Category Archives: Fall & Thanksgiving

Spiced Guava Punch

Posted on December 15, 2012 | Comments Off

Holiday parties, open house events and spur of the moment informal gatherings call for quantity and quality cocktails for guests. Be prepared for the unexpected impromptu gathering by keeping a make ahead party punch chilled and ready to pour.

Spiced Guava Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-750ml bottle Guava Rum

6 ounces Spiced Rum

12 ounces Lemon Juice

8 ounces Velvet Falernum

8 ounces Brown Sugar Syrup

3 ounces Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

15 ounces Water

Brut Champagne

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all ingredients except champagne in large container. Stir. Refrigerate several hours until ready to serve. Serve from punch bowl or pitcher in rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist. Spiced Guava Punch can be topped with Club Soda rather than champagne. – This recipe will fit into 3 empty standard size 750ml bottles which takes up less space than most pitchers. Save empty liquor bottles. Strip off labeling. Use the bottle for an easy pour and serve option for your next gathering.

I used Cruzan Rum since it was already in my liquor cabinet. Use whichever brand you usually purchase or have on hand.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving, Halloween Cocktails

Tagged Almond Syrup, Brown Sugar Syrup, Champagne, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Guava Rum, Holiday, Orgeat, Punch, Spiced Guava Punch, Spiced Rum, Velvet Falernum

Bountiful Harvest

Posted on December 14, 2012 | Comments Off

Planning drinks for your holiday party shouldn’t leave you frazzled. Though the holidays are a happy, joyous time, they often bring stress for those trying to reach festive perfection. Bountiful Harvest brings versatility to the holiday season with single serve or holiday punch options. Mix. Chill. Relax.

Bountiful Harvest – created by Cheri Loughlin

6-3/4 ounce Ginger Vodka

4-1/2 ounce Caramel Apple Liqueur

13-1/2 ounce Cranberry Juice

Lime Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in pitcher. Stir. Chill. Serve in rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime twist. – This recipe will fit into an empty standard size 750ml bottle which takes up less space than most pitchers. Save an empty liquor bottle. Strip off labeling. Use the bottle for an easy pour and serve option for your next gathering.

Single Serve Option: 1-1/2 ounce Ginger Vodka, 1 ounce Caramel Apple Liqueur, 2-3/4 ounce Cranberry Juice, Lime Twist Garnish. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime twist. OR build in large rocks glass over fresh ice.

I used Yazi Ginger Vodka and Hiram Walker Caramel Apple Liqueur while creating this cocktail.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving, Halloween Cocktails

Tagged Bountiful Harvest, Caramel Apple Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Ginger Vodka, Punch

Pear Daiquiri

Posted on November 30, 2012 | Comments Off

Spiced rum gives this Pear Daiquiri a delicious fall to winter season spin with its hint of warming. No need to give up on the summer daiquiri when cooler temps settle in.

Pear Daiquiri – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Spiced Rum

1/2 ounce Pear Liqueur

3/4 ounce Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with thin slice pear dipped in allspice and sugar if desired.

I used Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum & Belle de Brillet Pear Liqueur while creating this cocktail.

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Posted in Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Belle de Brillet Liqueur, Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum, Daiquiri, Fresh Lime, Pear Daiquiri, Pear Liqueur, Simple Syrup, Spiced Rum

Fernandito

Posted on November 28, 2012 | Comments Off

Fernandito is a wonderful choice for winter sipping and holiday parties. Cranberry adds a nice festive feel to the glass with warming touches of spiced rum.

Fernandito – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Spiced Rum

1 ounce Cranberry Juice

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Lime Juice

Lime Wheel Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with floated lime wheel.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Cranberry Juice, Fernandito, Fresh Lime, Holiday, Orange Juice, Spiced Rum

Canteen

Posted on November 27, 2012 | Comments Off

Care to fill your flask?

Canteen – adaption by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Spiced Rum

1-1/2 ounce Southern Comfort

1/4 ounce Amaretto

1/4 ounce Lime Juice

1/8 ounce Simple Syrup

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Option: Strain into rocks glass over ice.

I used Black Beard Spiced Rum while creating this cocktail.

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Posted in Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Amaretto, Black Beard Spiced Rum, Canteen, Fresh Lime, Simple Syrup, Southern Comfort, Spiced Rum

Barefoot Midnight Memento

Posted on November 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

After dinner cocktails during the fall and winter months are an excellent way to relax and reminisce with friends and family. Barefoot Midnight Memento easily combines into late night sipping cocktail with fruit cake nutty sweetness.

