today’s “in the kitchen with” is a special drink recipe duo from dinner party blogger lisa cericola. lisa runs a great blog (in addition to writing for bizbash) about entertaining at home and creating menus for dinner parties. i was thrilled when she offered to share two drink recipes with us for the holiday season: fall sangria and “the big apple”. so if you’re looking to spice up your holiday parties click here for lisa’s full recipes (or just click “read more” below). thanks to lisa for sharing!

[image of lisa by tony schreiber]

Drink #1: Fall Sangria

Sangria is usually thought of as a summer drink, but I added autumnal notes with seasonal fruit and Calvados, apple brandy. This is a strong drink, but you can cut it by adding ice cubes, a splash of club soda, or sparkling apple cider.
(Serves about 4-6 people)

1 apple, sliced into thin ½-inch long pieces
½ cup pomegranate seeds (*see note below on how to release them without a mess)
1 pear, sliced into thin 1/2-inch long pieces
¼ cup Calvados (I used Christian Drouin)
1 chilled bottle inexpensive white wine (I used Terra Andina Savignon Blanc, a dry Chilean white)
Optional: Club soda or sparkling apple cider

Place your sliced fruit in a small bowl and pour the Calvados over it. Give the fruit a stir, to make sure it’s evenly covered. Set aside in the refrigerator and let the fruit marinate for 15 to 30 minutes. When done, pour your wine into a large pitcher, then add in the Calvados-soaked fruit and any liquor left in the bowl. Stir until combined. Pour into glasses, topping each one off with club soda or sparkling apple cider, and adding ice if you’d like.

*To easily remove the seeds from a pomegranate without staining your clothes, cut the fruit into quarters, then submerge it in a bowl of room-temperature water. While keeping the fruit under water, use your fingers to pry the seeds loose. The seeds will burst in the water, not all over your shirt.

Drink #2: The Big Apple

This cocktail combines sliced apples, sparkling wine, Calvados, and sparkling apple cider. Fizzy and slightly sweet, it’s a delicious way to kick of a fall dinner party or Thanksgiving dinner.
(Serves about 6 people)

1 bottle sparkling wine (I used Barefoot Sparkling Chardonnay, which has notes of apple and pear)
6 Tbsp. Calvados (I used Christian Drouin) [link: http://www.coeur-de-lion.com]
1 apple, sliced into thin ½-inch long pieces
1 small bottle sparkling apple cider (I used Martinelli’s)

Using a spoon, place the apple slices into six Champagne or wine glasses; aim for an equal amount of apples in each glass. Pour 1 Tbsp. Calvados into each glass. Add the sparkling wine, pouring slowly, then refilling so each glass is about halfway full. Top off each glass with a splash of sparkling cider. Use a small spoon to stir each drink. Serve immediately, while the wine is still bubbly.