Advent Calendar Day 14
Whether you’re curled up alone with a book or surrounded by loved ones, the right drink can transform an ordinary evening into something memorable. Tonight I’m sharing three of my favorite holiday beverages—each one designed to bring its own kind of comfort and celebration to your December evenings.
We begin with decadent hot chocolate, because if ever there was a season for such indulgence, this is it. For me, the secret lies in balancing sweetness against the deeper, slightly bitter notes of quality dark chocolate. I tend to go heavier on the cacao and lighter on the sweetener, allowing the chocolate itself to shine through. My recipe happens to be vegan, though you should feel free to use whatever milk speaks to you.
Next comes my lighter alternative to mulled wine: a fragrant spiced cider that fills the kitchen with the most wonderful aroma as it simmers. In France, we distinguish between cidre doux (soft cider) and cidre brut (dry cider). The softer version is less fermented, leaving more natural sugars intact—only about 3% alcohol and noticeably sweeter to taste. I prefer it for this recipe since it needs no additional sweetener, though you should adjust to your own palate.
Finally, for Christmas Eve or any festive gathering, I offer a vegan eggnog that has converted even the most skeptical traditionalists. With rich meals already planned, a lighter version of this classic seems both sensible and delicious. And let’s be honest: the real magic of eggnog has always been the nutmeg anyway. I like to mix mine in a salvaged liqueur bottle—it makes storage simple and looks rather charming on the table.
These three drinks represent different moods, different moments in the holiday season. Choose whichever calls to you tonight, and raise your cup to the simple pleasure of something warm, something sweet, something that tastes like celebration.
Cheers, everyone, and happy holidays!
DECADENT VEGAN HOT CHOCOLATE
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
50g raw cashews, soaked for 2+ hours
2 tablespoons raw dark cacao powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1½-2 cups plant-based milk (rice, hazelnut, or your choice)
2 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
40g dark chocolate (80% cacao recommended)
Instructions:
Drain soaked cashews
In a blender, combine cashews, cacao powder, cinnamon, plant milk, and maple syrup
Blend until completely smooth with no cashew pieces remaining
Transfer to a saucepan and add dark chocolate
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate melts and mixture comes to a gentle boil
Pour into festive mugs and serve immediately
Tip: Adjust sweetness after tasting—maple syrup dissolves easily even after cooking
SPICY
MULLED CIDER
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 liter apple cider (cidre doux or sweet cider preferred)
3 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 cinnamon stick
8-10 whole cloves
1 clementine or small orange, sliced
Optional: honey or sugar to taste
Instructions:
Pour cider into a saucepan
Add cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves, and clementine slices
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat
Simmer for 5 minutes until spices are fragrant
Strain into mugs and serve hot
Tip: If using dry/brut cider, add 1-2 tablespoons honey or sugar for sweetness
COCONUT
VEGAN EGGNOG
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
½ cup full-fat coconut milk (the thick cream from a can)
1½ cups almond milk
5 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup Amaretto (or rum, bourbon, or omit for non-alcoholic)
Freshly grated nutmeg for serving
Instructions:
Combine coconut milk, almond milk, maple syrup, and Amaretto in a jar or bottle
Shake vigorously until well mixed
Refrigerate until chilled (at least 2 hours, or overnight)
Shake again before serving
Pour into glasses and garnish generously with freshly grated nutmeg
Tips:
Use the thick cream from the top of a chilled coconut milk can for richness
Shake well before each serving as ingredients may separate
Stores in refrigerator for up to 3 days
Written by Alexandra Poppy
Writer, reader & curator of The Ritual of Reading
I’m Alexandra, the voice behind The Ritual of Reading. Somewhere between a stack of novels and a half-finished pot of tea, I keep finding traces of the life I want to live—slower, richer, filled with stories. The Ritual of Reading is where I gather what I love: books that linger, places with a past, and rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more meaningful. I write from Paris, where elegant bookshops and old-fashioned cafés offer endless inspiration—and I share it here, hoping it brings a spark to your own days, too.
