As the winter holidays grow near, we shop for decorations, gifts and ugly Christmas sweaters. Charity fills our hearts and we often seek to help out neighbors in need, and we seek out fun around every corner with holiday happening.
But let’s not forget the holiday food and drinks that are on everyone’s minds. Some of the classic drinks we know and love are homemade favorites, like eggnog or hot cocoa, but when we want to go out to eat with family and friends we need drinks to keep us just as toasty. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of tasty holiday drinks in the Lewis County Community.
Irish Hot Chocolate
If you stop by O’Blarney’s in Centralia for some delicious pub food, you’ll have several options to choose from their seasonal drinks lineup. A popular one that many may recognize is the Irish Hot Chocolate. Jameson Irish Whiskey, Bailey’s Irish Cream, hot cocoa, and a float of Guinness Stout make up this toasty Irish drink.
Captain Hot Buttered Rum
O’Blarney’s also has their own version of a hot buttered rum, called a Captain Hot Buttered Rum. This holiday drink pairs Captain Morgan rum and hot buttered rum mix.
Peach Cobbler
If you’re looking for something a little less traditional, this pub also has a drink called the Peach Cobbler. It’s a delicious mix of Captain Morgan, peach schnapps, and hot apple cider that’ll warm the soul, just like the real dish.
Hot Buttered Rum
Another stop in Centralia that has their own take on a classic is McMenamins Olympic Club. Their hot buttered rum uses CPR (Cornelius Pass Roadhouse) Distillery’s Spiced 3 Rocks Rum and homemade butter batter.
Ginger Perry
If you’re looking for a non-cocktail seasonal drink, McMenamins has got you covered. On tap from November thru January is their Ginger Perry. The drink is made from fermented anjou pears, fresh-pressed pear juice, juiced ginger and spices. It’s the pear version of hard cider with a fall kick to it.
Hot Buttered Rum
Centralia’s Country Cousin is a great restaurant with both adult and kid-friendly drinks for the holidays. Here there is another version of the classic hot buttered rum drink, but with vanilla ice cream, apple cider, a shot of rum and a multitude of flavors, including brown sugar butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Apple Cider
Country Cousin serves an adult version of the traditional apple cider as well, using a simple-but-delicious mix of apple cider whiskey and a cinnamon stick.
Flavored Hot Cocoas
Country Cousin doesn’t leave the kids out of the holiday fun! The kid-friendly drinks include peppermint hot cocoa and toasted marshmallow hot cocoa.
Denny’s (Chehalis or Centralia)
Holiday Cookie Milkshake
Milkshakes can be a delicious, kid-friendly (and adult-friendly too!) treat for any season and Denny’s in Chehalis and Centralia has some of the best shakes in the diner business. This year, the diner is serving up the Holiday Cookie Milkshake made with vanilla ice cream mixed with cookie butter and topped with whipped cream and shortbread cookie pieces.
Bonus At-Home Recipe
The Grinch
An amazing homemade drink recipe my mom and I tried out last year and will continue to make each Christmas season is called The Grinch.
- 3 oz peach schnapps
- 3 oz Bacardi 151 rum
- 12 oz orange juice
- 4 oz Sprite
- 3 oz blue curacao liqueur
When mixed together it’s a beautiful green, Grinchy color and make sure to add a candy cane for flavor and decoration!
