Get Into The Holiday Spirit with My Favorite Festive Cocktail Recipes

If it's one thing about the holiday season, it's that I look forward to all the fun festive cocktails that come out of Winter Wonderland that have been in hiding all year long!!! Is there nothing better that spiked egg nog or that hint of peppermint in your cocktail? Like many other people, the holidays often seem to lose their sparkle as the years go on. I hate for that to happen, so if Christmas cocktails are one of the few things to keep the magic of the season alive every year, I am ALL for it!!! Here are a few of my favorites that I know I'll be sipping on in the next few weeks despite the weather being 80 degrees here in LA every day. That 50 degree night chill totally justifies getting cozy and cuddling up with one of these! I think I have become a little TOO adjusted to this west coast weather! ;) Cheers! 

TRULY EGG NOG

Created by Natasha David, Nitecap

Ingredients: 

1 oz. Spiced Rum
1 oz. Vanilla Almond Milk
1 tsp. Stevia Powder
1 Egg White
4 oz. Truly Spiked & Sparkling Colima Lime
Grated Nutmeg

Directions:
Combine spiced rum, vanilla almond milk, stevia powder and egg white in a cocktail shake. Begin by shaking without ice to incorporate all ingredients. Next, add ice to the cocktail shaker and continue to shake. Strain the liquid into a  Collins glass without ice and top with Truly Spiked & Sparkling Colima Lime. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

WINTER ROSE

Created by: Nick Mautone

Ingredients:

2 oz Haikara Yuzu or Haikara Momo
½ oz rum
1 oz Lime Juice
Dash of Simple Syrup
Dash of Rose Water
Dash of Lavender Bitters
Ginger Ale for topping

Cranberries or orange peel (for garnish)

Directions:
Add all ingredients, except ginger ale, to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat.
Strain into rocks glass. Top with Ginger Ale and garnish.

BACARDi GINGER SNAP

Ingredients:

1 part BACARDÍ Superior or BACARDÍ Gold Rum

2 parts Ginger Ale

1 lime wedge

Method:

 Fill a tall highball glass with ice. Pour BACARDI Superior or Gold into glass. Add ginger ale, and gently stir before serving. Garnish with a lime wedge (optional: dash of bitters).  

WINTER WHITE 75

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

.5 oz. Simple Sugar

1 oz. White Cranberry Juice

Champagne to top

Garnish: Rosemary and Cranberry sprig dusted with powdered sugar

Directions:

Fill shaker with NOLET’S, lemon juice, simple syrup, white cranberry juice and 1 cup of ice

Shake hard to chill and combine ingredients

Fine strain into coupe or flute

Top with champagne

Garnish with rosemary cranberry sprig

CANDY CANE KORBEL

Created by Jeremy Oertel

Ingredients:

1 oz. White Crème de Cacao

4 oz. Korbel California Brut

White Chocolate, melted

Peppermint Candy Cane, crushed

TOPSY TURVY

Ingredients:

2 oz Carpano Antica

1 oz Lock Stock & Barrel Rye

1 tsp. Borghetti Coffee Liqueur

1 dash Mole Bitters (preferably Bittermens)

Directions:

Stir, Strain

Glass: Nick & Nora

Garnish: Orange Twist

BAHAMA BREEZE COQUITO

Ingredients:

4 oz. Castillo Silver Rum

6 oz. evaporated milk

6.5 oz. coconut milk

5 oz. sweetened condensed milk

1 oz. Coco Lopez, Cream of Coconut

1/8 tsp. cinnamon, ground

1 cup of ice

Directions:

Combine the rum, cream of coconut, evaporated milk, coconut milk and condensed milk in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake and strain into four chilled martini glasses, and garnish with cinnamon.

Recipe serves four.

A Beachy Christmas with Seagram's Escapes | Holiday Cocktail Recipes

The holiday season is finally here! I don't know about you, but I am always craving a holiday in the sun! There's nothing like laying on a beach with a tropical cocktail in hand basking in the warmth. Whether you're able to escape or not, luckily there is a way to bring the beachy holiday vacation to you at home: with Seagram's Escapes! 

Seagram's Escapes offers so many different flavors that are festive and colorful - perfect to add some tropical flair to your holiday celebrations! Maybe you have a home by the beach, or perhaps you are throwing a beachy Christmas party with friends and family... Here are my holiday cocktail recipes I've created using Seagram's Escapes that will have you trading decking the halls, for decking the palms!

