Tito’s Vodka
• juice of ½ lime
• 6 oz. ginger beer (more / less to taste)
• crushed ice
• Garnish: crushed & whole candy can

DIRECTIONS

Place handful of mint and the vodka in a copper mug. Muddle. Fill mug with crushed ice. Stir in lime juice then top with ginger beer.

Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top and garnish with a whole candy cane.

• 2 oz. Pearl Pomegranate Vodka

• 1 oz. pomegranate juice

• 1 tbsp. pomegranate seeds

• 1 tbsp. lime juice

• 1 tsp. honey

• 1/2 cup ice

• Gosling Ginger beer

• sprig of rosemary

Pre-chill clear cocktail glasses like a large “rocks” glass. In strainer, add vodka, pomegranate juice, pomegranate seeds, lime juice and honey. Shake until ingredients are well integrated together. Add ice to chilled glass. Pour mixture over ice and top off with ginger beer. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

• 4 cups milk
• 5 whole cloves
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 ½ cups Ron Abuelo Añejo
• 4 cups cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg

+ Add your favorite Holiday Spirit

DIRECTIONS

Combine milk, cloves, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat over low setting for 5 minutes and slowly bring to a boil. Combine egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl and whisk until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the fluffy egg and sugar mixture. Transfer combined mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves. Let cool for about an hour. Stir in rum, cream, 2 tsp. of vanilla and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

• 2 tbsp. Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur

• 2 tbsp. Tuaca Liqueur

• 1 ½ tbsp. Kahlua

• 1 tbsp. honey

• 2 tsp. whipping cream

• 1 cup ice cubes

Optional: Dip glass rims in ginger liqueur and crushed gingersnaps. Store glasses in freezer up to 2 days.

DIRECTIONS

Shake together the Ginger Liqueur, Tuaca, Kahlua, honey and whipping cream in cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes, cover with lid and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into chilled martini glass.