Wind-Down Ritual: Sēkwl's Cacao Cocktail and Mocktail that's a Cozy Winter Nightcap

By John Walls
Head of Marketing & Communications, Sēkwl Beverage House

December nights have two modes - cozy and chaotic. Sometimes you're enjoying the vibe of candles, your heaviest warm blanket, and your favorite TV show. Other times you're looking around at friends and family asking, “Why are we still wrapping gifts at 11:47 PM?”

This is exactly why I love Cacao during the holidays. It’s rich, smooth, and feels like an end-of-day exhale - especially when it’s infused with functional mushrooms like Reishi, often used to support calm and stress balance.

👉 Shop Sēkwl Cacao Adaptogenic Sparkling Seltzer

Cacao + Reishi: The Cozy Ritual Combo

Cacao has that warm, comfort vibe built in. Pair it with Reishi and it becomes a ritual: a signal to slow down, reset your nervous system a bit, and not carry the whole day into bed with you.

No, it won’t magically delete your to-do list. But it can help you create a moment that feels grounded.

When You’d Want This One:

• After hosting (when you’re cleaning the kitchen alone… again)
• On a cold night when you want cozy without heavy sweetness
• When you’re craving dessert vibes but not a sugar bomb
• As a “nightcap” that feels calmer than the usual options

Sēkwl's Cacao Collins Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz whiskey (optional)
• ¼ oz cacao simple syrup
• 4 oz Sēkwl Cacao Adaptogenic Sparkling Seltzer
• Garnish: orange peel twist or shaved cacao nibs

Build:

• In a mixing glass, combine whiskey and cacao syrup with ice.
• Stir until chilled.
• Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
• Top with Sēkwl Cacao, stir gently, and garnish.

How to Make it NA (And it Still Feels Like a Treat)

Skip the whiskey and pour 4-6 oz of Sēkwl Cacao over ice, add an orange peel (this makes it feel like a real cocktail), then top off with a tiny drizzle of cacao syrup as a light sweeter.

Holiday Balance Tip

Try a 10-minute winding down “closing shift” routine after evening events and before you hit the sack:

1. glass of water
2. quick tidy
3. phone down
4. one calming drink

It’s a small ritual that helps sleep show up faster.

- John at Sēkwl 🍄🕯️