Drink well this holiday season with Peace and Saint

WRAL contributor Kiara Ruth shares some fun cocktails and mocktails available at Raleigh's Peace and Saint bar.

Posted 4:18 p.m. Nov 15, 2021 — Updated 4:18 p.m. Nov 15, 2021

Kiara Ruth

, WRAL contributor

RALEIGH, N.C. — Drinking well is essential to a successful holiday season. Some people enjoy traditional holiday drinks like Apple Cider for Thanksgiving, Eggnog and Hot Chocolate for Christmas and your favorite Champagne to bring the New Year! Other events like weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays wouldn’t be the same without a toast with a drink of your choice. So, with all things, drinking well during the holidays is essential.

First, I want to say that water is the best choice. We have found so many ways to make water delicious. We can improve the taste by adding lemon or fruit. I love seeing the ice trays filled with flowers and fruit to elevate experiences with water. During the holiday’s it is so easy to overindulge in all the things and I love that water is always an option.

I’ve found that during the holidays I am always searching through my various cookbooks and Pinterest to find the best cocktails and mocktails to make. This year, I decided to work with Peace and Saint, an elevated shisha cafe and lounge that offers coffee, wine, locally made pastries and curated hookah selections. They have carefully come up with curated a list of cocktails and mocktails that you can make in the comfort of your home or come and try at their lounge.

I love how the mixologist, Jules, has tailored the menu specifically to herself and the city we all love. Here are some of her creations and how she describes them:

Came through Drippin’

BlancoTequila
Ginger Liqueur
Sage and Lime
Zest infused simple syrup
Lime
Juice
Tart Cherry
Saffron Bitters

Inspired by Cardi B, this cocktail is a riff on a classic Margarita with a boost of herbal infusions. The green hue that this cocktail has comes from the edible glitter captivating the eye of the beholder. For the tequila lovers, this cocktail is our top seller and most favored by the staff.

Espresso Martini

Ketel One
Vodka
Baileys
Larry’s Mocha Coldbrew

Everywhere I go I love to see this cocktail on the menu. This cocktail is for the coffee lovers, the night cappers, and the sweet drinkers. Depending on the bar, they may make it sweeter or even boozier, my blend is precise on flavor using local products such as Larry’s Cold brew.

Saint Sangria

Blanco Tequila
Orange
Liqueur
Cinnamon Infused simple
Syrup
Pineapple Juice
Red Wine

This is an all-year cocktail. My version is a tequila base instead of brandy or rum which expresses the other flavors more. A sangria can be anyone’s flow, especially during the holidays.

Chillin’ in the Cut

Fresh Watermelon Cubes
Honey simple syrup
Lemon
Juice
Fresh Mint

Peace and Saint is in the cut of what borders Village District from downtown Raleigh. This typically is a summer mocktail but can be sipped on all year and was inspired by a regular that requested a mocktail with watermelon in it. This is perfect for someone who either doesn’t drink or wants to slow down in between a drink.

Limonana

Vodka
Fresh Lemon
Juice
Simple Syrup
Mint

Another frozen concoction that was inspired by my upbringing. My dad would make these during the holidays when the family came over for Ramadan. We would make the mocktail version (without the alcohol) as a batch for everyone to have. This is a refreshing mocktail anyone can enjoy at home or at the bar.

I hope that this is a great start to drinking well this holiday season. Be sure to head over to Peace and Saint to enjoy one of their delicious cocktails and let them know Kiara from the Banana Moon sent you!

Kiara Ruth is a mom to Miles who is 7 years and the wife to Terrance Ruth who is a professor at NC State. Kiara and her family recently rescued a dog, Oakley who is 3 years old. She blogs about her family via the Banana Moon blog.

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