Holiday Spirits: What's on Your Menu for Wine & Cocktails?

Thanksgiving is about family– even if it’s one you create all on your own. What’s hot — or cool– about it is that your dinner will be fabulous no matter what you serve because you are with others but it’s important to remember the beverages (cocktails or wine) when you are serving appetizers, dinner or dessert. These sorts of beverages help set the tone for a celebration, a day of thanks for those who gather together and break bread.
Looking for an interesting after-dinner drink? This one qualifies as a dessert too because it include cream cheese. Definitely NOT low-calorie, this is a fabulous drink for those who know that Thanksgiving is just ONE day of delicious food where you are presented with the tastiest foods.

Pommery’s Pink Pops Champagne is an affordable pink or rose’ champagne that’s fun with a light “pop” to the champagne and it creates a real party-like atmosphere.

Essential to the champagne is the proper glasses. You can get fine Riedel Vivant champagne flutes (probably the finest name in glassware and crystal) in a set of 4 flutes for about $35 from Target.com.

Want a more topical and themed drink? Created by celebrity chef, Jon Ashton,
Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shots are a perfect addition to your cocktail or dessert menu.
1 can (14 oz) Pumpkin, chilled
3 oz Reduced-fat cream cheese
6 oz Low fat vanilla yogurt
1 Cup low fat milk
1/4 Cup Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon nutmeg
6 Teaspoons graham cracker crumbs, optional
Place all ingredients (except graham cracker crumbs) in a blender and blend until silky. Pour into shot glasses and top each serving with a teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs.

One could use large shot glasses or small highball, but I think for a holiday drink , this would be awesome served in Riedel Vivant Martini glasses with the rims dipped in graham cracker crumbs.

Also using those same martini glasses, (we don’t want them to go to waste now do we?)
is this fab Spiced Caramel Apple Martini created by Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice
2 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
2-1/2 oz Apple cider
1 dash lemon juice
Rim martini glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies at set aside. Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass.
There will be more recipes for drinks and food over the next few days– right through the entire week. After all you are off starting on Thursday through the weekend. After all the partying and shopping, you might need some creative drinks and food!
Stevie Wilson