Deck The Palm Tree

Ingredients:

4oz Seagram's Escapes Blueberry Acai Lemonade

2oz Vodka

Splash of Lemon Juice

Garnish with fresh berries

 

Santa’s Trip To The South Pole

Ingredients:

4oz Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Happy

2oz Tequila

Splash of Lime Juice

Holiday In The Sun

Ingredients:

Seagram’s Escapes Peach Fuzzy Navel

Champagne

 Directions:

Fill a champagne glass half way up with champagne

Fill the remainder of the glass with Seagram’s Escapes Peach Fuzzy Navel

Santa’s Mermaid Water

Ingredients:

1 Bottle Seagram’s Escapes Calypso Colada

4oz Coconut Rum

24oz Pineapple Juice

Fresh Pineapple Wedge

Frozen Coconut Chunks

Seas and Greetings

Ingredients:

4oz.  Seagram’s Escapes Wild Berries

2oz.  Sparkling Wine

Mixed berries for garnish

I’m Dreaming of a Beachy Christmas

Ingredients:

4oz Seagram’s Escapes Strawberry Daiquiri

2oz Vodka

2oz Lemon/Lime soda or Seltzer

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Photography by: Rebecca Gnasso

Beach Decor by: Candy's Cottage

My Favorite Far-From-Basic Pumpkin Cocktails

I can't even lie one bit. I. LOVE. anything. PUMPKIN. Yes, I am yelling it!!! Like... why is it so good? It's probably hands down my favorite thing about fall. Pumpkin flavored food and lattes are one thing, but when it comes to pumpkin flavored cocktails... man, you've really got my attenion. I don't know about you, but I'd trade my usual tequila soda with 3 limes any day for a spiked pumpkin concoction.  But where does one find a really amazing pumpkin cocktail? In Las Vegas, New Jersey and Florida. Well, maybe other places too but I think they've got some of the best. Here are my favorite far-from-basic pumpkin cocktails from some fun bars and restaurants around the country, with recipes so you could make at home! Which one would you try? I'm thinking I am going to end my night with a sip of all four of these...!

Smashing Your Pumpkin

Available at: Felt & Blossom (MGM National Harbor)

½ oz. Cruzan Aged Light Rum

½ oz. Kappa Pisco

½ oz. Daron Fine Calvados

3 oz. Spiced Pumpkin Cordial

1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

½ oz. Egg Whites (Add After First Shake For Reverse Dry Shake)

Build: Add all ingredients into mixing tin, except the egg whites! Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain back into mixing tin and discard ice. Now add egg whites and reverse dry shake for 20 seconds. Pour over ice.

Ice: Chipped

Glass: Crystal Etched Hi Ball

Garnish: Graham Cracker, Cinnamon Stick, Cinnamon Sugar

Hey Pumpkin

Photo Credit: Tanya Isaeva 

Available at: South House (Jersey City, NJ)

Created by: Smitty

Ingredients: 

2.oz Slow & Low Rock & Rye Whiskey

.75 aquafaba 

.75 espresso pumpkin spice syrup

.75 Lemon juice 

Strike The Gold

Available at: Odd Bird (St. Augustine, FL)

Created by: Nick Hogan

Ingredients:

3/4 oz Fernet-Branca

3/4 oz Templeton Rye

1 1/2 oz Spiced Pumpkin Syrup

1/4 oz of Creme Yvette

Whole Egg

Top with Brancamenta Whipped Cream

Grated Nutmeg & Garnish with Star Anise

Directions: 

Add all ingredients into tin, shake, strain into cocktail glass, top with whipped cream, grate fresh nutmeg over top, sip slowly and enjoy!Due to different variables between coconut milk and pumpkin purées that when making the cocktail it should be done to taste

Spiced Pumpkin Syrup: 

One can organic Pumpkin. One can of organic coconut milk. 1/2 cup of brown sugar. 3/4 oz of pimento liqueur (allspice liqueur). Simmer in sauce pan for 10 minutes, let cool then strain through cheese cloth.

Brancamenta Whipped Cream:

Combine half pint of heavy whipping cream with 1 oz of Brancamenta and 2 oz of simple syrup into iSi whipper, charge and store in refrigerator until ready for use.

HARVEST MOON

Available at: Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca, Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar,

Libre Mexican Cantina, The Still Crafts, Drafts & Eats (All in VEGAS, baby!)

*Recipe can be mixed with multiple spirits

Ingredients:

*¾ OZ. Hennessy VSOP Cognac and ¾ oz. Plantation 5yr Rum - Bottiglia Cucina & Enoteca

*1 ½ OZ. HILHAVEN LODGE BLENDED AMERICAN WHISKEY - Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

*1 ½ OZ. Casamigas Reposado Tequila - Libre Mexican Cantina

*1 ½ OZ. GEORGE DICKEL RYE WHISKY - The Still Crafts, Drafts & Eats

½ OZ. ANCHO REYES ANCHO LIQUEUR

½ OZ. Benedictine

¼ OZ. Agave Syrup (1:1 RATIO)

