Gilbert Cruz

Vandy in Oakland, California asks, quote, why do some cookies taste as good or better in days three, four and beyond, while others are only truly good the day they are baked?

How do I pick recipes or pack cookies to last?

One more question on this theme.

This is from Polly in Stafford, Virginia.

She says that she and a friend, they have this tradition of baking all their holiday cookies together over the course of, you know, a long weekend.

She says, quote, it's a chance for us to visit.

We go home with dozens and dozens of cookies.

What is the best way to wrap cookies to store in the freezer for later?

Okay.

We are going to move on now from cookies and into more general holiday entertaining questions.

We got a few people asking about signature cocktails for a party.

This question is from Alicia in Hopewell Junction, New York.

She says, quote, with fewer people drinking alcohol these days, side note, not me, I'd love some recipes for a sophisticated holiday punch or drink base, no Sprite or sherbet, that is delicious both with or without liquor.

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I buy simple syrup?

I appreciate your honesty.

There is one that I made a couple years ago that I feel like I only break out around the holidays because there are way too many ingredients involved, but it's sort of like a cranberry orange Manhattan.

Mm-hmm.

Definitely is too sweet because after two, your sugar is just is way too high.

But it's, you know, rye or bourbon, cranberry juice, you know, get some orange bitters in there or some orange juice.

Maybe you top it off with a little ginger beer to give it a little kick and you can batch it.