Without a doubt one of the best things about the holidays is the special drinks of the season.

Egg nog, hot toddy, cocoa with marshmallows, peppermint mocha. There are so many special flavors reserved for winter alone. When else do you feel like stirring a hot apple juice with a cinnamon stick?

This is my first Thanksgiving eating as a Weekday Vegan. I’ve had to put some thought into vegetizing some of my favorite cold-weather beverages.

One easy way has been to replace dairy milk with plant-based drinks. I feel so luck to have a huge number choices of at my local supermarket.

I remember the first time I bought Silk soymilk. We were trying a dairy-free diet for my son’s tummy issues. Since then Silk has added so many new and tasty options: plain, vanilla, chocolate. Even other plant sources like almond or coconut. Almond is my favorite.

I use the plain Silk for baking and cooking, and the vanilla or chocolate for drinking or on cereal. Don’t think you have to be a vegan to enjoy Silk. It tastes great no matter what.

Did you know there is a recipe contest on the Silk Facebook page? Everyone who enters the contest receives an apron from Silk. Three grand-prize winners receive a KtichenAid Mixer and a free year of Silk!

Also, check out Silk’s Facebook page for all sixteen Winter drinks from their master Silkologist, and for discount coupons.

I tested the Orange Snowball recipe for you. It has two variations: one is a cocktail and another is a delicious drink for all ages.

I made the alcohol-free version of the Orange Snowball and absolutely loved it. I used the Silk vanilla almond milk and appreciated the lightly sweet flavor and creamy texture. It reminded me of those frozen creamy orange drinks we got at the mall when I was a kid. It was even better fresh and cold at home.

If you use the sweetened Silk, leave out the agave.

Orange Snowball Cocktail

2 oz Silk Original soy, almond or coconut milk
1 oz orange liqueur such Grand Marnier
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 tsp agave
Candied orange peel for garnish
Place all ingredients except garnish in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup of ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with candied orange peel.

Orange Snowball (Non-Alcoholic)

3 oz Silk Original soy, almond or coconutmilk
1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tsp agave
2 dashes Angostura bitters*
Candied orange peel for garnish
*Adds a trivial amount of alcohol
Place all ingredients except garnish in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup of ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with candied orange peel.

For a quick and easy treat, just mix vanilla Silk and orange juice—that’s all you need!

The Silkology Recipe Contest ends December 1st, so dream up your own masterpiece soon!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.