New York Spot-Light: Whitman and Bloom Liquor Company

Deciding where to grab a drink (and possibly nosh on something tasty) in Manhattan's bar-heavy Kip's Bay can be tough for even the savviest sipper. If you're in the mood for artisanal cocktails and/ or made-to-be-shared, locally-sourced rustic new American fare, consider stopping at the 19th Century retreat-inspired Whitman and Bloom on 3rd Ave between 27th and 28th Streets. I recently attended the launch of the restaurant's winter menu and sampled a few seasonal cocktails.

The bartender mixed cocktails with masterful nonchalance 

(See my thoughts on the cocktails after the jump)

Sale Scoop: Shoedazzle's Black Friday Deals

Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on all the things you're thankful for while (hopefully) enjoying a hearty meal with the people you love most. For most bargain-savvy folks, though,  Turkey Day is really more of a major carb load before the grueling workout that is Black Friday.  If you're anything like me, though, you prefer the warm comforts of Cyber Monday. Whatever your preference, Shoedazzle has a little something for you (ESPECIALLY if you're a VIP member). 

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Friday from 6 AM to midnight PST, everyone gets an extra 30% off all sale items, and VIP members get 30% off regular-priced boots and booties. VIP members also get 30% off regular-priced handbags from 5 AM to noon PST.

Monday from 6 AM to midnight PST, there's a BOGO for VIP members. Buy an item from Rachel Zoe's gift guide, and get another item of equal or lesser value for free. (In case you're thinking of sending me your free item as a reward for sharing this deal, I'd love the "Well Heeled" bracelet or the "I Want Shoes" necklace.)

Booze Clues: 5 Tasty Thanksgiving Cocktails

There's seldom any guesswork when planning the Thanksgiving meal menu. Most of us have traditional family recipes and specialty dishes each year. However, deciding what to tipples to drink on Turkey Day can be a bit of of a challenge. Here are a few seasonal sipper suggestions that are sure to please. Visiting someone else's table this year? Arriving with at least one of these recipes and the necessary ingredients will ensure next year's invitation.

Sweet Potato Smash

In a shaker combine

2 parts Bärenjäger honey and bourbon

1 scoop of sweet potato puree

3 sage leaves

1/2 part of orange juice

Shake all ingredients well with ice, fine strain into a rocks glass full of fresh ice. Garnish with a sage leaf or an orange slice.

The Cosmopolitan Pilgrim

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In a shaker combine

1.5 parts American Harvest

2 scoops of cranberry sauce

3/4 parts fresh lime juice

1/4 part orange liqueur

 Add ice and shake well, strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Mulled Crown Royal Maple Finished Apple Cider

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4 cups apple cider

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon whole cloves

8 strips orange zest

1 cup Crown Royal Maple Finished Whisky

¼ cup Triple Sec

Orange slices and additional cinnamon sticks for garnish

1.       In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the apple cider and brown sugar.  Stir in the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and orange zest.  Bring the cider barely to a simmer and remove from the heat.    Stir in the Crown Royal Maple Finished Whisky and Triple Sec.

2.       Place a slice of orange and cinnamon stick in each glass and pour the mulled cider over.

Smashed Pumpkin

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1 oz Wild Turkey Spiced

1/4 oz almond liqueur 

1/4 oz cinnamon schnapps 

2 oz pumpkin pie filling

1/2 oz heavy cream

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Fresh nutmeg grated on top

Spiced Bubbles

Spiced Boubon/Solerno Reduction:  

2 sticks cinnamon, 

6 cloves 

3 star anise 

2 tablespoons chai tea* 

750mL Bourbon 

750mL Solerno 

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer for 20mins.  Strain and cool.

Orange Cordial:   

8 large oranges, peeled and segmented 

1/2 cup superfine sugar 

1.5 cups fresh squeezed orange juice.  

Combine ingredients in a large jar and seal.  Let sit 3-4 days, shaking ingredients 2x daily.  Strain and store for up to 7 days in a refrigerator.

Cocktail: 

0.5oz spiced bourbon reduction 

0.5oz Orange cordial 

Top with Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne. Build in flute and garnish with orange twist.

*Bonus Boozy Dessert!!!!

Azuñia Pumpkin Spice Pudding

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1 cup baked pumpkin
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of raw walnuts
1 tbsp. of vanilla extract
1 tbsp. of cinnamon
1 tbsp. of pumpkin pie spice
4-5 tbsp. of  Azuñia Organic Agave Nectar
2 tbsp. of Azuñia  Reposado OrganicTequila

Instructions:
Bake pumpkin-
Remove stem, halve and remove seeds
Bake on a cookie sheet covered with a thin layer of water (about ½ an inch)           
pumpkin flesh side down for 45 minutes at 425 Degrees
Remove pumpkin from rind
Left over pumpkin will last 5-7 days in refrigerator

Blend: Water, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, Azuñia agave nectar, Azuñia Reposado Tequila and walnuts in blender to a thick paste.  Slowly add pumpkin till a thick creamy consistency.  Refrigerate for 1 hour, can be topped with cinnamon, walnuts and a drizzle of agave and tequila.