2 OZ. LIBBEY’S PumpkinPie Purre

1 OZ. Carrot Juice (ODWALLA)

BUILD: Shake & Double Strain

GLASS: Martini Couple

GARNISH: Coconut Foam, Chopped Diced Pecan

COCONUT FOAM - (PER ISI DISPENSER)

200G Coconut Milk

200G Savoy Coconut Cream

100G Sweetend CondensedMilk

20G Sugar

Directions:

Mix all ingredients into a 2QT. cambro. Then, add the mixed coconut base into isi dispenser. Next, charge isi dispenser with isi nitrous oxide whip cream charger. Shake vigorously, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

Better than Witches Brew | Hauntingly Good Halloween Cocktails

I love a good spook... especially during October! Anything that could help me get into the Halloween vibe, I am all for... and I am all about festive concoctions! With Halloween being right around the corner, I have a few creepy cocktails to imbibe this October!

A worthy treat for adults, the these cocktails are not for the faint of heart, making them perfect for your Halloween festivities.

BACARDÍ Zombie

Ingredients:

2 parts BACARDÍ Superior

1.75 parts BACARDÍ Gold

1 part Triple Sec

2 parts orange juice

1 part lime juice

 1 part simple syrup

 0.25 part Grenadine

 Garnish: Orange Slice & Cherry

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into a shaker full of ice and shake vigorously. Strain and pour into a highball glass filled with ice. Stir with a bar spoon and garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

Additionally, the BACARDÍ Zombie will be available for purchase throughout the month of October via Cocktail Courier – linked HERE.

THE DARKSIDE

Ingredients:

1½ oz. Nemiroff Original Vodka

2 oz. Black Currant Juice

½ oz. Chartreuse

Stir ingredients with ice, and strain into a chilled martini glass 

Directions:

Mix!

BROCKMANS BLACK & GOLD

Ingredients:

2 oz. Brockmans Gin

0.5 oz. Drambuie

1 oz. Lemon Juice

.75 oz. Honey and Heather Syrup

2.5 oz. Pineapple Juice

3 Drops of Black Food Coloring

Directions:

Shake all ingredients and serve over cubed ice into a Hurricane Glass.

Apply one spray of edible gold glitter to the top half of the glass to stand out against the black food coloring. Garnish with a lemon wedge fan.

CASA CRAZY EYE

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila

2 oz. Lychee liqueur

.25 oz. Fresh lemon juice

4 Basil leaves

½ Thick rim of salt, sugar, oreo cookie crumbs* (equal parts)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Muddle herbs. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 12-15
seconds. Fine strain into small martini glass. Garnish luxardo cherry inside lychee ball (as eye ball) through skewer.

*To add sugar, salt, oreo rim – Wet rim of glass with lime wedge and agave nectar and roll rim through mixture.

SMOKIN’ HEAD CAESAR

Ingredients:

2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka

5 oz. Clamato (Caesar) or tomato juice (Bloody Mary)

dash of Worcestershire sauce

dash of hot sauce

[ny dash of liquid smoke

garnish of your choice

Ingredients for Rim Garnish:

1⁄4 tsp. salt

1⁄4 tsp. pepper

1⁄2 tsp. smoked paprika

Cachaça Zombie

Created by Jane Danger, Mother of Pearl NYC

Ingredients:

1 oz Novo Fogo Chameleon Cachaça

 1 oz Novo Fogo Tanager Cachaça

0.25 oz Giffard Triple Sec

0.75 oz lime juice 

0.5 oz orange juice

0.5 oz passionfruit syrup

1 dash Scrappy’s Aromatic Bitters

1 dash absinthe

Directions:

Shake, pour over crushed ice into a tiki mug

Last Minute Festive 4th of July Cocktails for Parties

Independence Day has always been my favorite holiday ever since I was a little girl! I've had somewhat of an obsession with history and the Revolutionary War era since probably 3rd grade. Every year, I love to celebrate the fourth in the most festive way possible. One of the most fun ways is to turn an average drink into a patriotic cocktail.

Here are my two favorites that I'll be making with my friends this 4th of July... they're perfect for a chill night in the backyard watching fireworks, or for a big party!

As the wise Lana Del Rey once said, "Be young, be dope, be proud... like an American."

Firecracker Martini

Ingredients:

3 parts elit Vodka

Garnish of raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion

Directions:

Pour elit into a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a raspberry, blueberry and pearl onion.

 

Independence Day

Ingredients:

1 Liter Casamigos Blanco

17 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

17 Strawberries (not including strawberries for garnish)

17 Whole Blackberries (not including blackberries for garnish)

10 oz. Sugarcane Syrup (Simple Syrup)

Directions:

Peel and slice kiwis into cubes, blend strawberries and kiwis until liquefied. Strain into punch bowl. Add other ingredients and stir in 3-4 medium scoops of block ice and cool. Garnish with blackberries and thin strawberry slices. Stir before each serving.