The Best Holiday Cocktail Recipes from Martie Knows Parties

Some of you are already off work and gearing up for a big holiday weekend.... if you still need some ideas for your holiday get-togethers, these cocktail recipes are festive, delicious, and pretty, too! Here are some of our favorite holiday cocktail recipes... enjoy! Merry Christmas to all.

MARTIE'S BEST HOLIDAY COCKTAIL RECIPES 2010

PEPPERMINT BARK MARTINI: Smooth and creamy with a peppermint kick. Made with vanilla vodka, Godiva White Chocolate liqueur and creme de menthe. Decadent. Delicious. Almost dessert!

HOT BUTTERED RUM: A holiday favorite: brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Oh, don't forget dark rum. Yum.

HOLIDAY DOUBLE BUBBLE: One of the easiest and prettiest drinks for the holidays. Prosecco and Italian sparkling soda. Garnish. Done!

OATMEAL COOKIE MARTINI: Tastes just like a warm cookie straight out of the oven- except with a cocktail kick!

BOURBON HOT TODDY: Made with a bourbon, little lemon, orange liqueur, and cinnamon, this will really warm you up on a cold night!

HOLIDAY HOT CHOCOLATE: Worth the effort. this one is even more special when you add a little vanilla vodka, your favorite bourbon, or dark rum. 

POMEGRANATE CRANBERRY KISS: An easy signature cocktail for your holiday party. Mix up a big batch and serve in a pitcher or dispenser. Looks beautiful and tastes wonderful.

PRALINES N CREAM MARTINI: Smooth and delicious, this Southern favorite is made with praline pecan liqueur. Simple!

HOT APPLE PIE TODDY: Made with Tuaca, an Italian liqueur and apple juice, this one tastes like holiday in a glass.

Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays!

Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Bourbon Hot Toddy

I was driving along I-65 in Tennessee earlier this week and saw the signs for the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg. While I've never been, I've always wanted to go! It put me in the mood for a bourbon drink for our weekend cocktail. Since the weather around the country will be pretty chilly for the next few days, I thought a warm drink by the fire sounded like a nice way to kick off the weekend! Happy Friday everyone.

BOURBON HOT TODDY

1 1/2 ounces bourbon ( I like Knob Creek or Gentleman Jack)

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier (or any orange liqueur)

1/2 t honey

1 T fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 cinnamon stick

Lemon or orange twist (which is a strip of the lemon peel)

1 1/2 cups boiling water (more or less depending on the size of the mug)

Put the cinnamon stick, twist, and lemon juice into a heavy mug. Add bourbon and Grand Marnier and top off with the boiling water. Let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and to cool slightly. Remove the cinnamon stick and enjoy!

MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES FROM MARTIE

Oatmeal Cookie Martini

Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Apple Pie Toddy

Pralines 'n Cream Martini

Martie's Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Cherry Coke Taste with a Bourbon Kick: The '57 Chevy

We had a little Facebook discussion about our weekend cocktail earlier tonight. Kellie wanted pineapple AND orange. Mel said bourbon. And I was in an old school mood because there's been a lot of talk in my world this week about the good old days. So, with that in mind, I decided to take the way back machine and kick it old school with this weekend cocktail recipe that combines a classic, "way back" taste with a twist. What's more old school  than a cherry coke and a 57 Chevy? Try this one if you like cherry coke... with a bourbon kick! Here's the recipe:  

The '57 Chevy

1 ounce Kentucky Bourbon (I used Knob Creek)

1 ounce orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier)

1 ounce cherry flavored vodka

Splash pineapple juice

Big splash of cherry juice

And a couple of cherries for garnish!

MORE WEEKEND COCKTAIL RECIPES:

CARAMEL APPLE MARTINI

STRAWBERRY PEAR SANGRIA

PINEAPPLE MINT MOJITOS

PINEAPPLE COSMOPOLITAN

ICED TEA VODKA & LEMONADE

POMEGRANATE MARTINI

LIMONCELLO BERRY SNO-CONES

Host a Derby Day Party: Mint Julep Recipes and Easy Decorations

Big hats, red roses, pretty spring dresses, horses, Kentucky Bourbon and mint juleps. Now if those aren't reason enough to host a party, I don't know what is! The races at Keeneland are underway now and The Kentucky Derby will be run May 1 at Churchill Downs. So call your friends, dust off that huge hat and mix up some mint juleps! In fact, why wait for Derby Day? Mix some up this weekend! Go baby go!

Derby Decorations

Decorations for a Derby Day party could not be easier. Use anything silver as a container--- use whatever you have. You can even just spray paint something you already have silver if you don't have anything.... a terra cotta pot, for example. A mint julep cup makes a perfect vase. Add a few red roses and you're done! They call the Derby the "run for the roses" because the winning horse is covered with a blanket of red roses so use lots of red roses for your decorations. You can get them anywhere--- even Wal-Mart! We used 3 per container for this arrangement along with some leaves and a little moss.

Mint Juleps from MyRecipes.comMint Julep Recipes

A classic mint julep begins with good Kentucky bourbon like Maker's Mark or Four Roses. Mint is also essential, although there are some versions that use fresh basil; very different but very refreshing. Add some ice. That's really all you need. Here's my version-use mint simple syrup so you don't have to play bartender all day and you get lots more mint flavor.

Martie's Classic Mint Julep for a Crowd

These mint julep recipes below are all from our good friends at MyRecipes.com!

Stanley's Mint Julep

Fresh Basil Julep

Mint Julep Iced Tea

And my own spin on the perfect Derby Day cocktail, Pomegranate Spiked Sweet Tea!

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