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Spiced and Yummy Holiday Cocktail Recipes

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I love holiday entertaining! The scents and flavors of the holiday season are so delicious, from cranberry to pumpkin and spices. Today I have some holiday cocktail recipes to share with you from Camarena and Blue Ice American Vodka. They’re great for toasting to the holidays, checking out a little football, or ringing in the new year.

Spiced Ginger Apple Tequini

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz Camarena Reposado Tequila
  • 2 oz apple cider
  • ½ oz Cointreau
  •  ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • 3 dashes of fresh ginger juice
  • Thinly-sliced apple slices for garnish

Directions:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine all of the ingredients
  2. Fill with ice and give a generous shake
  3. Double strain into a martini glass and garnish with a fan of thinly-sliced apple slices

Camarena Cranberry Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Camarena Silver Tequila
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1 cup Cointreau
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • ½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice

Directions:

  1. In a 48 oz pitcher, add all ingredients and stir well
  2. Add ice to the pitcher, until filled to the brim and carefully stir
  3. Serve in lowball glasses rimed with sugar

· Serves 6

Gingered Pear

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz Blue Ice Vodka
  • ½ oz pear liqueur
  • ¼ oz fresh lime juice
  • 4 oz Ginger Beer
  • Fresh pear, sliced

Directions:

  1. Add vodka and pear liqueur and lime juice to a highball glass
  2. Add ice, fill with ginger beer and mix with a swivel spoon
  3.  Garnish with a fresh pear slice

Cinnamon Apple Martini

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz Blue Ice American Vodka
  • 1 oz apple liqueur
  • Splash cinnamon schnapps
  • Apple slice
  • Red cherry
  • Cinnamon stick

Directions:

  1. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
  2. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice, red cherry and a cinnamon stick

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Ingredients

  • 4 oz Blue Ice American Vodka
  • 1 oz DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup
  • Cinnamon Sugar
  • Orange slice

Directions:

  1. Add vodka and pumpkin pie syrup to a cocktail shaker
  2. Shake well and strain into a martini glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar
  3. Garnish with an orange slice

Jalisco Nights

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Camarena Reposado Tequila
  • 5 oz hot coffee
  • ½ oz Crème de Cacao
  • ½ oz Green Chartreuse
  • Whip Cream

Directions:

  1. Build in wine glass or coffee cup
  2. Top with whip cream

Enjoy! Always remind your guests to drink responsibly, and never drink and drive!

Delicious Christmas Cocktail Ideas

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I’ve been looking around the last few days and I’ve found some yummy looking Christmas cocktail ideas on Pinterest! I always like to make one or two cocktails when I entertain and make them my signature drink for the event. If it’s a Christmas or holiday party you’re throwing, then it’s extra fun to give your signature drink a Christmas theme. All of these fabulous recipes do just that! Enjoy!

Just click on the links below the photo to get to the recipes and details about the cocktails!

Christmas Cranberry Mojitos from We Are Not Martha

 

The Grinch From It Thing

Source: itthing.com via Linette on Pinterest

 

White Chocolate Marshmallow Peppermint Martini from Betty Crocker

 

Red Glitter Godiva Mudsling Martini from My Thirty Spot~ Love the festive colors!

 

Chocolate ‘Blitzen’ Martini by BHG

Source: bhg.com via Linette on Pinterest

 

Gingerbread Martini by My Recipes

 

I’m all over the chocolate cocktails! I might have to try the mojitos too!

Please remember to drink responsibly, and never let your guests drink and drive!

Valentine’s Day Cocktails From G’Vine Gin

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Today I have some yummy Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes to share with you courtesy of G’Vine Gin. Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, so it calls for a romantic cocktail to share with your sweetie.

These romance theme cocktails should help set the mood.

Love Potion

  • 1 1/2 oz G’vine Floraison gin
  • 1/2 oz sloe gin
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 oz Monin raspberry syrup
  • 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
  • 3 dashes rhubarb bitters
  • Garnish: blood orange slice

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a blood orange slice.

Pernod Absinthe: This spirit traces its roots back to the period of French Impressionism and was a favorite among romantic figures such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Hemingway. The Maiden’s Blush is a lovely and appropriate classic for the occasion.

The Maiden’s Blush

The Maiden’s Blush appeared in Bariana, the first French cocktail manual by Louis Fouquet, in 1896. This variation uses fresh raspberries instead of grenadine.

  • 1 part PERNOD® Aux Plantes D’Absinthe Supérieure
  • 1 part PLYMOUTH ® Gin
  • ⅓ part simple syrup
  • ⅓ part fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ part water
  • 4 raspberries
  • Lemon wheel

Muddle raspberries in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients, and shake over ice. Strain into a small chilled rocks glass, and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Esprit de June: A delicate liqueur crafted from the vine flowers from the vineyards of Cognac, June’s feminine and floral flavor profile make it an ideal romantic cocktail ingredient for a Valentine’s cocktail – simply splash it in with Champagne and its makes for a very special Champagne cocktail!

