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... :)

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... 

Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan

A classic cocktail gets a romantic and bubbly makeover in this Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan...

It is no secret that my husband and I are pretty much homebodies when it comes to popular holidays like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. We would much rather stay at home, cook a special dinner-in, and enjoy a bottle of wine or mix up a cocktail or two. 

Honestly, I would love to go out for a romantic dinner for two at a swanky restaurant, but when you factor in wait times & the bill that is guaranteed to be double the norm the romanticism kind of flies out the window for me. 

But cozying up at home with a home cooked or take-out dinner for two and a couple of beautiful cocktails is speaking my love language. ;)

Every Valentine's Day I try to concoct a new cocktail for my husband and I to celebrate with. This year I am taking a cue from a cocktail classic, the cosmopolitan. (Just curious- am I the only one who can't drink a cosmo without thinking of reruns of Sex and the City?)

So what makes my Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan special? The addition of pomegranate vodka & bubbly champagne! :) 

The color of this cocktail just screams romance and Valentine's Day. And how could you ever go wrong by adding some bubbly to the mix? (Hint- you absolutely cannot. ;) )

Candied Pomegranate-Mandarin Orange Peel

Combining the sweetness of fresh citrus with just a hint of tart pomegranate, this Candied Pomegranate-Mandarin Orange Peel is a must-make for the holiday season...

I know that the holiday season is usually all about the peppermint and gingerbread and eggnog (and trust me- I love all of those flavors too!), but for me there is nothing more festive than the combination of sweet orange with tart pomegranate or cranberries. 

Maybe it is the color combo of the bright orange and the jeweled red. Maybe it's because I need a pop of sweet & tart flavor to give me a break from all of the warm spices and zippy mint that we are bombarded with this time of the year. But this citrusy, sweet & tart combo is a treat not only for my taste buds, but for my eyes as well. :)

Candied orange peel is one of those recipes I have been wanting to try for myself for a while now. I have made candied lemon slices before, but never orange peel. 

I used mandarin oranges (aka, Halos or Cuties) for this recipe mostly because my youngest is obsessed with them, but it seems like we can never get through an entire bag of them before they go bad. So this candied orange peel recipe is a great way to use up a few of them. And since mandarins are much smaller then regular navel oranges, their peels are already the perfect size for candying. 

Pomegranate Mimosa Mule

Two classic cocktails come together into one delicious & bubbly concoction in this Pomegranate Mimosa Mule. Perfect for a midnight toast or a weekend brunch!

So it just occurred to me as I was sitting down to write this that this will be my last blog post on Frugal Foodie Mama for 2016. And what a year it has been for this blog! :) 

I found myself traveling 10 times this year- from our family trip to Gettysburg in March all the way to my solo trip to Amelia Island, Florida last month. 

I was fortunate to enjoy some fabulous long-term partnerships with brands such as Kroger, Hamilton Beach, Save-A-Lot, & Rice Krispies & to be able to share some amazing recipes with you all as a result of that. 

I met almost all of my blog and social media growth goals for the year (save my 10K goal for Instagram- I am a little over 8,000 right now ;) ). 

Every year I look back on what started as a fun little hobby for me, and I am amazed at how much it has grown and flourished. 

And while I know that quite of bit of that has to do with all of the hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and time I have invested in this, it also has A LOT to do with one other thing that I will forever be grateful for- you all. 

Those of you who come back week after week to check out my travel adventures and my newest recipe creations. Those of you who share my recipes & travel posts with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

Those of you who have been with me since the start of this great blogging adventure of mine almost 6 years ago, as well of those of you who may have just discovered Frugal Foodie Mama this past month while searching for the perfect holiday recipe to make. 

So today on this next to the last day of 2016, I raise a glass to all of you with this bubbly & festive Pomegranate Moscow Mule. THANK YOU for being a part of this, for being part of my dream job and a part of Frugal Foodie Mama. 

Here is to another year of tasty, budget-friendly recipes and fun travel adventures that I get the pleasure of sharing with you all. Cheers! :)

Apple-Pear Pomegranate Puff Pancake

A thick buttermilk pancake is studded with juicy pears, sweet apples, and jewels of pomegranate seeds & baked to a golden brown in your cast iron skillet in this Apple-Pear Pomegranate Puff Pancake...

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

Want to know the quickest way to make pancakes that will feed the whole family? Bake up a delicious puff pancake in your trusty cast iron skillet! :) 

While I love making stacks of homemade pancakes for my family, let me be honest for a second- it gets a little time-consuming standing there flipping pancakes. 

Christmas morning is just one of those mornings when you do not want to be stuck in the kitchen any longer than you have to, am I right? 

I mean, there are presents to open, and warm mugs of coffee and cocoa to be sipping on, and everyone knows that A Christmas Story is playing ALL day on TBS. Who wants to miss Ralphie modeling his pink nightmare bunny PJ's because you are standing over a hot griddle? ;)

This Apple-Pear Pomegranate Puff Pancake is my lazy Christmas morning solution for you all. You just bake up one giant pancake, cut it into slices, and voila! 

Christmas morning breakfast is ready, and everyone gets to eat at the same time. I must admit that this was my first time making a puff pancake, and now I want to kick myself for waiting so darn long to give it a go.

A giant buttermilk pancake studded with juicy pears, sweet apples, and jewels of pomegranate seeds- how could you possibly go wrong with this on Christmas morning? :)

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... 

No-Bake Cannoli Cheesecake Shortcake

Looking for an elegant, yet fuss-free dessert perfect for ringing in the new year? Then you are going to love this recipe for No-Bake Cannoli Cheesecake Shortcake... 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot. The opinions and text are all mine.

When it comes to New Year's Eve, my family and I like to keep it low key, fuss free, yet still fun and festive each year. We usually stay home to ring in the new year with a little bubbly (sparkling wine for my husband & I and sparkling grape cider for the kiddos), lots of tasty appetizers, and a classy dessert. 

We may not be painting the town at some swanky party when the clock strikes midnight, but we still like to do something special at home as a family to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

This December 31st my family and I will be indulging in these easy to make No-Bake Cannoli Cheesecake Shortcakes. And to make them even more fun, I plan on setting up a toppings bar so everyone can garnish their shortcakes with their favorite fruits and candies... :)

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... ;)