The winter solstice is defined as “the solstice that marks the onset of winter, at the time of the shortest day, about December 22 in the northern hemisphere.”  Which sounds to me like the day that marks the beginning of hibernation, sloth and eating cupcakes. The winter of 2015-2016 had been very mild- I mean VERY mild- here on the East Coast up until about the middle of January- then we got hit with our first serious storm last week. The weather people were all calling it “the storm of the century,” the name they appoint any major storm that dumps a foot of snow or more.

We’ve probably had about a dozen storms of the century since 2008, and we still have quite a bit more of the century to go. Although this particular storm was pretty severe, I would like to get through at least another fifty years of the 21^st century before legitimately claiming any storm as such. But I digress.
My point about the winter solstice is that although it brings to mind the beginning of those cold dreary months of shoveling driveways and white knuckle driving, it is also cause for celebration. It’s the shortest day of the year, so every day afterward is one day closer to spring. Which means the days are getting longer and the temperatures will be getting less frigid before we know it. And guess what, people? We are a month past that shortest day of the year!

In honor of the optimistic view of our calendar, I give to you the Winter Solstice martini- it looks like a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark, cold landscape. And it will remind you of that tropical spring vacation you will hopefully be able to take once the snow melts.
Winter Solstice Martini
1 ½ oz each peach vodka and vanilla vodka
1 oz coconut rum
2 oz pear nectar (sold at supermarkets in the “World Foods” aisle)
2 oz pineapple juice
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker full of ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a pineapple chunk.
This drink might not help you if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but it should certainly help to bring on a sunnier disposition.   Something we could all use to get us through to the next solstice.