Dessert cocktails for the holidays

White Wine Apple Spritzer

Consider this a light dessert drink that can deliciously contrast a heavy Thanksgiving or Christmas feast.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle white wine such as Riesling
• 6 ounces apple pie liqueur or apple juice
• 3/4 ounces lime juice
• Club soda
• Cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine white wine with apple pie liqueur and lime juice.
2. When ready to serve, pour wine mixture into glasses and top off with club soda. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice.

Delightfully Chocolate and Peppermint

The start of a new year is always invigorating – as should be the cocktail you sip on New Year's Eve. This minty chocolate drink is a refreshingly decadent way to welcome in January 1 ... and your New Year's diet resolutions.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce chocolate syrup
• 1 ounce Three Olives Chocolate Vodka
• 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
• 3 ounces vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Small candy cane

Directions:

1. Swirl chocolate syrup in a hurricane glass. Blend vodka, schnapps and ice cream in a blender and pour into glass.
2. Top cocktail with whipped cream and garnish with the candy cane.

Spiced Caramel Apple

This festive gingery-apple sip was created by New York wine and spirits writer Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice, a zesty book brimming with 60 tongue-tantalizing cocktail recipes.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• Agave syrup
• Crumbled gingersnap cookies
• 2 ounces Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
• 1 ounce Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
• 2-1/2 ounces apple cider
• 1 dash lemon juice

Directions:

1. Rim martini glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies and set aside.
2. Add ginger liqueur, vodka, apple cider and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass.

Beer Nog Shooter

A tasty twist on the usual – brown ale and egg nog layered in shot glass makes for an unusual dessert drink for those that prefer beer over wine or hard liquor. Recipe courtesy of Newcastle Brown Ale and Sam the Cooking Guy. Be sure to use a clear shot glass for best effect.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• Newcastle Brown Ale
• Egg nog

Directions:

1. Fill a clear shot glass about halfway with Newcastle.
2. Then, and this is important, slowly pour egg nog over the back of a spoon on top of the Newcastle – this will help keep the two from mixing -- and serve.

Double Dutch Espresso

Rich with strong coffee, cream and caramel flavors, this indulgent cocktail can be served iced or warm, topped with whipped cream, if desired.

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Van Gogh Double
• Espresso Vodka
• 2 ounces half and half
• 1 ounce caramel syrup
• Whipped cream, optional