Cocktails by Candlelight

Host a happy hour with ease. Just fill your home with pretty candle arrangements, and serve these signature drinks.

Somewhere between your 5oth mad dash to the mall and baking cookies for Santa, you want to squeeze in socializing with your friends. Think you can't fit it into your schedule? Then try these ideas and recipes. They're quick, they're easy, and they offer all the basics-great atmosphere, casual time with friends, and delicious drinks. Let them be your guide to throwing an impressive holiday cocktail party. -SARA ANDERSON, ANDRIA SCOTT HURST

Smart Hostess Tips

* Save time by inviting guests via e-mail. Visit www.evite.com for help.

* Round up several different shapes of candles. Group them in vases, glass jars, and on top of small trays and pedestal stands.

* Fill several colorful bowls with different snacks. Arrange them all around your gathering area so your guests can mingle and munch in more than one spot.

* The day before your get-together, fill extra ice cube trays, pick up a few bags, or put your ice-maker to work overtime.

Cape Codder Punch

MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN.

1 (48-oz.) bottle cranberry juice cocktail

1 ½ cups vodka

[fraction one-third] cup sweetened lime juice

1 (1-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled

Ice cubes

Garnish: fresh cranberries and lime wedges on swizzle sticks

Stir together first 3 ingredients. Stir in ginger ale just before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Rose's West India Sweetened Lime Juice.

Champagne and Cranberries

MAKES 1 SERVING

PREP: 5 MIN.

6 dried cranberries

¾ cup Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled

Place cranberries in Champagne flute. Pour Champagne over berries. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Martini

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN.

[fraction one-third] cup chocolate liqueur

[fraction one-third] cup dark cream of cocoa

[fraction two-thirds] cup half-and-half

¼ cup vodka

Crushed ice cubes

Stir together first 4 ingredients.

Fill half of cocktail shaker with ice. Add half of liqueur mixture, cover with lid, and shake 8 to 10 seconds until thoroughly chilled. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Repeat with remaining mixture. Serve immediately. BECKY MOON

COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE

Sour Apple Martini

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN.

4 very thin Granny Smith apple wedges

Cinnamon sugar

¾ cup vodka

¾ cup sour apple Schnapps

Crushed ice cubes

Rub rims of chilled martini glasses with apple slices. Place cinnamon sugar in a saucer; spin rim of each glass in cinnamon sugar. Attach one apple slice on rim of each glass.

Stir together vodka and Schnapps. Fill half of cocktail shaker with ice. Add half of vodka mixture, cover with lid, and shake 10 seconds or until thoroughly chilled. Strain into chilled glasses. Repeat with remaining vodka mixture. Serve immediately.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple Schnapps.

For More Info

Festive party sippers: southernliving.com/december2006

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Dec 2006
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