Spiced Pear Planter's Punch

Sweet fresh pears and spiced rum come together in this perfect for fall Spiced Pear Planter's Punch...

I know that pumpkin and apples tend to reign supreme when fall rolls around, but I really think that pears should get a little more of the autumn spotlight. They become plentiful this time of the year and are begging to be made into delicious, fall inspired recipes. 

While doing a little cocktail research online, I came across a recipe for planter's punch and was instantly intrigued. A traditional planter's punch usually is a mix of dark rum and fruit juices making it the perfect libation for summer. 

But I thought why not give this rum cocktail a spicy fall makeover?

I infused a homemade simple syrup with fresh pear and shook that together with spiced rum and sparkling apple juice. The result? A perfect for fall cocktail that you will want to serve around a fire pit on a cool autumn night or as an adult treat with dessert after Thanksgiving dinner.

I do encourage you all to save the slices of pear that you use to infuse the simple syrup with to toss into your cocktail or to simply snack on and enjoy later (or right then ;) ). 

Something unexpected happened when I tried one of these syrup-soaked pieces of pear- I was instantly transported back to my childhood when my grandmother used to can pears from the tree in her backyard. 

She always jarred them in a simple syrup, and I remember them being such a special sweet treat for us kids. This Spiced Pear Planter's Punch is an adult version of that childhood fall treat...

Pumpkin Ginger Shandy

This quick and easy two ingredient Pumpkin Ginger Shandy is the perfect cocktail for fall or Thanksgiving entertaining...

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I was a contributor.

When it comes to Thanksgiving entertaining, I am all about keeping things easy. I have hosted dinner for my family almost every year for the past five years, so I definitely have a system down by now that keeps my Thanksgiving morning running smoothly and virtually stress free. 

The house is cleaned top to bottom by the whole family the day or two before Thanksgiving. Pies get baked the day before. I break out both of my slow cookers to prepare side dishes so I can keep the oven free for the real star of the Thanksgiving dinner table. 

The only thing I really have to worry about the day of the big dinner is roasting the turkey. Keeping our annual family Thanksgiving dinners fuss free and simple makes the turkey day more enjoyable for not only the guests, but for the dinner hostess as well. ;) 

Even the cocktail I will be serving to my dinner guests this year will be quick and easy, requiring only two simple ingredients to make!

Sparkling Pomegranate Screwdriver

I'm partnering with SMIRNOFF Vodka for National Vodka Day to bring you all this Sparkling Pomegranate Screwdriver, a fall twist on a cocktail classic...

Well, Happy National Vodka Day, friends! Not that I (or you ;) ) really need a boozy holiday to enjoy a good vodka cocktail or anything. But I decided to team up with SMIRNOFF vodka and a few of my favorite cocktail bloggers to celebrate anyways! 

We were each sent a different bottle of one of SMIRNOFF's newest vodkas in perfect for fall flavors. 

I have to admit that I was little excited when I saw that they were sending me the pomegranate vodka. Mainly because pomegranate is one flavor that I have never worked with before on the blog! (I know, can you believe that??) 

After giving it a taste (or maybe two- shhhhh...), I decided that pomegranate would be the perfect way to jazz up a plain ole classic screwdriver. And for fun I decided to add a splash or two of club soda for some fizzy bubble action... 

Chai Tea Latte Martini

This creamy & cozy 3 ingredient Chai Tea Latte Martini will soon become your new go-to cocktail for fall...

One of my favorite fall treats is a creamy & cozy chai tea latte. I just love the blend of warm spices in chai tea. And chai spices also happen to pair perfectly with most of my favorite fall flavors like apple & pumpkin. 

Somehow I just discovered chai tea concentrate this fall. How I didn't know this existed before is beyond me! 

It is perfect for whipping up a quick & easy chai tea latte, for stirring into plain oatmeal, & for shaking up into fall inspired cocktails like this Chai Tea Latte Martini recipe I am sharing with you all today... ;)

12 Cozy Cocktails for Fall

Inspired by some of your favorite fall flavors, these 12 Cozy Cocktails for Fall will keep you feeling warm & fuzzy all season long...

'Twas the day before Thanksgiving & I don't know about you all, but I could certainly use a drink. ;) Both of the kiddos have been home from school since last Friday. 

