I thought we should start our holiday entertaining series the way all good parties get started: with a martini.

I love this recipe for the Candy Cane Martini. It is super easy to make and most of us have the ingredients already stocked in our bars, which means it is also budget friendly!

ingredients:
• 1 1/2 oz. vodka
• 1 tsp. peppermint schnapps

Mixing instructions:
Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Here is an option: garnish with a small candy cane or create a candy cane “rimmer” with crushed candy canes.

Recipe from: ThatsTheSpirit.com

Image via Philly Mag

Oh, Thanksgiving! Full of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course cocktails. I know many of you are prepping for your holiday feast, and why not start it off right with a signature drink? Let’s face it, we all need a drink when it involves spending a long weekend with family!

The Gobble-tini

– 1 1/2 oz Smirnoff cranberry twist vodka
– 1/4 oz Chambord
– 1/2 oz cranberry juice
– 1 tsp lemon juice
Garnish: 3 cranberries on stick

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with 3 cranberries on stick.
Source: The Cocktail Times.com

I love this drink because most of us already have the ingredients stocked in our bars! There is nothing worse than having to buy $75 worth of liquor to make ONE signature drink.

There was a lot of yummy food on display at BizBash by some of Manhattan’s top catering companies. We got to sample a variety of signature drinks, chocolate confections, and petite appetizers. The main trend? Food as art.

I think a lot of couples underestimate the impact that food has on your event. We all know it is the largest expense and the single element guests are guaranteed to remember from your wedding day. Still, people tend to neglect the idea that food can be as much a part of your wedding day theme and décor as flowers, candles, and table linens. If you are having a French country themed fete, why not serve a variety of French food and wine? A rustic, evergreen style wedding could serve these petite paper cones filled with a variety of nuts and a spring of evergreen as garnish.

You can create a fusion of food to suit your theme and stylize it in a way where it fits in with your décor. It is an inexpensive way to continue your wedding style into other elements of the day. I recommend that you sit down with your caterer or chef and discuss options to liven up your dishes and add an artistic flair. Think about shapes, color, taste, and texture. Here are a few ideas:

Going Old Hollywood? Stick with classic cocktails (which are making a huge comeback) such as the classic martini, gin and tonic, or whiskey sour. For food, serve canapés with different spreads (avocado, blue and cream cheese spread, ham and olive), welsh rarebit toasties, cocktail sausages, and silver dollar hamburgers. For dinner, serve wedge salad or classic cob salad with a classic steak, chicken, or Italian dish.

For a rustic, late summer evening wedding outside, consider serving a variety of chilled wines or sangria’s in pitchers. Champagne flutes served with a few blueberries, raspberries or blackberries for flavor and color. As an appetizer, antipasto platters with cured meats, cheeses, peppers and mushrooms. Parmesan stuffed mini artichokes, crab cakes with tarter dipping sauce, and dates stuffed with goat cheese. For dinner, a light cesaer or garden salad with braised lamb shank with rosemary, beef tenderloin with port and chestnut sauce.

Another trend that is evident already in recent weddings are miniature foods. Shot glasses filled with bisques, soups, and little deserts. Tiny french fries, burgers, sandwiches, and cheesecakes. I love the idea of miniature foods, especially deserts and hors d’oeuvres; it allows your guests to sample a lot of food without getting too full!

Often times these are more of a customized menu verses the wedding package variety. If you can’t stray from your prepackaged meal, ask the chef if they would be willing to plate the food in a unique and artistic way. Chefs are artists by nature and most of them welcome putting new spins on the same old dishes!

I love this martini. I think it would be perfect for an autumn themed wedding / party! I also think it has a bit of Old Hollywood Glamour behind it. I don’t know if I am just channeling Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, but I think it would be a fabulous addition to your old hollywood themed fete!

The Gingersnap Martini

* 75 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
* .5 oz. ginger brandy
* 4 oz. eggnog

Combine rum, brandy, and eggnog in a blender. Blend to desired consistency. Garnish with a ginger snap for dunking.

Recipe courtesy of TheBar.com

The menu that you create for your wedding can be as creative and tailored as your caterer will allow. I really feel as though food, aside from vows, are the most important feature to any party. It cannot be overlooked. Your guests are looking forward to a delicious meal inspired by both of your personalities!

I’ve created this autumn inspired menu based on hearty dishes that represent my favorite season well. Fall foods are colorful and those colors should be well represented on your guest’s plates: oranges, greens, reds, and purples.

hor d’oeuvre: Fig Crostini

with prosciutto, ricotta and red wine reduction

There are so many different foods you can tower on top of toasted bread. This recipe had me at fig! It is a delicious and luxe surprise for your guests to nibble on. Source: MyGourmetConnection.com

hor d’oeuvre: Eggplant Rolls

with walnuts, garlic and herbs

I may have to have a dinner party just so I can serve this dish. The combination of flavors is quintessentially autumn. Source: AZCookbook

hor d’oeuvre: Tomato Bruschetta

Bruschetta is a hor d’oeuvre staple at most gatherings — and for good reason. Tomatos and basil are in their highest season, so why not take advantage of their full and natural flavor? Coupled with a deliciously toasted slice of buttered bread you have a finger food that all your guests will enjoy! Image Source: RealEpicurean.com (click for their recipe, too!)

