Cocktail Week: Spiced Caramel Apple

In perfect time for Fall gatherings, try this Spiced Caramel Apple created by Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice:

Spiced Caramel Apple

• 2 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
• 1 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
• 2-1/2 oz Apple cider
• 1 dash lemon juice

Rim glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies and set aside. Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass.

Cocktail Week: Pomosa

Perhaps one of the simplest cocktails to make, try this delicious recipe for a Pomosa, which blends the fresh, fruity tastes of pomegranate with a little bubbly:

Pomosa

• 4 oz Champagne Pommery Brut Royal
• 1 oz Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka

Pour chilled Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka into a flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a strawberry.

Cocktail Week: Sparkling Dutch Red Sangria

Even though it's cocktail week, we had to pepper in a recipe or two using wine/champagne (after all, we are loyalists). When you have the time to make your own (versus opting for a pre-made bottle, like Senor Sangria), check out this delicious sangria recipe:

Sparkling Dutch Red Sangria (pitcher recipe)

• 1 bottle dry red wine
• 3 ounces Triple Sec Liqueur
• 3 ounces Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka
• 6 ounces grenadine
• ½ bottle pomegranate juice
• ½ bottle Pommery Brut Royal Champagne
• 1 sliced orange

Combine the first five ingredients. Add Champagne and give a quick stir. Pour mixture over ice and add slices of orange. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick.

Cocktail Week: Tiramisu Martini

Cocktails, cocktails, get your cocktails! Try out this delicious recipe for a Tiramisu Martini using Van Gogh Vodka:

Tiramisu Martini

• 1-1/2 oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
• 1 oz Butterscotch liqueur
• 1 oz Hazelnut liqueur
• 1/2 oz Baileys

Combine in an ice filled shaker; shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Cocktail Week: Café Caramel Martini

You scream, I scream, we all scream for… cocktails? It's true, even the avid WinoBee deviates from her lavish glass of tannin every once in a while. And why wouldn't I? Dessert drinks have been a huge trend in the restaurant and bar industry throughout the past year and are only gaining popularity (especially those delectable after-dinner treats served so trendy in martini glasses - I love drinking in style!)

According to TheFoodChannel.com, the top 10 trends for 2009 included dessert drinks as number two. So, I figured it was only appropriate to implement "Cocktail Week" for my fellow winos looking for something a little different this Fall season. Have no fear, we'll be back on the grape juice before you know it!

Throughout the week, I'll post a few recipes for sippable sweets that you can enjoy sans spoon. Check back each day for a lil' something new

Café Caramel Martini

Created by Rene Matos, Beverage Director, NYC Marriott Marquis
(recipe provided by Talbert Communications)

• 2-1/2 oz Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
• 1/2 oz Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
• 1/4 oz House-made caramel sauce
• 1 oz Vanilla ice cream, softened
• Garnished with a cholive

Add all ingredients into a shaker and shaker vigorously to ensure the caramel is well blended. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a cholive.

PINKTtober: Pink Ribbon Bottle Stopper

In being on the prowl for the most charming "pinky" wine items supporting breast cancer awareness this month, I came across this adorable bottle stopper from The Pink Ribbon Shop.

Not only does it beautifully dress up a bottle with its sparkling facets, crystal beads and inspiring charms, it helps increase awareness and spread the support with each bottle you open. Made with rubber rings that help give it a snug fit on almost any bottle.

Purchase at: The Pink Ribbon Shop

Cost: $24.95

PINKtober: Riedel CresendO

In order to drink the pink, you're going to need some stemware to do it. Riedel Crystal has introduced a new Pink CresendO set of 4 limited edittion pink glasses which were specifically created to benefit Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer. Each of the Chardonnay/Viognier glasses offer a different delicate shade of pink and can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond. Cost: $59/set

WIN IT: In addition to the CrescendO glasses, Riedel will continue to offer the Pink Vinum set ($59), introduced in 2007, due to popular demand. Our friends at Riedel have offered to giveaway one Vinum Rosé set to a lucky reader. Like all purchases of this product, 15% of the cost has been donated already to Living Beyond Breast Cancer for you. To win, simply post a comment with one way your helping make a different to fight breast cancer (or another cause) alongside your email address. One random winner will be selected November 1st. To have an extra chance at winning, tweet this giveaway to hasthtag #BEEPINK. If you entered a prior giveaway, this does NOT exclude you from this offer.