Ring in the Holidays the Right Way With Brooks Nader’s Favorite Seasonal Cocktails

The model makes the most of the season with these trusted traditions and recipes.

Brooks Nader.Paul Citone/Getty Images

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We all have holiday traditions and recipes that we spend all year reminiscing on—the ones that we can count on year after year, no matter where we are or how old we get. And with the holiday season upon us once again, it’s just about time to break out those beloved foods, drinks and fun activities once again.

But though we all have the things we love to do and the foods we can’t wait to enjoy, there is always room for adding new traditions to the yearly rotation. That’s where SI Swimsuit model Brooks Nader comes in. Recently, the Louisiana native shared a few of her favorite seasonal traditions and recipes with us.

Here are some of her most most cherished traditions and recipes—for your own holiday inspo this year or the ones to come.

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Favorite holiday traditions

There’s no better tradition than—somewhat unwillingly—matching with your siblings and smiling for mom and dad. For Nader, that’s one of the best parts of the season. Christmastime always entails dressing up in matching pajamas with her three sisters and taking a family photo.

Moreover, Christmas day always brings a big pot of her mom’s seafood gumbo. “My mouth is watering just thinking about it,” she gushes of the dish.

Highly-anticipated holiday treats

The season simply wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a few holiday treats. whether they be sweet or savory. In addition to her mom’s gumbo, Nader “love[s] a good egg nog,” she says. And, because they “spend Christmas in Louisiana,” another of her seasonal favorites is Crawfish Étouffée.

Go-to holiday cocktails

Last but certainly not least, we have to take a moment for the cocktails. A good festive drink can set the tone for the whole holiday. With Nader’s recipes, you’re sure to start off on the right foot.

Below you will find a light, refreshing margarita and her dad Breaux’s specialty old fashioned.

Spicy Skinny Guava Margarita

Makes one drink.

• 2 slices of fresh jalapeño
• 2 fresh guavas, quartered
• 2 oz. tequila
• 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• Ice

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh jalapeños and fresh guava. Add the tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau and a couple handfuls of ice cubes.

“Shake until your hands freeze,” Nader says. Fill a cocktail glass with ice and rim with Tajin. Pour and enjoy.

Breaux’s Old Fashioned

Makes one drink.

• 2 oz. Blanton’s Bourbon
• 3 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
• Orange peel
• 2 Luxardo cherries
• Large, round ice cubes

Add the bourbon and orange bitters to a cocktail shaker. Take a spoon and stir together. Fill a cocktail glasses with one large, round ice cube. Pour over the bourbon and bitters. Add an orange peel and two cherries.

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