ZU Vodka: Now available in the US, this bison grass flavored spirit was the spirit of choice for Polish royalty as they spent time hunting in the enchanted Bialowieza Forest. The classic way to drink ZU is simple – mixed half and half with apple juice. This drink is commonly called a “Polish Kiss”, and the name makes it perfect for the holiday.

Fall or Holiday Party Idea: Apple Tasting Party

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Today I have a fun twist on a holiday wine or cheese tasting party from, home entertaining expert Domenica Marchetti. Domenica suggests a fun (and healthy) twist on the wine and cheese pairing party. The author of Big Night In says, “Embrace the season’s bounty and involve the whole family: host an apple tasting!”

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea! There are so many wonderful apple varieties and flavors, and so many ways you can present them to your guests.

More than 2,500 apple varieties are grown in the United States, and about 20 are widely available nationwide, according to the U.S. Apple Association. “Yet, many consumers gravitate to the same two or three varieties,” she says. “An apple tasting can be a fun experience for your guests as they sample the range of flavors, textures and colors along the apple spectrum.”

Marchetti offers some great tips to help you host your apple tasting party:

  • Select three to six varieties, including sweet and tart. One suggested lineup: Golden Delicious, Gala, Jonagold, Braeburn, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
  • Line up each variety and identify them with a simple place card, then place sliced apples for sampling in front (provide utensils for safe handling). TIP: to prevent browning, dunk apple slices in vitamin C-fortified 100% apple juice.
  • Provide toasted walnuts as a palate-cleanser and tools for note-taking.
  • Have guests sample varieties individually. Challenge them to note unique characteristics, such as size and shape. Also discuss skin color, flesh firmness, and the apple’s aromas and juices. Finally, have them describe the flavor — sweet, tart, spicy, floral, etc. Perhaps one emerges as a favorite. TIP: For adults, refrain from drinking alcohol during the tasting as it will dull the taste buds.

Once all the apples have been sampled, showcase their versatility through creative pairings, from artisanal cheeses to sweet and savory spreads, Marchetti suggests.

“You may also choose to incorporate an assortment of delicious apple products,” she says. “Include apple butter as a bread dipper, or serve dried apples. And don’t forget to toast to your guests with a steaming cup of apple cider or an apple cocktail!”

See Marchetti’s suggested “Pairings and Simple Recipes,” or visit www.usapple.org for inspiration.

SOURCE U.S. Apple Association

Light Thanksgiving Recipes~ Turkey Cranberry Wraps

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If you’re looking for something lighter for your Thanksgiving meal this year, or maybe you’re serving lunch, and you don’t want everyone to leave feeling stuffed. Today I have the perfect recipe for a quick Thanksgiving luncheon, or light dinner meeting with friends. These Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps would also be perfect “finger food” for a baby or bridal shower. They’re a great alternative to sandwiches.

Many of your guests will appreciate the fresher flavors, and lighter feel of this delicious wrap recipe from Mission Menus.

The best part is this is such a simple recipe! Just layer everything in and wrap. I love easy fun recipes like this!

Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps
Ingredients:

  • 4 Mission Life Balance tortillas
  • 8 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
  • 4 tablespoons cranberry chutney
  • 4 tablespoons dried tart cherries
  • 8 slices or ounces turkey breast
  • 8 thin slices red onion
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce

Directions:

Lay each tortilla flat and coat each with 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chutney, 1 tablespoon dried tart cherries, 2 slices turkey, 2 slices onion, and 1/4 cup lettuce. Roll into a tight wrap and serve. Makes 4 wraps.

You could easily double or even triple this recipe, depending on how many guests will be there.

Image and recipe courtesy of Mission Menus

Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

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When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, don’t forget to include a dinner cocktail or two. Today I have a couple more yummy Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, courtesy of Blue Ice Vodka, the flavors combinations in these cocktails are all very fall, and holiday.

Maybe one of these can work as the signature cocktail at your Thanksgiving dinner bash.

This can be a great way to help out the party hostess, you can offer to pitch in with the cocktails for your contribution to the party. Just bring all the ingredients to mix up these Thanksgiving cocktails at your party destination.

