Winter Solstice – December 21st
It’s the longest night of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, a time for reflection and a time for new beginnings.
For many cultures and religions, this a spiritual time of year with shared references to light coming out of darkness. It is this same symbolism that led early Christian leaders to adopt this time of year to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, claiming the pagan Germanic “Jol” (Yule) festival as their own, to illustrate that Christ was that rising light emerging from the dark. The original Yuletide festivals included decorations using holly, mistletoe, and the boughs of evergreen trees, large feasts, gift-giving, bon fires, and ritual sacrifices.
Music Du Jour: Songs for the Solstice playlist
Film Du Jour:
Miscellaneous:
- The Solstice candle ritual
- Watching the sun rise at Stonehenge
- Worldwide Winter Solstice traditions
- Winter Solstice trivia
Snacks du Jour:
- Yule Log cake
Cocktail Du Jour – Hot Buttered Rum
Originates in the mid-17th century on English ships—just trying to keep their sailor’s warm. Makes 2-3 servings.
- 2 tablespoons of soft butter
- 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch of nutmeg, freshly ground
- 2 -2 oz servings of spiced rum
- Boiling water
Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl to make the batter. Use one tablespoon of batter per glass/mug. Pour 2 oz of rum over the batter in each glass/mug. Add 1 to 1-1/2 cup of boiling water to the glass/mug. Stir until batter is dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Mocktail Du Jour – Hot Buttered Rum Mocktail
- 2 tablespoons of soft butter
- 5 tablespoons of brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch of nutmeg, freshly ground
- 2 -2 oz servings of Lyre’s non-alcoholic Spiced Cane Spirit
- Boiling water
Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl to make the batter. Use one tablespoon of batter per glass/mug. Pour 2 oz of non-alcoholic spiced cane spirit over the batter in each glass/mug. Add 1 to 1-1/2 cup of boiling water to the glass/mug. Stir until batter is dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Beer Du Jour
Karbach Yule Shoot Your Eye Out or Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Wine Du Jour
Mulled wine
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
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“Stone Henge Sunset” by Cheng I is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
