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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!

Summer Cookout Recipes~ Baked Potato Salad

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Potato salad is one of my all time summer favorites, so I’m always on the lookout for a new variation to try for spring and summer cookouts. This recipe is courtesy of the US Potato board, and I think it puts a great twist on the traditional potato salad recipe. I think I might have to give it a try at my next backyard bbq.

Baked Potato Salad
To save time, chop vegetables while potatoes are cooking. This salad may be served right away, but is best if refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Start to finish: About 30 minutes total
Cost per serving: $1.47

  • 1 1/2 lbs. red potatoes*
  • 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
  • 1/3 cup minced red onion
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced celery
  • 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
  • 3 tablespoons real bacon bits or pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  1. Place whole potatoes (do not poke) into microwave-safe dish. Cover dish. (If covering dish with plastic wrap, poke small hole in plastic.)
  2. Microwave on HIGH for 10 to 12 minutes depending on strength of microwave.
  3. Use oven mitts to remove dish from microwave; carefully remove cover from dish due to steam build-up and let cool.
  4. Cut potatoes into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl with remaining ingredients; stir well to mix. Makes 4 servings.

*Russets, yellow or white potatoes can be substituted, but make sure to peel skins off potatoes after cooking and cooling, but before tossing with remaining ingredients

Nutritional analysis per serving with skins:
Calories: 240, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 620mg, Potassium: 712mg, Carbohydrates: 41g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Protein: 11g, Vitamin A: 15%, Vitamin C: 50%, Calcium: 30%, Iron: 4%

Cinco De Mayo Tequila Cocktail Recipes

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I can’t believe it’s May already, and just a couple days away from Cinco De Mayo! The year has flown by so fast! If you’re still planning your Cinco De Mayo party, I have some yummy Cinco De Mayo tequila cocktail recipes to share with you today courtesy of Camarena Tequila. Enjoy!

Camarena Margarita

  • 1 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
  • 2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar

In a cocktail shaker combine all of the ingredients and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Silver Paloma

  • 2 oz Familia Camarena Silver Tequila
  • 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  • Splash of soda water

In a cocktail shaker combine all of the ingredients, except for the soda water, and add ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.

Corazón de Camarena

  • 2 oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
  • ½ cup strawberry simple syrup (*see recipe below)
  • 2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped roughly
  • Sliced strawberries

Place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pour in the tequila. Use the back of a spoon (or muddler) to mash the basil leaves into the tequila. Fill the shaker with ice and add strawberry simple syrup, lime juice and agave nectar. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Garnish with sliced strawberries on the rim and ribbons of basil mixed in the drink.

*Strawberry Simple Syrup Recipe: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 5 sliced strawberries in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Cool the syrup, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries to extract all liquid.

Camarena Santa Maria

  • 1 ½ oz Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
  • 1 oz white Port
  • ½ oz Velvet Falernum
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz ginger beer

In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients except ginger beer. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice, adding ginger beer as you pour. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

For more Cinco De Mayo and Mexican tequila cocktail inspiration and recipes beyond the margarita, visit www.tequilacamarena.com.

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

Guacamole Football Field

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With football in full swing, and everyone rooting for their favorite teams, I thought I’d share one of my favorite football party dips today. You can use this for your parties coming up for those college bowl games, or Superbowl party too. I’ll have some more football party and food ideas, and recipes coming up in the next few weeks!

Here’s a really cute idea from Wholly Guacamole.

Football season traditionally means tailgate time, play-off parties and a table of unhealthy dips loaded with calories–70 per tablespoon for spinach dip and a whopping 90 per tablespoon in buttermilk ranch. With Americans deriving an estimated 30 percent of their daily calories from outside traditional meals, the trend in party fare is to serve healthier options. At just 25 calories per tablespoon, adding pre-made, all-natural guacamole to the party line-up makes a game-time winner.

The Recipe:
Wholly Guacamole Gridiron Game Time Dip
Prep: 30 minutes

Ingredients
– 1 Tbsp butter
– ½ cup red bell pepper
– ½ cup onion, chopped
– 2, 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed / drained
– 2 tsp fresh chopped jalapeno peppers
– ½ tsp ground cumin
– 1 cup salsa
– 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
– 14 oz Wholly Guacamole
– ½ cup sour cream
– 1 bag tortilla chips

Instructions:
1. Melt butter in skillet; add peppers and onion. Cook over medium heat until onion is softened. (4 minutes). Stir in beans, jalapenos and cumin. Cook until heated.

2. Transfer 1 cup of bean mixture to a food processor, process until smooth. Return blended mixture to remaining mixture and stir to combine. Spread onto an 11×8 baking dish. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

3. Just before serving, layer over the bean mixture: salsa, cheese and top with Wholly Guacamole.

4. Spoon sour cream into resealable plastic bag. Snip off small corner and pipe sour cream lines over the guacamole to resemble yard markers on a football field.

Image and Guacamole recipe via Wholly Guacamole

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

Football Party Recipes: Buffalo Chicken Wings

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When football season comes around you’ve got to have some good wings. I love this recipe for Buffalo Chicken wings. You can use regular chicken wings, chicken breast strips or boneless chicken chunks to make them. I love making them with chicken breast strips, they’re fabulous!

I think I originally got this recipe from Emeril Live. I think I’ve made a couple tweaks to it since then (tweaked it a little to suit my own tastes). These wings make wonderful party appetizers right before or during the big game.


Buffalo Chicken Wings

  • 20 chicken wings (you can also use chicken breast strips, or boneless breaded chicken chunks), washed and patted dry.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 recipe buffalo wing dipping sauce, recipe follows
  • Blue Cheese, or Ranch dressing

Place chicken wings into a large, zip-top plastic bag. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour mixture to the plastic bag and toss with the wings to coat well.
Pour the chicken wings and excess flour onto a baking sheet and spread evenly. Allow the chicken to sit on a floured baking sheet to dry out for about 1 hour.
Preheat a large stockpot filled halfway with vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F.
Add chicken to hot oil and fry until cooked crispy and thoroughly cooked, about 10 to 13 minutes.
Place the wings on a large cookie sheet and drizzle with half of buffalo wing dipping sauce. Toss and coat well. Serve hot with the remaining dipping sauce and Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing.

Buffalo Wing Dipping Sauce

  • 1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s is great)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and set aside until your ready to use it.
Makes about 2 cups

They’re messy to eat, but delicious! I’ll have more tailgate party, football party and Superbowl party appetizers and finger food ideas to get you ready for your favorite teams big game.

Image via Stock.xchng

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