The invitations offered the right touch of glamour, your seasonal decor is worthy of a magazine cover and your food will be the envy of hostesses everywhere.

The one last ingredient you need for a magical holiday party is just the right festive cocktail. Why not whip up some of these, crafted by bartenders, chefs and restaurateurs? Serve them at home, and they're sure to make everyone merry and bright.

Peppermint Martini

This one offers equal parts fire and ice for a delightful bit of frostbite.

You can add a few drops of pomegranate juice to infuse a rosy glow.

Serves 4

10 ounces pepper vodka, such as Absolut

4 ounces white creme de menthe

1 ounce peppermint schnapps

Ice

Mini candy canes for garnish

1. In a tall martini pitcher, mix liquors with ice.

2. Strain into frosty glasses; garnish with candy canes.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 288 calories, trace fat, 12 grams carbohydrates, 0 grams protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 2 milligrams sodium, 0 grams dietary fiber, 2 percent of calories from fat.

Manhattan Holiday

A variation on a New York classic.

Serves 4

1 orange, halved

2 tablespoons whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

10 ounces bourbon

2 ounces sweet vermouth

Bing cherries and cinnamon sticks for garnish

1. Stud orange halves with cloves.

2. Place the clove-studded orange and cinnamon stick in a medium-size glass container. Fill the container with bourbon.

3. Cover and allow mixture to infuse at room temperature for at least 48 hours.

4. When ready to serve, fill shaker half full with cubed ice. Strain and pour bourbon mixture into shaker.

5. Add sweet vermouth to shaker. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain and pour mixture into four chilled martini glasses.

6. Garnish each drink with a cherry and cinnamon stick.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 225 calories, 1 gram fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 13 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 18 percent of calories from fat.

Pumpkin Spice Martini

This goes nicely with everything from jazzed-up party nuts to gingerbread cookies.

Serves 1

2 ounces vodka

1 ounce vanilla-flavored vodka, such as Svedka

1 ounce chai-flavored liqueur, such as Voyant

Ground cinnamon

Cinnamon stick for garnish

1. Mix the vodkas, chai liqueur and ground cinnamon in a martini shaker.

Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.

2. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 263 calories, trace fat, trace carbohydrates, trace protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium, 0 grams dietary fiber, 8 percent of calories from fat.

The Grinch

It will melt his heart.

Serves 1

2 ounces Midori (melon liqueur)

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon simple syrup (see note)

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a

chilled martini glass.

2. If you like, garnish with a maraschino cherry.

(Note: To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat, stirring, just until sugar dissolves. Cool.)

Nutritional analysis per serving: 159 calories, 0 grams fat, 3 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 1 milligram sodium, 0 grams dietary fiber, 0 percent of calories from fat.

Spiked Apple Cider

This kicky apple cider is made from scratch, with fresh apple cider, sugar and cinnamon sticks, with brandy for extra fuel.

Serves 4

24 ounces apple cider

6 cinnamon sticks, divided

8 ounces brandy

1 tablespoon red hot candies

1. In a saucepan, combine cider and 2 cinnamon sticks. Heat on low, simmering about 10 minutes. Cool and remove cinnamon sticks.

2. Pour into glass mugs or highball glasses, top each with 1/4 cup brandy.

3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and float red hots on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 225 calories, trace fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 7 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 2 percent of calories from fat.

Rudolph Martini

Have plenty of ho-ho-ho in your holiday cocktail.

Serves 1

Decorative green sugar

1/4 teaspoon chocolate syrup

1 1/4 ounces Effen Black Cherry Vodka

1/2 ounce white creme de cacao

Splash of half-and-half

Ice cubes

Cherry for garnish

Chocolate-coated red licorice sticks, such as Twizzlers

1. Rim a martini glass with decorative green sugar. Place chocolate

syrup in bottom of glass.

2. In a shaker, combine vodka, creme de cacao and half-and-half with ice cubes. Shake and strain into prepared glass.

3. Garnish with cherry and two chocolate-red licorice sticks.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 146 calories, 1 gram fat, 9 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 5 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 17 percent of calories from fat.

-McLatchy Newspapers