Moments of peace & quiet and a little me time have been very few & far between. And don't get me started on the constant snack requests from the 6 year old & the extra laundry from the college sophomore...

That is why I have already made plans to cozy up with a tasty cocktail tomorrow evening after all of the craziness of Thanksgiving dinner is over. 

As soon as the leftovers have been put away, I have a date with my couch, a comfy throw, Netflix, & one of these 12 cozy cocktails for fall that I am sharing with you all today. Who's with me?

All of the cocktail recipes below are inspired by some of your favorite fall flavors- pomegranate, chai, apple, pumpkin, pears, cranberries. 

Whether you are looking for the perfect after Thanksgiving dinner cocktail to serve with a slice of pie or maybe a little something you can sip on while doing that Black Friday shopping online, I got you covered with today's recipe collection... ;)

Apple Cider Mojitos

 A classic summertime cocktail gets a delicious autumn makeover with the addition of apple cider in these crisp and refreshing Apple Cider Mojitos...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

Okay. I know, I know.... Mojitos are cocktails that are usually associated with summertime, and backyard BBQ's, and beach vacations. Not with fall time or apple season.

But hear me out, you all.... It works. The white rum with your favorite apple cider and a little fresh mint and lime really works. Even I was surprised by how delicious this autumn twist on a classic mojito turned out.

Now, I can't take all the credit for coming up with this cocktail idea. I actually tried an apple cider mojito at a local brewery a couple months ago, and I knew I had to try to recreate it at home. 

Last month, we went apple picking while my sister and my best friend from West Virginia were visiting us at our new home in Erie, Pennsylvania. When I spied the fresh pressed apple cider at the local apple orchard we stopped at, I picked up a half gallon to bring home just to test out my new fall cocktail idea. I am a firm believer that the best cocktails start with the freshest ingredients.

Pomegranate Cranberry Moscow Mules

The classic Moscow Mule gets a perfect for fall flavor update with these Pomegranate Cranberry Moscow Mules...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

So, I have to confess that up until I had whipped up this cocktail, I had never had a Moscow Mule before. I know, I know... gasp. Right? 

And man, have I been missing out! The vodka mixed with the ginger beer and a little fresh lime juice? Amazing, folks. 

And while the classic Moscow Mule is delicious, I couldn't help but to keep thinking of that bottle of pomegranate vodka that had showed up at my door last month. The wheels started turning, and I knew I had to make a fall version of this cocktail! :) 

I swapped the plain vodka for the pomegranate one, added a generous splash of cranberry pomegranate juice, and then tossed in some fresh pomegranate seeds for a pretty garnish. Fall cocktail perfection, my friends. :)

These Pomegranate Cranberry Moscow Mules would be perfect for serving before or after that Thanksgiving dinner or maybe for a Friendsgiving get-together this month. 

You could even save this cocktail to whip up during the Christmas season. The color and flavors in this would be perfect for your holiday festivities... 

Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider Sangria

Warm spices, sweet pomegranate, and crisp apples come together perfectly in this Spiced Pomegranate Apple Cider Sangria...

While I know that the turkey, and all the sides, and the pumpkin pie are the stars of that big turkey day coming up next week, I do firmly believe that a Thanksgiving dinner menu is not complete until a fall festive cocktail has been added to the mix. ;) 

Usually, we pick up a bottle of wine that will pair well with turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner, but this year I am changing things up just a bit. 

We will still be sticking with the wine, but I am jazzing it up with fresh pomegranate, apples, and lots of spice in this easy-to-make sangria recipe that I am sharing with you all today.

I know most people think of sangria as just a warm weather thing, but why should summer get all the boozy fun of this delicious cocktail? The fall season offers such wonderful flavors that lend themselves perfectly to a good homemade sangria. 

Since I have been on such a pomegranate kick lately, I really made it the star of this sangria with the addition of pomegranate vodka, pomegranate juice, and fresh pomegranate seeds. The apple cider, spiced rum, and cinnamon smooths out the entire cocktail making for easy sipping for your Thanksgiving feast next week... :)

Announcing the Winner of the Spiked! Fall Beers Recipe Challenge...

Good morning all and happy Saturday!  We had another fantastic round of Spiked! recipes for September.  You all seriously wowed us yet again!  

This month's Spiked! ingredient was Fall Beers.  Recipe submissions could be anything using a Fall Beer except for a cocktail or drink.

