Naughty & Nice, Sugar & Spice Holiday Cocktails

To start off this Holiday Season just right, here’s a bit of Sugar & Spice to make everything nice.

Growing-up in the Southwest, the holidays have always included two key flavor components: Sugar & Spice.

Our Christmas morning table was always packed with an array of tamales, we would have a little bit of guacamole with Mexican egg & green chile frittata while our stockings were stuffed with sweet treats of candy canes, gummies and chocolates.

Of course as a child we would take a bite of breakfast and then sneak a few bites from our stockings — which is why I always think of Sugar & Spice when it comes to Christmas.

I wanted to share this oh so sweet & spicy “Southwestern Christmas tradition” with you, so I hopped in my sleigh and went straight to the experts.

EXPERTS in SPICE: El Segundo SOL at Fashion Show

EXPERTS in SUGAR: Sugar Factory at Fashion Show

And here is my gift to you, Holiday Cocktail Recipes that celebrate these seasonal flavors. It’s fun to pair them with either a little bit of Sugar or a little bit of Spice. Make them yourself at home or pop in for a much need Christmas shopping break to El Segundo SOL and Sugar Factory at Fashion Show Las Vegas to try them crafted from the experts.

While you’re there, don’t forget to grab your photo with Santa or check out Holiday Stroll, a festive walk-through experience featuring a look into Santa’s Workshop and a magical Winter Wonderland. You can even enjoy free gift wrapping from the Gift Wrap Girls while you’re experiencing the holiday magic!

From El Segundo SOL

Pear Moscow Mule

1 1/2 oz Sky Pear Vodka
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Ginger Beer
Lime Wedge for Garnish

Combine Vodka and lime juice in a Moscow Mule mug. Fill with ice. Top with Ginger Beer and garnish with lime wedge.

Spicy Peach Mimosa

1 oz Peach Tree Schnapps
1 1/2 oz Orange Juice
2 oz Champagne
Tanjin and Sugar for rim

Rim a Champagne glass with Tanjin and Sugar. Pour Peach Schnapps and Orange Juice into glass. Top with Champagne.

From Sugar Factory

Poinsettia Punch

4 oz Cherry Vodka
2 oz Triple Sec
3 oz Sparkling White Wine or Champagne
2 oz Grenadine
1 oz Simple Syrup
6 oz Cranberry Juice
Gummy Christmas trees and Candy Canes for Garnish

In a Shaker combine Cherry Vodka, Triple Sec, Grenadine, Simple Syrup and Cranberry Juice.

Shake and pour over ice in a large goblet. Top with Sparkling Wine/Champagne. Garnish with Candy Canes and Gummy Christmas Trees.

Santa’s Snowflake

4 oz Coconut Rum
2 oz Blue Raspberry TORANI Syrup
2 oz Simple Syrup
10 oz Pineapple Juice
Gummy Snowmen and Candy Canes for Garnish

In a shaker combine Coconut Rum, TORANI Syrup and Pineapple Juice.

Shake and pour over ice in a large goblet. Garnish with Candy Canes and Gummy Snowmen.

Mistletoe Mule

6 oz cherry Vodka
5 oz Ginger Beer
6 oz Cranberry Juice
2 oz Grenadine
.5 oz Lime Juice
1 oz Cherry or Simple Syrup
Jelly Wreaths and Cherry Gummies for garnish

In a shaker combine Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Grenadine, Lime Juice and Simple Syrup.

Shake and pour over ice in a large goblet. Top with Ginger Beer. Garnish with Gummies and Jelly Wreaths.

* This post was created in partnership with Fashion Show Las Vegas. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Manly Gifting with The Art of Shaving

Stumped on what to get the dude in your life this holiday season?

Dudes are hard to shop for. They just are. Either they are the type of guy who needs EVERYTHING or the type that doesn’t need ANYTHING which leaves the gift giver in the awkward position of “OMG what the heck am I going to get him”.

Well, I have the PERFECT solution that is totally luxurious yet uber manly, feels a little dangerous (but in a good way) and is always a perfect fit, a gift card for the Barber Spa at The Art of Shaving in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.

This Barber Spa is retro outfitted with dudely vintage barber chairs where menfolk can go for a range of services, including a beard/mustache trim, a haircut or my hubby’s favorite a classic straight-razor shave.

Let me start by saying, according to my husband there is nothing like a straight razor shave. Its one of those things EVERY guy should experience at least once in his life! (After watching this process I wish gals could get it done on their legs!)

Imagine laying back in an old school barber chair, then having your face cleansed with a super-cool modern barber tool, The Power Brush (for you ladies it’s like the manly version of a Clarisonic).

Next a hot towel is applied to your face. Not only does the hot towel feel AMAZING the treatment also warms the skin and open up the pores preparing it for the shave.

After the towel is removed a luxe warm shaving lather is massaged into your skin. The lather cleanses the face of any debris and dead skin and it raises the hairs to make for precise removal.

Now comes the first shave where the barber shaves with the grain. This step is a “once-over” to remove the bulk of the hair.

I asked my husband before if at this stage when the razor is coming towards him does he have Sweeney Todd fearful flashbacks but he laughed and said no its incredibly relaxing and not at all scary.

Next a second lather is applied and then a second shave. This is the close shave where they shave against the grain to really perfect the hair removal and get any strays that were missed in the first shave.

Another Hot Towel is then applied and then The Art of Shaving’s After Shave Mask which rejuvenates the look of skin as it cleanses. It contains a unique blend of calming essential oils, hydrating rose water and purifying white kaolin clay absorbs excess oils and tones the skin. This mask is also great to use at home because it’s unique blend of 100% botanical ingredients provides relief from razor burn. (Stocking Stuffer idea!)

The mask is then removed with sponges, a cold towel infused with Lavender Oil is applied to help close the pores, a spritz of toner, a massage of moisturizer and the process is complete.

Your skin will feel softer and more supple than it ever has.

Pick him up a Gift Card for the full experience at The Art of Shaving in The Forum Shops at Caesars (ask for Troy my husbands favorite barber).

You can also grab him some great skincare and shaving products to use at home:

Tags:Christmas Gift Guide Christmas Gift Ideas for Guys Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Gifts for Guys Holiday Gift Ideas Holiday Gift Ideas for Guys Straight Razor Shave The Art of Shaving The Art of Shaving Las Vegas.

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