What Thanksgiving dinner is complete without cranberries?  Whether your family tradition includes fresh cranberry relish or canned cranberry sauce, these tart little berries have a reserved place at the holiday table.  This year, why not surprise your guests with a festive cranberry cocktail.  Here are some delicious recipes to get you started.

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• You can’t go wrong with the classic Cosmopolitan.  Find the recipe here on Food Network.
• Sparkling and refreshing, Prosecco is the key to this Pear and Cranberry Bellini.  Get the scoop here at Martha Stewart.
• The kids will enjoy their own ‘cocktail’ , a virgin Cranberry Festive Sparkler.  Find the simple recipe from Ocean Spray here.
• Try out Oprah’s O Fizz sparkling cocktail, posted here on Delish.
• Step out of the ordinary with a Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito.  Ocean Spray has a great recipe posted here.

These refreshing drinks work perfectly for both Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.  So dazzle your guests and toast with a delish cranberry cocktail.  Which one will you choose?

Who says Halloween is just for kids?  Everyone can enjoy a frightfully good time on Halloween night.  So why not treat your adult friends to one of these creative cocktails after the little ghosts and goblins are down for the night.  Or try out one of these creepy cocktails, if you dare!

• This Espresso Martini delivers a powerful kick!  The dark espresso garnished with an orange wedge pays tribute to the traditional orange and black Halloween colors.  Get the recipe from Ina Garten here.
• The Liquefied Ghost Cocktail is like a grown up milkshake served in a martini glass.  Boo-tiful!  Get the recipe from Fine Living here.
• The Bloody Brain Shooter is not for the faint of heart.  Irish cream is used to create the realistic looking strands of ‘brain’.  Now that is one freaky looking shot! Get the recipe from Fine Living here.
• The Blood Sucker Cocktail is a sweet mix of triple sec, rum and pineapple juice.  So sweet you’ll want to suck it down!  Get the recipe from Fine Living here.

Cheers!  Hope you enjoy these spooky spirits!

We’re planning a casual Easter brunch at home and so far we’ve covered the menu and the tablescape.  The final touch for our Easter brunch is a light refreshing cocktail… The Mimosa! I don’t think there is a cocktail better suited for brunch than a mimosa.  Here are several delicious recipes for this sparkling delight.

Or try my paired down mimosa recipe as follows: Fill each glass 1/3 full with OJ. Top with chilled Prosecco. That’s it!! The Prosecco is soooo good, I don’t even bother adding anything else.  For a non-alcoholic option, substitute Sprite for the Prosecco.  You’ll be surprised at how refreshing this drink can be.

Whether you go for the simple recipe or one of the more elaborate ones, I think you’ll be delighted with the results. Enjoy and Happy Easter!

Be sure to let me know if you try any of these Casual Easter Brunch suggestions…whether it’s the menu, the table decor or the cocktails. I’d love to know what you think!