Party maven Sandra Lee suggests that you,

“Re-name your cocktails for a signature touch and serve them in an array of glasses in different shapes and sizes for a glamorous effect. If you have a special album playing, review your song list and allow the song titles to inspire your cocktails, ie. Peach Cider can be turned into “Cinema Paradiso” to match the beautiful duet of the same name on Joshua Bell’s new album At Home With Friends. Brilliant!”

Non-alcoholic cocktails are a safe way to celebrate the season. Here’s a peach and apricot cocktail that’s beautiful and fragrant.  Excerpted from the book, Cocktail Time (Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade).

Cinema Paradiso – Cocktail

Prep 10 minutes Cook 2 hours (Low) Makes 10 drinks

  • 2 cans (11.5 ounces each) peach nectar
  • 2 cans (11.5 ounces each) apricot nectar
  • 1 bag (12-ounce) frozen peach slices
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1⁄2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Cinnamon stick

In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine peach nectar, apricot nectar, peach slices, the water, brown sugar, lemon juice, allspice, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Cover and heat on Low heat setting for 2 to 3 hours. Discard cinnamon sticks. Turn slow cooker to Warm heat setting. Serve in mugs with additional cinnamon sticks.

If you prefer an alcoholic version, add 1 cup bourbon, Bulleit® before simmering.

Have a safe and happy NEW YEAR!

Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cocktail Time, by Sandra Lee – reprinted with permission

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