EVENTS
Cheers to Happy Holidays!
On Thursday, December 17th the New York Design Center hosted Eneia White, principal of Eneia White Interiors, a nationally published firm, and Nicole White of award-winning Nicole White Designs celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, for a holiday-edition of Cocktails & Conversations in partnership with the Black Interior Designers Network.
Themed “home for the holidays,” the creative duo discussed how they plan to celebrate this year, how to make festive holiday décor in black and white, what’s on their Christmas wish lists, which celebrities’ homes they’d love to decorate for the holidays (spoiler alert: Drake and Oprah!), and so much more. Watch the full conversation on the New York Design Center Instagram and continue reading to learn what festive cocktail recipes Eneia and Nicole recommend for the holidays at home this year.
Eneia White (@eneiawhiteinteriors)
Cocktail: Mezcal Mango Smash
Ingredients
3 Lime Wedges
2-3 Fresh Jalapeños Rings
3 Sprigs of Fresh Cilantro stem and leaves
1/4 oz Simple Syrup (optional)
1 1/2 oz Mezcal Creyente Joven
1 oz Orange Liqueur
1 oz Mango Nectar unsweetened
For the Rim: 1 Lime Wedge, 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt, 1/2 tsp Smoky Paprika
Recipe
In a cocktail shaker or mixer add the lime wedges, jalapeño rings, cilantro and simple syrup. Muddle to incorporate the lime juice and essential oils of the herbs and jalapeños. Add the orange liquor, mezcal, and mango nectar. Top with ice and stir/shake.
Rim a low-ball glass with lime, then dip into salt/paprika mixture. Fill the glass with ice and double strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with cilantro, lime and jalapeño rings (if desired).
Nicole White (@nicolewhitedesignsinteriors)
Cocktail: Strawberry Margarita with Jalapeno Infused Tequila
Ingredients
For the jalapeno infused tequila:
750ml blanco tequila
5-6 jalapenos, whole
For the strawberry margarita:
Strawberries, tops off and quartered
1/2 oz simple syrup (use more or less to taste)
Lime, juiced, plus a slice for garnish
1/2 oz jalapeno infused tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
Grand Marnier, if desired
Salt and sugar, for garnish
Mint leaves, for garnish
Recipe
Begin by making the jalapeno infused tequila. Pour the tequila into a large jar (or split it into two jars depending on the size), leaving enough room to place the jalapenos in. Add the jalapenos, whole, and tightly seal the jars. Let stand at room temperature for 1-2 days, the longer you leave them in, the more flavorful the tequila will be. Remove jalapenos when it’s at your desired flavor (I kept mine in for 10 days).
For the strawberry margaritas, place the strawberries and simple syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle well. Fill with ice and add lime juice, jalapeno infused tequila, and the triple sec and shake well.
Prepare a glass with a rim of a mixture of kosher salt and sugar. Pour the margarita (ice and strawberries included) into the rimmed glass and top with a splash of Grand Marnier.
Serve with a slice of lime and mint for garnish.
![Eneia Mezcal Shot](http://staging.nydc.thebeauxartsdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eneia-Mezcal-Shot.jpg)
![Eneia White Headshot_REsized](http://staging.nydc.thebeauxartsdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eneia-White-Headshot_REsized.jpg)
![Nicole White Headshot_Resized](http://staging.nydc.thebeauxartsdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Nicole-White-Headshot_Resized.jpg)
![Nicole Margarita Shot](http://staging.nydc.thebeauxartsdigital.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Nicole-Margarita-Shot.jpg)