I’m currently planning a holiday party and am lucky enough to be BFFs with event planning superstar Paige Appel of Bash Please. In order to personalize my soiree, I asked her to whip up a couple custom holiday cocktail recipes for me. (I’m actually sipping a Roman Holiday as I write - it gets the creative juices flowing.) Since the holiday season is all about giving, I figured I’d share them. Cheers!

Roman Holiday
1 oz Rum (A sweet, vanilla – y rum like Matusalem)
1 oz Orgeat (classic almond flavored syrup)
1 oz Punt E Mes (Italian spicy sweet vermouth)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into an “up” glass and garnish with a little grated nutmeg on top.

La Joie Alpins
1.5 oz Gin (a full bodied, softer gin like Plymouth)
3/4 oz Benedictine
3/4 oz ruby port
3/4 oz Real Pomegranate Grenadine

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into an “up” glass and garnish with a few pomegranate seeds. Can also be served on the rocks.