To kick off this season of company, cocktails, and giving thanks, here are a few festive favorites from Tito’s Handmade Vodka. We also have one of Food + Wine’s Best New Mixologists of 2016, Jeremy Oertel, create easy cocktail recipes for everyone at home with Angry Orchard.

One thing to note is that Tito’s Handmade Vodka is distilled from corn and is certified gluten-free and produced in Austin at Texas’ oldest legal distillery. They use old-fashioned pot stills and taste-test every batch. Their process, similar to those used to make fire single malt scotches and high-end French cognacs, require more skill and effort than others, but it’s well worth it.

Pumpkin Pie Martini (above)
Tito’s colorful Pumpkin Pie Martini is far beyond basic.

Ingredients:
* 2 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
* 1 Tbsp canned pumpkin pie mix (make sure it’s canned pumpkin pie mix, and not just canned pumpkin)
* 0.5 oz spiced syrup (see recipe below)

Method:
Shake all ingredients and double strain into a coupe or martini glass.
*Use a 3″ fine mesh strainer. Mixture will strain slowly, so use a spoon to agitate the mixture in the strainer to speed up the process.

Spiced Syrup:
* 4 cinnamon sticks (3-inch size)
* 8 small slices of fresh ginger (skin on is fine)
* 1/2 of a vanilla bean (split open)
* 30 whole allspice berries
* 20-25 whole cloves (stems on)
* 6 whole star anise pods
* 2 cups of sugar
* 2 3/4 cups of water

Simmer all ingredients on low heat for 30 minutes in a 2 quart saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let steep for another 2-3 hours. Add a little water if the mixture is too viscous (resembling thickness of honey). Strain into a glass container and store in the refrigerator until needed.

Tito’s Cranberry Sparkle
Tito’s Cranberry Sparkle is bright, zesty and light, and a whole lot easier than pie.

Ingredients:
* 1.5 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
* 0.5 oz lime juice
* 0.5 oz simple syrup
* 1 Tbsp cranberry sauce (from a can)
* Splash of champagne or sparkling water

Method:
Put Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and cranberry sauce in a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously — the cranberry takes some real shakes to break down. Strain into a glass with ice, top with a splash of champagne or sparkling water, and garnish with a lime.

Orchard Toddy

Ingredients:
1 bottle Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple
4.5 oz Scotch or Irish Whiskey
2.25 oz Lemon Juice
3 oz Honey Ginger Syrup**
3 oz Water

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a Crock Pot and set at low heat. Allow to heat up and then serve and garnish with a lemon wheel studded with cloves. If using a stovetop, add all ingredients to a small saucepan and simmer over low heat. Be careful not to allow the mixture to get to hot because the alcohol will boil off.

**Honey Ginger Syrup:
2 cups Honey
1 cup Water
2 tbs Finely Chopped Peeled Ginger

Peel the ginger and then finely chop. Add all ingredients to a pot and cover. Simmer over medium to low heat for 20 min. Strain, allow to cool and store in the refrigerator

Fall Orchard Punch

Ingredients:
4 bottles Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
8 oz Vodka, Gin, or White Rum
1.5 oz Grand Marnier
3 oz Lemon Juice
6 oz Cranberry Syrup**
3 oz Raspberry Puree (Can also use strawberries)

Directions:
Add ingredients to a punch bowl except the cider. Stir to combine and then top with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. Garnish with zombie hand ice cubes and spider ice.

**Cranberry Syrup:
2 cups Cranberry Juice
1 cup sugar

Add all ingredients to the pot and simmer over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and keep refrigerated.