Soup: Butternut Squash and Garlic Soup

One of my favorite foods of fall is butternut squash soup. I think the key to making this dish extra delish is to add a bit of sweet; whether it be honey, sugar, or a substitute, sweetness really brings out the flavor. Otherwise, it can end up tasting dull. Image Source: Delightful Deliacies (visit their website for their recipe)

Salad: Corn Fritters, Tomato and Arugula Salad

The author of this recipe drizzled a bit of honey over the corn fritters and tossed the arugula in a mixure of white vinegar, olive oil, whole grain mustard, salt and pepper. This salad would also be bolder if the tomato’s were oven roasted. Source: Love and Olive Oil

Pasta Dish: Pumpkin & Parmesan Ravioli

with Rapini & Pine Nuts

In lieu of a traditional pasta dish, consider serving this autumn inspired marriage of pumpkin, pasta, Parmesan and pine nuts. Ravioli is such a comfort food and one your guests will truly enjoy. Source: Under the High Chair

Main Course: Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Sherry Sauce

and a side of braised red cabbage and garlic mashed potatos

“Pork tenderloin is an extremely versatile meat that lends itself well to a variety of seasoning and sauce variations. The pungent flavors of orange and sage complement the pork perfectly and make a beautiful entree for a fall dinner party.” Source: MyGourmetConnection.com

Desert: Autumn Trifle

with Spice-Roasted Apples, Pears, and Pumpkin-Caramel Sauce

There are so many options for deserts in the fall: pies, cakes, and cookies. All comfort foods. I loved this autumn inspired trifle which has many of the same ingredients you’d find in your favorite fall deserts. Source: TravelersLunchBox.com

This is a perfect cocktail for an autumn wedding or cocktail party. Are you in the fall spirits yet? I’m so sad to see summer go, but fall is my favorite season. I love the changing of the leaves, comfort food, warm sweaters and scarves, plus all the fun fall activities.

Autumn Sunset

1 tsp minced pumpkin puree
1 oz brandy
½ oz Calvados
2 oz apple juice
¼ oz grenadine
splash soda
garnish cinnamon stick

Put all ingredients except grenadine and cinnamon stick into cocktail shaker, shake vigorously and pour into a tall martini glass. After pouring, drizzle grenadine on top so it falls to the bottom of the glass to create the effect of an “autumn sunset.”

If you wish to drink this beverage hot, omit the splash of soda. Pour ingredients into 8 oz glass coffee mug, add 6 oz hot water, stir vigorously to blend. Add grenadine as above. Garnish with cinnamon stick plus three whole cloves.

Recipe courtesy of cocktail.com and photograph by Martha Williams.

Okay, I’ll admit it: its a bit cheesy. But I like the occasional corny factor, and so do a lot of you! Therefore, I present:

A Lovely Pear

Insert a collective “awwww”

4 parts Absolut Pears
½ part apple juice
1 part white grape juice
1 ½ part peach puree
1 part lime juice
(Serves two)

Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into 2 martini glasses.Garnish with a Pear slice and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

It does sound super yummy, and would make a cute addition to your wedding day! Thanks to CocktailAtlas.com for the recipe and photograph!

Wild Berry Mojito

Ingredients:

1-1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
3-4 each of fresh blackberries, blueberries and red raspberries
8-12 fresh mint leaves
juice of one lime
1 oz. simple syrup
soda water
mint sprig for garnish

Directions:

In a 12-oz. highball glass, muddle mint, simple syrup, wild berries and lime juice.

Fill glass with crushed ice — it is very important to use crushed ice, not cubed — then add rum.

Stir well until the ice is reduced by 1/3, then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside.

Spritz with soda water and stir one last time to incorporate.

Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint that has been dusted with powdered sugar and two long straws to avoid tickling your nose with the garnish.

Tips: To muddle the mint against the bottom of the glass, use just enough pressure with your muddler to release the oils from the mint without tearing it. The back surface of a wooden spoon will serve as a muddler stand-in if needed. Use a lime squeezer to fully extract the lime’s juice. To make simple syrup, dissolve an equal amount of granulated sugar in boiling water and then allow syrup to cool. Store in a clean bottle in a cool place.

Candice’s Idea: Display your signature cocktail in various vintage glass pitchers on a specialty table. Include a description of your signature drink and the ingredients — and to tie it all together have the printed description match your invitation / menu cards.

Cocktail recipe courtesy of The Modern Mixologist.