Houston holiday entertaining made simple with Eat Like a Local: Recipes, wines, and hosting tips
Houston Life
Catch the primetime Eat Like a Local holiday special tonight at 7 p.m. on KPRC 2 and KPRC 2+. Join Chris Shepherd as he shares practical ideas for festive gatherings, whether you’re hosting at home or seeking standout takeout options. Expert insights from Houston’s top culinary insiders will help you craft a showpiece charcuterie board, mix crowd-pleasing batch cocktails, and select wines that impress guests.
Charcuterie 101
To help you assemble the perfect holiday board, Shannon McCracken, general manager and cheese buyer at Montrose Cheese & Wine, offers practical tips.
- Pick 3 or 5 cheeses with varied textures and flavors.
- Plan 4 oz of each cheese for every 3–4 guests.
- Start with cheese, then add 2–3 meats, plus a seasonal assortment of grapes, apples or pears, and optional nuts.
- Include spreads like local honey or fig jam to tie the board together.
- Consider dietary restrictions. Boards can be adapted for vegetarian or Kosher needs by consulting your cheesemonger.
Cocktail recipes
We spoke with Justin Ware, operations director at Winnie’s, Johnny’s Gold Brick, and Starduster Lounge, who shared two festive batch cocktail ideas perfect for the season. Learn how to wow guests with Jingle Balls Nog and Rudolph’s Red Nose, plus tips for scaling cocktails for larger batches.
Rudolph’s Red Nose (1 cocktail)
1 oz apple jack
1 oz white rum
1 oz lemon
0.75 oz orange tea syrup
0.75 oz apple cider
1.5 oz water
Yield: 6 fl oz
Garnish: Apple fan
Rudolph’s Red Nose (serves 5)
5 oz apple jack
5 oz white rum
5 oz lemon
3.75 oz orange tea syrup
3.75 oz apple cider
7.5 oz water
Yield: 30 fl oz
Garnish: Apple fan
Orange Tea syrup
4 cups white sugar
2 cups water
4 tea bags
Yield: 1 quart
Combine ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, then steep briefly. Strain while hot and cool. Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.
Jingle Balls Nog (1 cocktail)
2 fl oz almond milk
1.5 fl oz heavy cream
1 whole egg
0.75 fl oz cream sherry
0.5 fl oz cognac
6 teaspoons white sugar
1/8 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
Yield: 8 fl oz
Blend ingredients until sugar dissolves, then chill. Stir before serving and garnish with nutmeg.
Jingle Balls Nog (32 fl oz, about 5 servings)
8 fl oz almond milk
6 fl oz heavy cream
4 whole eggs
3 fl oz cream sherry
2 fl oz cognac
0.5 cup white sugar
0.5 tsp vanilla extract
0.5 tsp almond extract
0.5 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
Yield: 32 fl oz
Blend and chill as above, then garnish with fresh nutmeg.
Wine list
A selection available from the Houston Wine Merchant (houstonwines.com) includes:
- Giuseppe Quintarelli Ca’ del Merlo 2018
- Alex Foillard Brouilly 2018
- North Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2022
- Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 2022 Magnum
- Moulin Touchais 1996
- Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé
- Chêne Bleu Rosé 2023
- Hirsch Vineyards West Ridge Pinot Noir 2022
- Thomas Fogarty Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- Heirtz Vineyards Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Holiday menu timeline
For a smooth holiday season, Chris Shepherd shares a practical day-by-day plan to keep you organized:
- Create a timeline with prep and shopping lists.
- Finalize the menu and drinks, including potential cocktails, mocktails, and wine.
- Check with guests about contributions to avoid duplicates.
- Consider placing orders ahead of time and leaning on local shops or restaurants for flexibility and discovery of new flavors.
- Enjoy the day, stay flexible, and remember that hosting should be enjoyable, not stressful.
Hosting tips
Elliot Wood, general manager of Credence, weighs in on making your gathering memorable:
- Tailor the experience to guests’ interests rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, feature a favorite wine or dessert for someone special.
- Be present and engaged. Plan ahead so hosting duties don’t steal your time with guests.
- End with a memorable surprise, such as a signature drink or a sentimental dessert.
- If the evening wraps early or you want a graceful finish, arrange a “next stop”—a local bar or event for guests to transition to, leaving them with a sense of excitement.
Desserts
Bananas Foster
Ingredients: 2 bananas (lengthwise), 3 tablespoons rum, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla ice cream. Instructions include sautéing bananas with butter and sugar, flambéing with rum, and serving over ice cream with a cinnamon dusting.
Pie guide
Restaurant-inspired pie suggestions from various spots:
- Cleburne Cafeteria: Cherry Pie; Coconut Ice Box Pie
- Fluff Bake Bar: Chocolate Peppermint Pie; Egg Nog Cream Pie
- House of Pies: Bayou Goo Pie; Dutch Apple Pie
- Nobie’s: Black Bottom Coconut Pie; Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pie
- Proud Pie: Wobbly Turtle Pie; Big Texas Bourbon Pecan Pie
Gift guide
Curated gift ideas by interest: wine lovers, home cooks, and those with a sweet tooth, featuring accessories like Coravin, Meater 2, Cook Like a Local cookbook, 44 Farms gift packs, and local sweets.
Dining out on Christmas 2025
If cooking isn’t in the cards this year, Houston offers numerous dining options on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, plus takeout deals and holiday specials. The guide highlights festive menus, convenience, and stress-free alternatives for holiday dining.
Season 3 of Eat Like a Local
A teaser list of episodes and features from the forthcoming season is included.
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston. All rights reserved.
