Thanksgiving

This Franco-American combination of bourbon and bubbles gives you another reason to be thankful. It doubles easily to accommodate the number of guests around your holiday table.

Try this pumpkin-infused vodka in the Smashing Pumpkin Martini, or use it to invent a holiday cocktail of your own.The bar at Fifty Seven Fifty Seven in New York City, where it was created, uses a liter-sized Stolichnaya bottle to hold the vodka-pumpkin mixture while it steeps.

For a cold version of this cocktail, pour rum over ice in a large glass and top off with apple juice or sparkling cider.

If you're expecting a crowd, mix up a pitcher of these drinks ahead of time and refrigerate. Pour over ice and garnish with lime wedges just before serving.

This is also very good served hot.

Cranberries are cultivated in Canada, and tradition there calls for hosts to make a punch for Christmas guests. Here, the crop and the custom merge in a delightful champagne cocktail, which takes a French turn with the addition of crème de cassis.

We preferred pure cranberry juice in this recipe but it's possible to substitute the more commonly available cranberry juice cocktail  — simply omit the sugar called for.

Try floating some fresh strawberries in the punch for a nice presentation.

A lovely champagne cocktail.