By the fireside at The Captain Stannard

Step into the lobby this time of year, and everything feels just a little enchanted. The old floorboards seem to sigh contentedly beneath wreath-scented air, the twinkle lights flicker like stars caught in the rigging of a ship, and the whole inn hums with that quiet, comforting feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be.

It’s the season when guests come in with rosy cheeks and cold hands, when luggage wheels leave tiny tracks of snowmelt on the porch, and when our kitchen fills the halls with warm spice. And it’s the season when Meri & Marcus bring out their favorite tradition of all — the first batch of their Merry & Bright Eggnog Martini.

A Toast Born on Deck (Sort Of)

The idea came to Meri years ago, on a breezy December afternoon when she and Marcus were creating an island stop itinerary before a January sail through the BVIs. The world was cold and gray, the ocean steel-blue and restless — but in her hands she held a thermos of homemade eggnog she’d prepped.

Marcus joked, “If we could turn this into a proper cocktail, I’d swear we would already be halfway to Tortola.”

And right there, bundled in coats on the dock, they dreamed up a holiday sip that tasted like:

• New England winter comfort,
  
• the promise of turquoise waters ahead, and
  
• a little mischief you only get around the holidays.
  

Back at The Captain Stannard, they tinkered until they landed on the perfect recipe — creamy, balanced, and festive enough to earn a permanent place in the inn’s December traditions.

The Cocktail: Creamy, Dreamy, and Anchored in Cheer

Merry & Bright Eggnog Martini

• 1.5 oz vanilla vodka
  
• 1 oz Baileys
  
• 1 oz eggnog
  
• Dash of cinnamon
  Garnish: grated nutmeg & a mini candy cane
  

It’s holiday nostalgia in a martini glass — smooth, spiced, and just sweet enough to remind you of cookie-baking afternoons and crackling fires. The grated nutmeg warms the palate, while the candy cane melts slowly, leaving the faintest hint of peppermint, like a cool breeze across warm sands.

It’s the drink Meri swears “could thaw a sailor after a nor’easter,” and Marcus calls “good enough to earn its sea legs.”

Why It Belongs by the Tree at The Captain Stannard

Each December, when the garlands go up and the inn glows gold at dusk, the Merry & Bright feels right at home. Sippin’ it curled into the big chairs by the hearth, swapping travel stories and counting down the days to their BVI escapes.

It’s a small ritual, a moment of stillness before the new year’s adventures begin.

Make One at Home

Mix this up in your kitchen and may your December be merry, bright, and full of good company.

Here’s to holiday magic — on land, at sea, and everywhere warm in between.