The Nourison Home Cocktail Guide

Holiday prep is officially underway! Now’s the time to lay out the final festive touches that form the foundation for another season of gathering. Maybe we’re a little biased, but our holiday hosting foundation tends to start with a rug. We truly believe the right rug not only grounds a room but creates warmth and comfort that goes hand in hand with holiday gatherings.

In the spirit of gathering, we’ve put together a cocktail guide that pairs seasonal drinks with some of our favorite rug designs. Each recipe was chosen to reflect the rug that inspired it, drawing on colors, patterns, and overall mood. We’ve also included spirit-free mocktails so everyone at the table can enjoy a festive sip.

Martini glass on a plinth in front of a Scandinavian-style neutral rug

Shortbread Cookie Martini

Inspired by Copenhagen CPN01 Ivory Beige

The cozy neutrals and simple pattern repeat on this Copenhagen rug bring classic holiday cookies to mind. The warm and inviting profile is a great match for this sweet and creamy martini.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz vanilla vodka (plain vodka + ¼ tsp vanilla extract)
  • 1 oz Irish cream liqueur
  • ¼ tsp almond extract
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • ½ oz heavy cream or half-and-half

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add all ingredients and shake until well-chilled.
  3. Strain into a coupe or small martini glass.

Garnish: Rim glass with crushed shortbread crumbs or cinnamon sugar. Top with a sprinkle of nutmeg.


Frosted Sugar Cream | Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz milk or oat milk
  • 1 oz vanilla syrup (or ½ oz vanilla + ½ oz almond syrup)
  • ½ oz heavy cream
  • Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Shake or stir with ice until slightly frothy.
  2. Strain into a small glass.
  3. Top with whipped cream or a dusting of cookie crumbs.

Garnish: Sprinkle of brown sugar or mini shortbread cookie on top

Cocktail on a plinth in front of a Persian-inspired rug

Gingerbread White Russian

Inspired by Pardis PRD04 Rust

With a pattern reminiscent of a gingerbread house and a palette that leans into warm and festive vibes, this Pardis rug (pronounced par-dee) + cocktail pairing is the perfect way to get the “party” started. This holiday twist on a White Russian adds the right touch of spice ideal for the holidays.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz heavy cream or half and half
  • ½ oz gingerbread syrup (or molasses + pinch ground ginger + cinnamon)

Instructions:

  1. Add ice to a rocks glass
  2. Pour coffee liqueur and vodka over ice
  3. Slowly pour in cream and drizzle gingerbread syrup. Stir lightly for a marbled effect

Garnish: Crushed ginger cookie crumbs or sprinkle with cinnamon


Gingerbread Cream Cafe | Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz milk
  • 1 oz cold brew
  • ½ oz gingerbread syrup

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add milk, cold brew, and syrup.
  3. Stir well.

Garnish: Finish with a dash of cinnamon.

Cocktail on a plinth in front of an abstract blue and grey rug

Winter Solstice

Inspired by Dekor DEK04 Grey Navy

To us, this Dekor rug is the embodiment of “winter”. The abstract pattern and blue/grey mix feels like a snowy day indoors, watching the flakes come down through a frosted window. That’s why we picked this light-tasting cocktail to match.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz vodka
  • ½ oz blue curacao
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • ½ oz + one splash lemon juice
  • Club soda (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Shake vodka, curacao, simple syrup, and lemon juice with ice
  2. Strain into a chilled coupe or highball glass
  3. Top with club soda and stir gently

Garnish: Lemon twist or frozen blueberries. Serve in a chilled glass for a wintry effect.


Blueberry Winter Spritz | Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz white grape juice
  • 1 tsp blueberry jam
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Club soda (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Add grape juice, blueberry jam, and lemon juice to a glass.
  2. Stir until the jam dissolves.
  3. Add ice and top with club soda.
Cocktail on a plinth in front of a Scandinavian style geometric rug

Cinnamon Apple Pie

Inspired by Nordic NRC16 Ivory Rust

There’s something about the combination of this Nordic rug’s diamond pattern and warm red and beige palette that feels like digging into a slice of fresh apple pie on a crisp winter night. This apple pie mule channels that same energy into a cozy drink perfect for the season.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz apple cider
  • 1 oz cinnamon whiskey
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Ginger beer (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Add cider, whiskey, and lemon juice to a copper mug with ice
  2. Top with ginger beer and stir lightly

Garnish: Apple slice dusted with cinnamon or small cinnamon stick


Cinnamon Apple Sparkler | Mocktail

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz apple cider
  • ½ oz cinnamon simple syrup (equal parts sugar, water, and cinnamon)
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Ginger ale (for topping)

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add cider, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice.
  3. Stir well.
  4. Top with ginger ale.

Garnish: Apple slice or a small cinnamon stick.

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