IntroductionChristmas has always been a special holiday for me. Growing up as part of a large family meant it was a holiday full of magic, due in large part to the traditions my parents created. One of those traditions was Christmas dinner. Christmas dinner at my parents’ home was and still is one of my favorite traditions. It’s a day full of love, laughter, delicious food, and a house packed wall-to-wall with cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and other loved ones. It is chaotic in the best way and, most importantly, so memorable.
Christmas dinner is like the Super Bowl for my parents. They start prepping days in advance—seasoning, stirring, marinating. Then, the morning of, the house is filled with aromas of curries and spices and reggae holiday classics blasting through the living room speakers. Guests travel from near and far. And when they arrive, the house echoes with laughter, jokes, and unbelievable stories about their childhoods in the islands. At the end of the night, people leave into the cold with full bellies, warm hearts, and to-go plates. So when I started writing this book, I knew I wanted the recipes to evoke that same love and warmth I get to experience year after year at Mommy and Daddy’s Christmas dinner.
The pages of this book are full of cocktail recipes that will get you in the holiday spirit. Think cozy classics with a twist and flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cranberry, to name a few. But it’s also more than just a recipe book. It’s a love letter to my favorite holiday. It’s a tribute to the traditions I grew up with—sipping sorrel, slicing black cake, secret Santa— and the ones I’m still creating.
Looking back, I realize that my parents’ Christmas dinner taught me a lot of lessons about the art of gathering and what it means to create a warm, welcoming home and lasting impressions. Through them, I got to witness genuine hospitality and authentic connection. So in addition to the cocktail recipes, you’ll also find some of my best tips and tricks for creating memorable experiences for your guests. Paired with the cocktails in this book, my holiday hosting hacks will inspire you to see hosting with fresh eyes and make you excited to shake and stir up Christmas magic your guests will never forget.
My hope for you is that you’ll find recipes you will want to make for yourselves and your loved ones over and over again. And that you’ll revisit these pages every holiday season to find joy and inspiration. Who knows? It may even spark ideas for your next holiday tradition.
But no matter what your holiday traditions are, I hope you’ll join me on this journey of creating Christmas magic through cocktails. So here’s to clinking glasses in good company during Christmastime and beyond!
Copyright © 2026 by Camille Wilson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