So, without further adieu here are the Spiked! American Fall Beers Recipe Challenge runner-ups (in no particular order)...

Pumpkin Ale Brioche Cinnamon Rolls from A Kitchen Hoor

Autumn Maple Pecan Granola Bars from Juggling Act Mama

Fall Beer Poached Shrimp & Loaded Pumpkin Grits from For the Love of Food!

Pumpkin Caramel Apple Magic Bars from Shake Bake and Party

This month's Spiked! Recipe Challenge winner is...

Apple Ale Doughnuts from Cooking With Curls!!

Congratulations, Lisa!!  You definitely made it okay to have beer for breakfast with these amazing doughnuts! ;)  Julie and I will be in touch with you shortly to get you hooked up with your featured ad spot with me and with a gift card from Julie.

Julie and I would love to thank each and every one of you who entered this month's Spiked! Recipe Challenge.  We had 17 total Fall Beers laced entries for our fifth ever challenge.  I created a special Pinterest board for all of the Spiked! recipes, so please feel free to CLICK ON OVER and check them all out (and pin away while you are at it ;) ).  

And in case you missed Julie's and I's Spiked! Fall Beers Recipes...

Four Cheese Pumpkin Pasta Bake from This Gal Cooks

Butternut Squash Cheddar Ale Soup from Frugal Foodie Mama

Julie and I will be back again in November with an all new Spiked! Recipe Challenge!  We will announce that month's libation of choice on the first of the month.

If you would like to see more information on the Spiked! Recipe Challenge, please click HERE to view the Spiked! page on my blog. 

13 Essentials for Your Halloween Cocktail Party

Each of these 13 Essentials for Your Halloween Cocktail Party come in at under $20, & they are all available via Amazon Prime!

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

So let's talk Friday the 13th for a moment, shall we? Do you all buy into the hype that it is supposedly one of the unluckiest days of the entire year? Are you extra cautious- avoiding black cats crossing your path & tossing a little salt over your shoulder if you happen to spill some? Or do you think it is all just a bunch of superstitious hoopla & go about your day as usual? 

Regardless of where you happen to stand when it comes to Friday the 13th, today is definitely your lucky day if you have been tossing around the idea of hosting a cocktail party to celebrate Halloween later this month. ;) Why? Because I did all the hard work for you all & rounded up 13 (See? Not unlucky!) of the best deals on Halloween cocktail party essentials on Amazon!

Each of these ghoulish & creepy cocktail party must-haves come in at under $20 (with most being under $15!), & they are all available via Amazon Prime (can I get a woot-woot for free 2 day shipping?)...

Blueberries & Cream Daiquiris

These frosty Blueberries & Cream Daiquiris are bursting with fresh blueberry flavor... a perfect cocktail for summertime!

Post updated 7/30/19- These perfect for summertime Blueberries & Cream Daiquiris deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

I am seasonal limbo right now... ready to dive head first into fall, but not yet quite ready to fully give up summer.  Anyone else with me on this? 

So, yeah... I posted a recipe makeover of my Homemade Crock Pot Apple Butter yesterday and today I am sharing a fruity, frozen drink with you all.  

25 Cozy Chai Spiced Recipes for Fall

Enjoy the warm & comforting blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, & cloves in these 25 Cozy Chai Spiced Recipes for Fall...

I know that when most of you all think of chai spices that you automatically think of lattes, but this warm & toasty blend of spices is absolutely amazing in some of your favorite fall recipes as well. Chai spices make the perfect addition to soft & fluffy cinnamon rolls, warm & cozy cocktails, perfectly spiced desserts, and so much more. 

The spicy & comforting blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, & a touch of black pepper complements your favorite flavors of fall (think apple, pumpkin, pears, even chocolate) perfectly.

Each & every fall, I whip up a jar of my DIY Chai Spice Mix & use it in place of just plain ole cinnamon for the entire season. I sprinkle it over toast with butter & a little sugar. I add a teaspoon of it into pancake & waffle batter. I stir a little bit of it into into my morning oatmeal. 

This warm blend of spices instantly gives everything a tasty fall makeover. This DIY spice blend will also work perfectly in each of these 25 cozy chai spiced recipes for fall that I am sharing with you all today. :)

From breakfast to dessert to happy hour, I got you covered with the most cozy & comforting chai spiced recipes to enjoy all throughout fall & the holidays...