The Snowball

White conveys purity, cleanliness, serenity, lightness, and even happiness.

In the world of design, there are countless variations of white–cool whites, warm whites, antique whites, and so on. Depending on the ambient lighting, each version can present itself differently, and with natural light, there are changes throughout the day.

I remember when I first moved to New York and got my first apartment after graduate school. The bright florals and the vivid green of summer soon gave way to the autumnal hues. A splendid fall palette of red, orange, rust, yellow and coppery brown enrobed the landscape for what seemed to be the briefest moment.

Then the white veil of the first snow (or the grey one if you live in NYC) changed the city’s palette once again. I was excited about buying my first Christmas tree, but because I did not have any decorations, I had to consider my choices. I chose to take cues from nature. The entire tree was decorated in shades of white with clear crystals to mimic icicles and the glistening reflections of snow. With lights draped between the branches, my tree looked as if I had brought a slice of Central Park into the apartment, minus the wet mess that makes it difficult to walk around.

For this holiday season, brighten things up by serving this whimsical Snowball. This drink will serve as an ideal alternative to the classic eggnog if you’re looking for something new. The Snowball can also serve as a great dessert or an after dinner refreshment. I hope this cocktail will bring you much joy and set a high festive tone for your holidays as my very first Christmas did. Cheers!