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 & cinnamon infused maple syrup, spiced rum, egg white, and a dash of cream for a smooth and creamy, yet light, cocktail nog

• 1 oz Bourbon
• 1/2 oz Spiced rum
• about 3/4 tbsp clove & cinnamon infused maple syrup
• 1/2 egg white
• cream to taste

In a shaker combine the bourbon, infused maple syrup, spiced rum, egg white and cream with ice. Shake until frothy. Strain into a snifter and top with grated nutmeg and a cinnamon stick

To infuse maple syrup add 6 fresh cinnamon sticks and a palmful of cloves to a fresh maple syrup. Refrigerate. Syrup will be ready to use in 24 hours.

Ginger Spice:

Cranberry vodka, poured over fresh muddled ginger and sugar, shaken with ice and topped with cranberry juice. A tantalizing, tongue tingling treat

• 4 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 5 fresh cranberries (optional)
• 1 bar spoon raw sugar
• 1.5 oz cranberry or orange vodka
• about 5 oz cranberry juice

Muddle the fresh ginger and cranberries with the raw sugar in a shaker. Add ice, vodka and cranberry juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with paper thin slice of fresh ginger

Pumpkin Pie:

Pumpkin butter, spiced rum, cinnamon, powdered sugar and an egg white, shaken and served up with a chestnut and a dollop of whipped cream.

• 3 heaping spoons of Pumpkin butter
• 3 oz spiced rum
• 1/2 egg white
• ground cinnamon
• powdered sugar
• chestnut
• whipped cream

Combine the pumpkin butter, rum, egg white, and a pinch of cinnamon & powdered sugar in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the chestnut and a dollop of whipped cream.

As always pleas make sure you remind your guests to drink responsibly.

Images Harbour Restaurant

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This yummy cocktail would be perfect for a fall harvest or Halloween party. Make a whole pitcher to shake and pour in your guests’ glasses as they arrive.  It’s sure to be a big hit.

The crème de cacao, vanilla, and pumpkin flavors sound like a wonderful fall flavor combination. Yum!

Pumpkin Pie-tini

• 1 oz. milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 ½ oz. Three-O Vanilla vodka
• 1 ½ oz. crème de cacao

Using a small amount of honey, rim martini glass with graham cracker crumbs.

Shake milk and pumpkin puree over ice to combine. Pour in remaining ingredients and shake well. Strain into the martini glass.

I’ll be back later to round up more fall and Halloween party cocktail ideas and reipes. Don’t forget to remind your guests to drink responsibly.

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It’s a month long celebration of  the culture, traditions and achievements of Americans who trace their roots back to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

To plan your own Hispanic Heritage celebration tap in to the lively songs, vibrant art, traditional dances and delicious Hispanic recipes and drinks. Think of the culture and the people to help you create a party loaded with authentic fun.

Start with these easy cocktail recipes.

Korbel Sangria de Alegria

• 1/2 cup Korbel California Brandy
• 1 bottle Kenwood Vineyards Red Table Wine
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 liter club soda
• 20 slices of fruit (oranges, lemons and limes)

Combine Korbel Brandy, Kenwood Red Table Wine, triple sec, sugar and fruit slices. Refrigerate for four or more hours.
Add club soda, stir and serve.

Korbel Brandy ‘Rita

• 1 oz. of Korbel California Brandy
• 1 oz. Tuaca
• 1 oz. triple sec
• 3 oz. sweet and sour mix
• squeeze of lime

Combine ingredients over ice in a margarita glass or blend for a frozen version. Salt or sugar on the rim is optional. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Don’t forget to celebrate responsibly!

Image: Newscom

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Caramel Apple Pie

• 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.

Don’t forget to always drink responsibly.

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Here are three yummy sangria cocktail pitcher recipes from Leblon Cachaça.

Sangrias Blanco

3 oz. Leblon Cachaça
3 oz. pisco
3 oz. elderflower liqueur
6 oz. white cranberry juice
6 oz. semi sweet white wine
1 oz. fresh lime juice
3 oz. soda water

Directions:
Fill half of the pitcher with ice. Add the ingredients and stir well. Garnish with slices of limes, apples, cucumbers, kiwi, sage leaves star fruit and green grapes if available.

Traditional Sangria

4 oz. Leblon Cachaça
2 oz. brandy
2 oz. orange liqueur
3 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. fresh lemon juice
8 oz. red wine
3 tbsp. white sugar
3 oz. soda water
Sliced lemon, orange and pineapple

Directions:

In a pitcher, add the fruit, sugar and juices. Stir well. Fill half the pitcher with ice, add the remaining ingredients and stir well again.

Tangerine Passion

3 oz. Leblon Cachaça
2 oz. Aperol
2 oz. triple sec
6 oz. fresh tangerine juice
2 oz. passion fruit juice
6 oz. Champagne
Directions:
Fill half of the pitcher with ice. Add all the ingredients over the ice and stir.

Do you have a signature cocktail that you make for summer parties, and backyard barbecues?

Make sure you remind your guests to drink responsibly, and never drink and drive!

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Watermelon Hornijo

Ingredients:
2 oz Hornitos Reposado
2 tsp sugar
6-8 mint leaves
Club soda
1 lime, halved
4 ounces fresh watermelon
Mint sprig for garnish

Directions: In a large glass, combine mint, lime, and sugar. Using a muddler, mash together mint and lime until sugar is dissolved. Add watermelon, and muddle until broken down. Stir in Hornitos Reposado and ice cubes, and garnish with mint sprig.

Enjoy!

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They say that “ginger may help prevent cancer halting abnormal cell growth”. It also only has about 150 calories per serving. You know what though? I think I would try this drink if it had 1000 calories per serving! It sounds delicious! Here’s the recipe and directions for you:

1/2 cup chopped fresh ginger

2/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. Chinese five spice powder

3 Tbsp. chopped crystallized ginger

8 whole star anise

1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne or sparkling wine

Bring ginger, 2/3 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup water a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer; cook until liquid thickens to maple syrup consistency, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool. Strain syrup; discard ginger. Combine Chinese five-spice powder and remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar on a shallow plate. Moisten rim of Champagne flutes with water and dip in sugar. Drop 1 tsp crystallized ginger and 1 star anise into each glass. Add 1 Tbsp syrup and about 3 oz. Champagne.

This makes a beautiful drink and one I think your guests will enjoy. Also, if you are not familiar with Chinese five-spice powder, here’s a recipe for it and you can make it yourself.

Let me know if you make this and how it turns out!

Image source: Set of 12 Champagne Flutes 5-1/2-ounce Glasses

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