Barefoot Midnight Memento – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon

1/2 measure Crème de Cacao

1/2 measure Cherry Liqueur

Combine liquids in snifter glass. Optional garnish: Single brandied cherry skewered and placed across top of snifter glass.

Cocktail Recipe and Photo commissioned by Barefoot Wine & Bubbly

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Posted in Corporate Mixology, Fall & Thanksgiving, Wine Cocktails

Tagged Barefoot Midnight Memento, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Cherry Liqueur, Corporate Mixology, Creme de Cacao, Holiday, Wine

Doña Elena’s Apple Pie

Posted on November 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of fresh apple pie baking when summer weather turns to fall. Warm, spicy cinnamon notes tickle at the nose making the tongue water for the comforting flavors of home cooked goodness. Doña Elena’s Apple Pie quenches your comfort food thirst without the lingering time of baking. Cinnamon and sugar rim garnish gives this cocktail a boost of spicy sweet flavor reminiscent of apple pie.

Doña Elena’s Apple Pie – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Camarena Silver Tequila

1-1/2 measure Apple Juice

1/2 measure Amaretto

1/4 measure Lime Juice

Dash Cinnamon

Cinnamon & Sugar Rim Garnish

Rim chilled cocktail glass with lime. Dip edge of glass in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Set aside. Combine liquids and dash of cinnamon in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared glass.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

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Posted in Corporate Mixology, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Amaretto, Apple Juice, Camarena Tequila, Corporate Mixology, Dona Elena's Apple Pie, Fresh Lime, National Apple Pie Day, Tequila

Mexican Holiday

Posted on November 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Mexican Holiday utilizes the flavors of fall with cranberry, orange and spices usually reserved for delicious baked goods. The use of flavorful, easily prepared syrups keeps cocktails freshly flavored and interesting. Mexican Holiday is wonderful for fall, but transitions easily to summertime sipping with lemon wheel garnish and use of Camarena Silver Tequila instead.

Mexican Holiday – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Camarena Reposado Tequila

1-1/2 measure Cranberry Juice

1/2 measure Spiced Orange Syrup*

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Combine liquids in rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with cinnamon stick to stir.

*Spiced Orange Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

Zest of 1 Orange

10 to 12 Whole Cloves

1 heaping tablespoon Whole Allspice

3/4 cup water

1-1/2 cup Cane Sugar

Place all ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Strain. Discard zest and spices. Refrigerate syrup.

Cocktail Recipe commissioned by Camarena Tequila Representatives

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Corporate Mixology, Fall & Thanksgiving

Tagged Camarena Tequila, Corporate Mixology, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lemon, Holiday, Mexican Holiday, Orange Syrup, Tequila

Review: Hiram Walker Caramel Apple Liqueur

Posted on November 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

30 Proof / 15% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $10 to $14 range depending on location

Tasting Notes

Color: Light gold with pumpkin orange highlights

Aroma: Smells like a caramel apple; go figure. Apple notes – white flesh of Honey Crisp apple with faint tartness of Granny Smith apple. Caramel is light rather than overly honeyed. Reminds of silky smooth caramel found in center of gooey caramel covered chocolate candies.

Tasted Neat: Extremely sweet. Almost like straight flavored melted sugar. Lots of apple notes. No burn. Just sweetness of apple. No tart or zing. More honey overlaying the caramel inclusion.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: My first thought was Mother’s Apple Pie liqueur, but this isn’t exactly like that. Something close.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Definitely for mixing. Might be nice with whiskey and hot tea for a warmed winter drink. Caramel Apple cocktail martini style for sure. Pairs nicely with cranberry juice.

The Big Apple

2 ounces Bourbon or Whiskey

3/4 ounce Caramel Apple Liqueur

1/2 ounce Sweet Vermouth

3 dashes Classic Bitters

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass or strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Hiram Walker

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Posted in Fall & Thanksgiving, Reviews

Tagged Apple Liqueur, Bourbon, Classic Bitters, Hiram Walker, Hiram Walker Caramel Apple Liqueur, Manhattan, Sweet Vermouth, The Big Apple, Whiskey

Cinnamon Toast

Posted on November 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

This tastes a bit like buttered cinnamon toast. Apple is quite faint, but just tickles the senses enough to give fresh baked apple pie crust sensation. Like pie crust sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Optional cinnamon and sugar rim dresses this cocktail for holiday celebrations.

Cinnamon Toast – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Apple Juice

1/2 ounce Clear Cinnamon Schnapps

2 ounces Sparkling Moscato Spumante

Apple Slice Garnish or Cinnamon & Sugar Rim – optional

Combine apple juice and cinnamon liqueur in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into cinnamon and sugar rimmed champagne flute. Top with Sparkling Moscato Spumante.