Cranberry Inspirations For Your New Year's Festivities

Here are a two cranberry themed drinks and an appetizer that are sure to please all your New Year's guests! Happy New Year Everyone!

Crantinis
1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup citrus vodka or plain vodka
1/4 cup Triple Sec or orange juice
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Fresh cranberries, if desired Lime slices, if desired

Fill martini shaker or 3 cup covered container half full with ice. Add all ingredients except cranberries and lime slices; cover and shake. Pour into martini or tall stemmed glasses, straining the ice. Garnish glasses with fresh cranberries and lime slices on picks.

Cranberry Fizz
1 quart (4 cups) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
1 cup grapefruit juice, chilled
1 cup orange juice, chilled
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups ginger ale, chilled

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, mix cranberry juice cocktail, grapefruit juice, orange juice and sugar until well blended. Just before serving, stir in ginger ale.

Camembert with Cranberry Caramelized Onions
1 tablespoon butter
1 small sweet onion, halved, thinly sliced
1 (8 oz) round Camembert Cheese
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sweet or dry sherry
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 8-10 minutes or until very tender, stirring frequently. Meanwhile, place cheese in ungreased decorative ovenproof shallow baking dish or plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is soft. Add cranberries, brown sugar, salt and sherry to onion; mix well. Cook 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Stir in marjoram; cook and stir 1 minute. To serve, spoon warm onion mixture over cheese. Serve with assorted crackers and small cocktail bread slices. Store in refrigerator. Serves 12 people.

Recipes can be found at www.pillsbury.com