cheers to the holiday season

as we begin to pack our belongings for our thanksgiving day travels, i search for the perfect cocktail to truly celebrate time with my family. my brother and sister-in-law always go above and beyond on the "fun" preparation, so i wanted to be sure to make a special treat this time.

here are a couple of the finalists...

berry little cocktail

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 ounce Charbay ruby red grapefruit vodka
2 ounces Champagne
1 ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce black currant juice

Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, dissolve sugar into 1 1/2 cups water. Add cranberries and simmer for 5 minutes, or until softened. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain, discard liquid, and place cranberries on a tray in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Chill vodka, Champagne, and juices, then mix in a champagne glass. Garnish with skewer of 4 or 5 frozen candied cranberries. Reserve the rest for another drink.
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Berry Little Cocktail - Martha Stewart Recipes

Top Pumpkin Cocktail: Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

1.5 oz. Pear-infused vodka (We used Absolut Pear Vodka)
1.0 oz. Pumpkin puree
0.3 oz. Cointreau
0.2 oz. Simple syrup
Splash of bitters
Nutmeg
Cinnamon

Preparation

Pour all contents in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake thoroughly. Pour drink in a Cosmo glass straight up. Garnish with nutmeg and cinnamon.