These recipes can be great conversation starters, and your friends will be impressed that you came up with recipes so perfect for the fall season.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

  • 4 parts Blue Ice Vodka
  • 1 part DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup
  • Cinnamon Sugar

Add Blue Ice and Pumpkin Pie Syrup to a cocktail shaker, shake well and strain. Garnish with an orange slice and pour into a cocktail glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar

Chilled Pumpkin Latte

  • 1 ounce Blue Ice Vodka
  • ¾ ounce coffee liqueur
  • ¾ ounce DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup

Build over cubed ice in a 12- to 14-ounce Collins-style glass

All-American Chilled Apple Pie

  • 1 1/4 oz Blue Ice Vodka
  • 3/4 oz Tuaca Liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Sweet & Sour
  • Fill with Chilled Apple Cider

Build in order over ice in a 12 oz glass, garnish with a lemon slice, a long cinnamon stick, and a straw.

Don’t forget to remind your guests to always drink responsibly!

More fall inspired cocktail recipes for your Thanksgiving party:

Pumpkin Pie-tini

Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail

Images and recipes courtesy of  Blue Ice Vodka

Healthy Fall Party Recipes~ Roasted Acorn Squash

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The weather’s turning cooler, and that definitely puts me in the mood for fall flavors and entertaining.

I enjoy fall parties, because they’re usually cozier and slower paced than summer parties, I can also serve some of my favorite comfort foods to guests. If you’re looking for a recipe that for a cozy fall dinner party check out this recipe for roasted acorn squash. I love winter squash this time of year, it’s a comforting flavor.

This recipe is courtesy of Season 52 Restaurant. Their entire menu is created around a positive lifestyle, with natural cooking techniques, including open fire grilling. Yum!


Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

  • 1 ea Acorn squash
  • 12 spritz Extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • Pinch Black pepper, fresh ground

Procedure:

  1. Wash acorn squash in cold water.
  2. Cut squash in half.
  3. Scrape out all seeds with large kitchen spoon.
  4. Cut acorn squash into 4 wedges.
  5. Place wedges on a sheet tray.
  6. Spritz squash with extra virgin olive oil.
  7. Season squash with salt and pepper; stand squash cut-side up on tray.
  8. Roast in 425º oven for 40 – 45 minutes total.
  9. Spritz twice with olive oil during roasting and turn tray in oven.
  10. Remove from oven and brush squash with spiced cider glaze.

Serves: 4

Snack Mix For Your Fall Harvest Party

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It’s super fun to incorporate some of your favorite fall flavors into a quick and easy snack mix for your fall or Halloween party. Just throw this easy snack mix together into a large bowl, and set it out for your guests to enjoy. Here’s the recipe I like to use for a simple harvest or Halloween party snack mix.

Fall Harvest Snack Mix

Mix together:

  • 5 cups of Chocolate Chex(tm) Cereal
  • 1 bag Brachs(tm) Autumn Mix
  • 2 cups of lightly salted peanuts

You can also spread this mixture out on a cookie sheet, or waxed paper, and drizzle it with melted chocolate, or white chocolate. Let it cool, then break it apart.

Yum, I love sweet and salty snack mixes.

Check out more kid’s: Halloween Party Ideas

Using Gourds For Fall Party Decorating

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Today I have some fun ideas for you using one of my favorite (and low cost) fall decorating materials~ gourds. I love using gourds to decorate in the fall, and they make fabulous party decorations and centerpieces. You can use gourds several ways, either by themselves with other fall favorites.

Gourds are inexpensive, and come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. I think that’s why they’re so versatile for fall decorating.


Here are some ideas you can use to make simple party decorations featuring gourds:

  • Scatter them around the center of your tables, with a few miniature pumpkins and colorful fall leaves.
  • Put them in a basket together.
  • Paint faces on them, and make them fun for a kid’s party.
  • Place them around the base of potted mums.
  • Add them to a cornucopia.
  • Dry them and cut them out to use as serving bowls.
  • Mix fall flowers in with them for even more color and variety.

Gourds are so versatile, and since they’re also very affordable, especially if you grow your own.

Fall Cocktail~ Caramel Apple Pie

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I love the fall season! When it comes around I know it’s also apple season around here, time for apple pies, caramel apples, apple cake, everything apple sounds good this time of year! It’s also time to start thinking about those fall harvest parties, and planning what’s on the menu. Today I have a fabulous caramel apple pie cocktail recipe you can add to your fall harvest party or Halloween party menu, courtesy of Three Olives Vodka. Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail

  • 1 oz. 1800 Silver Tequila
  • ½ oz. butterscotch schnapps
  • 1 oz. apple cider
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice

Combine ingredients and shake well with ice, strain into martini glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

The Three Olives Vodka website has more cocktail recipes for your fall and holiday party planning.

You could plan your whole harvest party around apples, from the main dish, to dessert, decorations, and cocktails. If you know someone with an orchard rent it out for the day and hold your party there.

You might also want to check out the yummy Pumpkin-tini cocktail recipe I posted yesterday.

Don’t forget to always drink responsibly.