6 Festive Cocktails for Fall and Winter

Tis the season for delicious drinks! Whether it's a holiday party, wedding get-together, or bachelorette fling you find yourself at, these festive drinks will warm your tummy and tantalize your taste buds. Concoct a few for friends and get the party started.

Pumpkin Martini
Makes 1 serving

What you’ll need:

• ½ oz. cream liqueur
• 2 oz. vanilla vodka
• ½ oz. pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup
• 1 teaspoon whipped cream (optional)
• cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions:

1. Pour the cream liqueur and vodka into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup.
4. Shake again.
5. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
7. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Candy Cane Cocktail 
Makes 1 serving

What you’ll need:

• 1 candy cane crushed for garnish
• 2 oz. strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes white creme de menthe
• 2 ½ oz. cranberry juice
• ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water. Holding the glass by the stem, rotate the rim to coat with candy.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Autumn Punch 
Makes 10 servings

What you’ll need:

• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• ½ of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 64 oz. bottle apple-cranberry juice
• 4 medium purple and/or green plums, pitted and sliced
• 1 bottle fruity, white wine

Directions:

1. Place cloves and vanilla bean in center of a double-thick 6-inch square of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners of cloth together; tie closed with clean string. Pour apple-cranberry juice into a large container or pitcher. Add plums and spice bag. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
2. Remove and discard cheesecloth bag. Stir in wine. Serve beverage and plum slices over ice. (Or omit the ice and heat the juice mixture and wine in a 4-quart Dutch oven until hot. Serve in heatproof mugs.)

Sparkling Cranberry Rose 
Makes 8 servings

What you’ll need:

• 8 sugar cubes
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 bottle sparkling rose wine, champagne or sparkling white grape juice

Directions:

1. Place one sugar cube in the bottom of 8 to 10 chilled champagne flutes or other tall, narrow glasses. Pour 2 tablespoons cranberry juice into each glass.
2. Fill each glass with sparkling rose wine or champagne. If desired, place a wooden skewer of fresh cranberries in each glass.

Winter Solstice 
Makes 1 serving

What you’ll need:

• 1 ½ oz. orange vodka
• ½ oz. orange-flavored liqueur
• ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ice cubes
• club soda, chilled
• 1 mint leaf for garnish
• 1 raspberry for garnish

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into a chilled martini glass; add a splash of soda. Carefully fold mint leaf in half lengthwise and place the stem end into the opening of the raspberry. Float on top of cocktail and serve immediately.

Gingerbread Martini 
Makes 1 serving

What you’ll need:

• 2 oz. gingerbread tea
• 2 oz. gin
• 2 oz. Grand Marnier
• ice cubes

Directions:

In a martini shaker combine ice cubes, and equal parts gin, Grand Marnier, and steeped tea.
 Shake and serve in a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Photo Credits (from left): Pumpkin Martini via About Food | Candy Cane Cocktail via Martha Stewart | Autumn Punch via BHG | Sparkling Cranberry Rose via BHG | Winter Solstice via Martha Stewart | Gingerbread Martini via Wedding Bells