ORLANDO, Fla. — Celebrating the holidays in style may seem like a daunting task when resources and time are limited. This year, party hosts can create festive and memorable events by utilizing creative cocktail and cooking techniques that capture the “spirits” of the season.

Van Gogh® Vodka Brand Ambassador Shelley Ouellette, suggests utilizing the flavors of the holidays to impress guests with delicious cocktails, seasonal garnishes and creative table and bar presentations.

Pumpkin Pie Martini
1 ounce Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka, 1/2 ounce Vanilla Liqueur, 1 ounce Pumpkin Liqueur, 1/2 ounce Irish Cream, splash of Butterscotch Schnapps, rim glass with graham cracker crumbs

Presentation Tip: Rim glasses with tinted sugar to create holiday sparkle; crushed candy canes, graham crackers and gingerbread cookies also provide style and flavor.

Candy Cane Coffeetini
2 ounces Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, 1 ounce Peppermint Schnapps, 1/2 ounce Cream, swirl in a touch of grenadine for color and edge glass with crushed peppermint candies, garnish with a mini candy cane

Presentation Tip: Use mini candy canes, peppermint patties and homemade holiday cookies as decorative garnishes.

Liquid Confetti
1 ounce Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry® Vodka, Splash of Blueberry Juice, 3 ounces Champagne, garnish with a skewer of fresh blueberries

Presentation Tip: Garnish cocktails with mini skewers of fresh cranberries, sliced apples, oranges, lemons and mint leaves.

“The holidays are the perfect time to let your creativity run wild,” Ouellette says. “Serve an appetizer as a cocktail with our Bombay Bloody Mary Shrimp recipe, create a unique serving bowl with a hollow pumpkin or make a statement with spiked apple cider served in cored apples. Let your imagination guide your drink menu.”

Bombay Bloody Mary Shrimp (courtesy of Chef Jon Ashton)

1/4 cup Van Gogh Vodka
16 peeled, de-veined and cooked shrimp
16 large green olives
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 28-ounce can tomatoes in juice
1/2 garlic clove
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon Tandoori spice
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
Salt and pepper

Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon lime juice in medium sized bowl, season with salt and pepper. Thread one shrimp and one olive onto a toothpick. Repeat with remaining shrimp and olives.

Place tomatoes with juice, garlic clove, green onions, 1/2 cup chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Van Gogh Vodka, tandoori spice, celery salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon of lime juice in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour Bloody Mary mixture into a shot glass or mini martini glass and garnish with a shrimp skewer.

For more party planning tips and recipes, visit Van Gogh’s 2008 Cocktail Calendar at www.VanGoghVodka.com or call 888-539-3361. Van Gogh Vodka produces the most super-premium flavored vodkas of any brand worldwide including the trend setting Espresso, Double Espresso®, Banana and Acai-Blueberry® vodkas, complemented by Classic 80-Proof Vodka and Gin.