I still have some Thanksgiving cocktail recipes coming in to share with you. So if you haven’t found that perfect Thanksgiving cocktail yet for your celebration keep an eye out here. I’ll have at least one more post of them after today.

I also have a fun interview with someone from The Food Network, more Thanksgiving recipes, and a giveaway, so stay tuned!

You can tell your guests your Thanksgiving signature drink is a Mayflower Martini, or a Pilgrim Toddy. How fun is that?

The Mayflower Martini

• 1.5 oz. of Rhum Clément Première Canne
• .5 oz. of Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb
• 1 oz. of Cranberry juice
• Purée of half of a golden pear
• Powdered cinnamon

Method: In mixing glass filled with ice, stir Rhum Clément Première Canne and Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb with cranberry juice and allow to sit for 30 seconds. Rim the cocktail glass with the powdered cinnamon and pour the purée of the pear in the bottom of the glass. Slowly pour the cocktail over the back of a spoon onto the purée of the pear.

photo/recipe Rhum Clement

The Pilgrim Toddy

• 2 oz. of Rhum Clément V.S.O.P. Rum
• .75 oz. of Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb
• 1 cup apple cider
• A Cinnamon Stick
• 4 whole cloves
• A piece of lemon peel
• A small pat of butter

Method: Warm the cider until it almost reached the boiling point and pour just a 12oz cup of the cider into the mug or glass. Add Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb, the cloves and stir with the cinnamon stick. Fill the rest of the mug or glass with Rhum Clément V.S.O.P. Rum and top off the rest with cider. Garnish with a pat of butter and some freshly grated nutmeg.

Fall Breeze:
From Courvoisier Exclusif

• 1.5 oz Courvoisier Exclusif
• 2 Fresh Strawberries
• .5 oz Simple Syrup
• .5 oz DeKuper Pomegranate
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz Apple Cider

Method: Muddle strawberries and simple syrup in a shaker. Fill shaker with ice. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously to incorporate. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and Garnish with an apple slice.

Maple Fig
From Tuthilltown Spirits

• 1.5 oz Hudson 4 Grain Bourbon
• 1 oz Fig Puree
• .75 oz Maple Syrup
• .25 oz Balsamic vinegar

Method: Combine all ingredients in a glass-mixing pint. Stir well. Strain into a chilled Garnish: fig wedge

Red Apple

• 1.5 oz Spirit of the Hudson Vodka
• 1 oz Apple Juice
• .5 oz fresh lemon juice
• .5 oz grenadine
• 1 dash orange bitters

Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

Proper Martini
From G’Vine Gin

• 2.5 oz G’Vine Nouaison Gin
• .5 oz Dry Vermouth

Method: Combine all ingredients in a glass mixing pint. Stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Always remind your guests to drink responsibly.

Many holiday parties are casual affairs with a few friends over to catch up on old times, have a good time with co-workers, or to catch a football game with some buddies. For those occasions it’s easier to make some snacks to let your guests nibble at while they’re chatting, or viewing.
Chips and dip are great, but why kick the standard chips and dip up a notch or two by making your own, and giving it a twist? Today I have a yummy mango dip recipe for you from Mission Menus.
It won’t take you long to throw together, and …read more

The holidays are the toughest time of the year to maintain your weight and keep overeating in check, especially if you’re the one entertaining. I know I struggle every year through the holidays. I love all the holiday parties, food, and getting together with friends and family. The only problem is after the holidays are over I don’t enjoy the extra 5 pounds that usually sneak up when I’m not paying attention.
oday I have some tips to help you get through the holiday parties and gatherings this year without feeling guilty on the food front. These great tips are from …read more

I have a fun and easy appetizer to share with you today. I love to make these for casual holiday parties, like the book club getting together, or a holiday gathering of friends. These little finger food sized taco tartlets are also fun to munch on during a football party, when your favorite team is in one of the college bowls coming up, or the playoffs.
I got some coupons for some Nasoya Wonton Wrappers, and they make the perfect crust for this easy taco appetizer.

Wonton Taco Tartlet Appetizer Recipe

1 lb of gound beef
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic
36 …read more

Today I have some more yummy holiday cocktail recipes to share, these recipes would work great for your Thanksgiving dinner, or any holiday party. The recipes are courtesty of mixologist Deborah Harris from New York’s trendy Harbour Restaurant.
These cocktail recipes have all the flavors of the season. I’m a big fan of egg nog and of gingerbread this time of year, so I can’t wait to give a couple of these a try. Add in the cranberry and nutmeg flavors, and I’m sure these will be a big hit for any holiday party.

Maple Cinnamon Nog:
A combination of Bourbon, clove & …read more

Today I have a guest post for you from Jes Gordon author of the rockin’ party planning book, “Party Like a Rockstar.” Jes is a party planner for many celebrities and she totally knows how to throw a killer party.
Today Jes is accepting the challenge to plan a party for under $100, and to share her favorite tips with She Knows Parties readers. I hope you enjoy her tips as much as I have. These are great tips to help you plan your holiday party on a budget, or any other party throughout the year.

A fabulous house party – décor, …read more

The traditional way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey is baked and basted in the oven for several hours. Today I have a few more turkey cooking ideas for you. Some of them involve the oven, but  others involve other cooking methods that will still yield you a delicious turkey on your Thanksgiving dinner table.

If you’re in charge of the turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner feast, here are a few ideas to cook it to perfection.

One of our favorite ways to cook our Thanksgiving turkey is on the grill, yep grilled turkey is loaded with flavor, and delicious.
Along the same idea, …read more

I got to try a sample of Tillen Farms Merry Maraschino Cherries, and I have to say they are delicious! Tillen farms also sent me some recipes, and I have a few of my own ideas for recipes to use these wonderful cherries. I’ll be back in a day or two to share some recipes and a review, but today I have a fun new giveaway for you.

Tillan Farms wants to offer 5 She Knows Parties readers a chance to try out a jar of Merry Maraschino Cherries for themselves. The price of a 14oz jar of Merry Maraschino Cherries …read more

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, you might want to include a cocktail or two. Today I have a couple more yummy Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, from Blue Ice Vodka, these flavors combinations are all very fall, and holiday. Maybe one of these can work as the signature cocktail at your holiday bash.
Even if you’re not the party hostess, you can offer to pitch in with the cocktails for your contribution to the party. These recipes can be great conversation starters, and your friends will be impressed that you came up with recipes so perfect for the holiday.
Blue Ice Pumpkin Pie …read more

Have your champagne and your turkey too. I love to experiment with different flavors and combinations when I’m cooking turkey. Today I have a recipe for you from Foster Farms for a turkey basted in champagne. Don’t worry, you don’t have to use the whole bottle. You can save a little savor while you’re cooking.
Recipes you can prepare ahead work great for Thanksgiving day, then you can relax and mingle with your family and friends when they arrive, they’ll just think you’re super human (don’t tell them otherwise).

A bottle of champagne is the secret to the moist turkey recipe below, …read more