The Autumn Russian--Enjoy Quickly, December is Almost Here!

If you braved the Pumpkin Pie Martini and you're looking at a half FULL (not half EMPTY) bottle of Pumpkin Spice Liqueur--it's time for you to shake up an Autumn Russian.

I served this as an opening cocktail at Thanksgiving, and all legally drinking generations fully enjoyed it.  Shake it fast--December is almost here.

Autumn Russian

• 1/2 ounce Vodka
  
• 1/2 ounce Kahlua
  
• 1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
  
• 1/2 ounce cream
  

Shake the ingredients with ice, strain and serve over ice.

Yummy Pumpkin Pie in a Martini Glass

Hi, I'm Diva Deb and I can't cook.  I will admit this after years of denial.  Once, I was making grilled cheese sandwiches for friends and kept burning them.  My daughter said, "That's o-k, mom, these are just like you always make.  We like them burnt."

So, here is a recipe for Pumpkin Pie in a glass--a martini glass to be exact.  This is going out to all of those Divas out there who want to celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy the flavors of the holiday--BUT who are kitchen-challenged.

Or maybe we all just like to enjoy a festive cocktail!

Pumpkin Pie Martini*

• 1 part Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice
  
• 1/2 part Kahlua
  
• 1/2 part Hiram Walker Butterscotch Schnapps
  
• 1/2 part half and half
  

Shake well with ice and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

*Recipe courtesy of Hiram Walker's Pumpkin Spice liqueur.

The Best Bloody Mary

As you may rightly have noticed, the season for parties and festivities is upon us. While still October, yet well into myriad Halloween parties and events, Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and Christmas and New Years are lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.
We Divas enjoy our parties and holidays, and welcome events that bring us together with friends and family. We don't welcome, however, the morning after a particularly late evening involving lots of libations and lots of food. Our bodies cry out "Time Out!" and we consider a life in baggy, cozy, fleecy clothing - 24/7 - when our only obligations are to warm our sofas.

This beverage is the perfect answer to Divas seeking diet or de-tox during the active holiday season: The Bloody Mary. And this Mary is a classic - timeless, always in fashion, the Diva of drinks. It's satisfying, savory, healthy and low-fat. It can be served with or without alcohol, depending on your stamina. And with this particular recipe, it can be a meal in itself, as it's loaded with lots of goodies and nibbles you can sink your teeth into.

The Best Bloody Mary

1 oz. or 1-1/2 oz. vodka, to taste
6 oz. (3/4 cup) tomato juice
Juice of 1/4 juicy lime
1 teaspoon bottled pure horseradish
2 dashes Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire sauce
1 dash Tabasco
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt to taste

Celery stalk as garnish
Lime wedge as garnish

Combine the vodka, tomato juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, pepper and salt with 1 cup ice cubes. Shake well. Pour into a highball glass.
Garnish with celery stick and lime wedge.

For the Diva De-Tox:
Omit the vodka. Add additional 1/4 cup tomato juice.

For the Diva Diet:
View the beverage as a liquid salad: Omit the vodka. Add additional 1/4 cup tomato juice. Add additional garnishes such as carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, black olives.

Pumpkin Nog

Who needs an egg when you have the pumpkin? We don't know about you, but we cannot wait for the Christmas season to indulge in this rich and decadent beverage. The eggs and the carols come in due time, but right now as we celebrate autumn, Halloween and the Pilgrims, let's salute the all-mighty pumpkin in this delicious version of Egg Nog.

Pumpkin Nog

1.5 oz. Brandy, such as Calvados
2.0 oz. Half and Half or whole milk
2 teaspoons Maple syrup
2 teaspoons canned pumpkin pie filling

Prepare:
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Pour into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a high ball glass with ice cubes. Garnish with ground nutmeg.

Non-Alcoholic Version:
Omit the brandy. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and additional 1.0 oz. Half and Half.

Birthday Basket: 50th Birthday Shots

Sometimes, I'm at a loss of what to give a man for a birthday gift. Women? Easy! A trip to the spa, a candle, beautiful bath salts or lotions--as I said, easy! Men? Yikes.

Recently, a good friend of ours turned 50. I came up with this little gift basket and a shot that I call: The Fabulous and Fifty Shot.

Fabulous and Fifty Shot

• Bourbon Whiskey
• Amaretto

Pour straight up equal parts into a shot glass.

This shot is manly, yet has the amaretto to temper the bourbon--so mixed company can enjoy it, too.

I added the bottles to a gift basket. I bought festive shot glasses at the local party store, added a card and some ribbon.

(It was momentarily confiscated by our waiter at the restaurant as it was enthusiastically opened and sampled by the entire table. Never fear, the birthday boy got it back at the end of the night...but that folks, is a whole other story!)

Football Party Beverages

In the spirit of lifting our spirits, what better way than inviting a few friends over to watch the football game and enjoy some food and drinks? A little communal couch-potato action sounds like the ultimate cosy get-together. You can do a pot-luck in the food department, or for some do-ahead menu suggestions read here. As for beverages, aside from the requisite beer, here is a cider recipe that should help spike up the ambience.

Not for the faint of heart, this cider is fortified with tequila and triple-sec, creating an autumnal version of a margarita. Yet, served warm it's a perfect harvest concoction. Got thermoses for the tailgating party this weekend?

Tequila-Spiked Cider with Cranberry and Lime
Serves 6-8

5 cups apple cider
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
4 cloves
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup triple sec
Lime slices for garnish

In a medium saucepan, stir together cider, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer covered 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon and cloves. Add cranberry juice and heat until hot, without boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in tequila and triple sec. Pour into mugs or thermoses. Garnish mugs with lime slices.