Friday Fooday

Happy Friday! Here are some great holiday cocktail recipes.

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

c/oThe Kitchn

Ingredients

2 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup cognac
2 cups apple cider
750ml bottle cava (or other dry sparkling wine), chilled
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Directions

Add the apples to a large pitcher reserving about 1/2 cup for garnishing. Add the cognac, apple cider, and chilled cava. Stir.

Fill the pitcher with ice. Pour the sangria into glasses filled with ice and top with sliced apple and pomegranate seeds.

Sloe and Frosty

c/oFogged in Lounge

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz sloe gin
• 1/4 oz blackberry brandy
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 2 dashes Fee Bros orange bitters

Directions

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Cherry Goody Goody

c/oFive O'Clock Cocktail Blog

Ingredients

1 3/4 ounces Ketel One vodka

1/2 ounce Creme de Cacao (white)

1/2 ounce Pimm’s

1/2 ounce cranberry juice cocktail

3 or 4 dashes Fee Brothers Rhubarb Bitters

2 or 3 dashes Fee Brother Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Coca-Cola

Pomegranate seeds

Directions

Muddle a handful of pomegranate seeds into the bottom of a highball glass.

Fill glass with ice.

Add all liquid ingredients except the Coca-Cola. Stir well.

Top off with Coca-Cola and stir again.

Be fabulous today!

Gift Guide: For the Dude

And for the last of the gift guides we tackle the dudes. Always tough but always necessary.

1. Superhero glasses:  Treat his inner kid to these kick ass pint glasses.

2. Toro Bull: Think grown-up legos. Your dude can put this bull together and then hang it with pride in his bedroom, cubicle, or right in the kitchen.

3. USB Cufflinks: Got a geek on your hands? How about some techy cufflinks! 2GB on each wrist.

4. Warby Parker: My guy swears buy his Warbys and who could argue with glasses with prescription included for $99.

Be fabulous today!

Gift Guide: The Tough One

Today's gift guide is for the one who has everything. He/she may not be the fashionista, the mixologist, or the food lover, but you have to get them something. Let's see what out-of-the-box gifts we can find.

1. Fondue Mug: A perfect cold Saturday night in. Melt some chocolate, get some marshmallows and call it a night.

2. Hippo Wall Mount: I may be a bit biased because my alma mater has a thing for hippos, but I think any guy or gal would like this friendly addition in their home.

3. Interactive Speaker: Put your phone on top of this speaker and enjoy some rocking around the Christmas tree. No wires required.

4. Craftsy: Buy an online class for a friend who wants to learn how to sew, bake, make, and more. She/he can watch on their own time and create something truly unique!

Be fabulous today!

Gift Guide: Stalk the Mailman

Welcome back to the gift guides! Today is all about subscription gifts. The gift that keeps giving for months to come.

1. Julibox: Got a cocktail lover on your list? This ingenious gift subscription sends you ingredients and recipes each month to create delicious concoctions. 

2. For the Makers: I truly love this gift idea. Starting at $29 a month, you can send your crafty friend or relative something truly unique. Each box contains all the items for a DIY item she will love.

3. Barkbox: Norman gets this once a month and it is the best day of the whole month. Barkbox partners with small business dog stores and sends you treats, toys, and more. They also donate 10% of all proceeds to dogs in need. 

4. SquareHue: A nail polish subscription. Hello genius. Three polishes each month and a portion of the proceeds goes to Charity: Water.

Be fabulous today!