Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Halloween Cocktail

Entertaining

Easy Fall Drink Recipe 

Here's a fun, easy and delicious new drink to mix up for guests at your Halloween celebration this year. I just love this creative and spooky twist on this classic party drink  by Leigh Ann Chatagnier of MyDiaryofUs and I think you will too. After all, why should all the Halloween fun be limited to the kids? This original Spiced Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail is the perfect adult only treat for mom and dad, especially as nights gets chilly. This also be easily made without liquor for  a non-alcohol drink both kids and sober adults will appreciate.

Spiced Caramel Apple Hot Toddy 

Cocktail Recipe

Make this for the grownups with bourbon or just leave out the liquor for a non-alcohol version that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Time to Make: 15 mins or less
Makes 2 Drinks

Ingredients

• 3 oz Bulleit Bourbon
• 1 cup Apple Cider
• 1/8 cup Fresh Orange Juice + 1 Whole Orange Slice
• 8 Caramel Candies
• 1 Splash of Water
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 2 Star Anise
• 8 Whole Cloves
• 2 Apple Slices for Garnish

Directions

1. In small saucepan combine apple cider, orange juice, 4 caramel candies, cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slice, and whole cloves. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until fragrant and caramels have melted.

2. In two heat safe glasses, add 1-1/2 oz of bourbon each.

3. Take the remaining caramels and add a splash of water to a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute until caramels are melted smooth. Alternately, melt caramels in separate pot on stove.

4. Strain the warmed spiced caramel apple cider into each glass equally, stir with the bourbon. Then garnish each with an apple slice and drizzle melted caramels over the rim of each glass.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy.

About Leigh Ann Chatagnier

Leigh Ann is founder of My Diary of Us, a site where she invites visitors into her family's kitchen to cook with her. Born in Tennessee and inspired by the food of Louisiana, she now lives in Houston, Texas with her hubbie and son. A frequent guest on Houston Life and Home & Family on The Hallmark Channel and NBC Syndicated Daytime, she is the author of two cookbooks, Natural Baby & Toddler Treats: Homemade, Nourishing Recipes for Baby and Beyond (2019) and The Unexpected Cajun Kitchen: Classic Cuisine with a Twist of Farm-to-Table Freshness (2016).

For more fun and delicious ideas follow check out Leigh's Ann new cookbook. 

Recipes/Photos reprinted with permission by 
Leigh Ann Chatagnier / MyDiaryofUs.com

Disney The Lion King Bluray Giveaway Review

Movies

MBE partnered with Disney Studios for this review and giveaway

Animation You'll be Convinced is Live Action

One of my favorite Disney movies to see on the big screen this year is The Lion King (2019). Now available on Digital and starting October 22, audiences will be also be able to enjoy this technologically-advanced family movie masterpiece on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. 

Amazingly Real Looking Animation, Image courtesy of Disney

The storyline -- the drama of a lion cub, the dad he looks up to, and the wicked uncle who seeks to rise above them both to crown himself king of the jungle -- follows the 1994 original animated movie closely.

Talent Behind & In Front of the Cameras

Using Disney's The Jungle Book (2016), which won an Oscar for best achievement in visual effects as the foundation, Director Jon Favreau took this year's The Lion King remake to the next level. The result in his latest endeavor is animals and scenery that looks as real as what I personally experienced on my family's dream trip African safari earlier this year. 

With original songs by Tim Rice and Elton John, performances by Beyonce (who also plays the voice of Nala), and magnificent voice over articulations by icons like James Earl Ray as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejofor (the evil Scar), Donald Glover as Simba and Seth Rogen (the comical Pumbaa), this is a film multiple generations will appreciate in various ways.

However, as speaking from the perspective of a mom, as much as I think this is technically amazing, I have to tell you that this movie is rated PG. It's rated that way for good reason: there are several very realistic-looking, graphic sequences of violence and peril that may be way too scary for younger and more sensitive viewers. So you'll definitely want to consider that before your kids watch this.

Janis Elspas on a Safari With Family in Africa

The Lion King Blu-ray Bonus Extras

• The Journey To The Lion King Documentary
• More To Be Scene
• Spirit Beyonce Music Video
• Song Selection Sing Along With the Movie
• Audio Commentary with Director Jon Favreau
• And More

Disney The Lion King Giveaway

Disney The Lion King Movie

MBE Giveaway

on Instagram

Thanks to Disney Studios, ONE (1) lucky MBE giveaway participant will win the new Disney The Lion King Blu-ray DVD combo movie. To enter this Disney The Lion King Mommy Blog Expert is hosting, visit this MBE Instagram post. Contest open to US residents only and qualifying winners will be selected at random. Hurry, this giveaway ends October 31, 2019 at 12 am PST/3 am EST. Disney Studios is providing the prize and is responsible for delivery to winner.

More About Disney's The Lion King

Learn more about Disney's The Lion King, visit the official movie website as well as follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

FREE Halloween Pumpkin Carving Templates

Crafts

DIY Pumpkin Stencils & Other Clever Ideas

Looking for the best DIY pumpkin carving ideas for Halloween ever? We've got you covered with more than 100 FREE downloadable stencils and templates for every level of pumpkin crafter from beginner to intermediate and advanced. From scary to fun to just plain creative and easy, you will find something for every taste and style.

Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Everyone

• Pumpkin designs for kids and adults featuring traditional Halloween icons like witches, black crows, skulls, and haunted houses
• Pumpkin templates featuring your favorite Disney and other movie characters
• Pumpkin ideas to carve the likeness of your favorite person or pet
• Trendy, of the moment stencils of sloths, unicorns and all the rest
• Even some no-carve, super easy pumpkin craft inspiration sources

Free Printable Pumpkin Templates & More

So if you haven't already gotten started, now's the time to find your perfect pumpkin to carve before they run out from your favorite store, roadside farmstand or you pick pumpkin farm. Then, start planning this year's pumpkin design by grabbing one or as many as you'd like of the pumpkin carving ideas we want to share with our readers.

Lots of Kids Characters Pumpkin Carving Templates from PBS Parents
Featuring beloved classics and contemporary: Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Sesame Street, Arthur and others

Scary Pumpkin Carving Templates from HGTV

30 Days of Painted No-Carve Pumpkins from Martha Stewart

31 Best Pumpkin Carving & Crafts also from Martha Stewart

Movie Characters, Politicians + More Templates from Celebrating Halloween

The Good Dinosaur Arlo Pumpkin Template based on the Disney Pixar movie

43 Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Carving Stencils from Popsugar

Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns + More from The Pumpkin Lady

Pumpkin Carving for Families Templates from Pumpkin Pile

Printable Pumpkin Stencils from Better Homes & Gardens

Sloth Pumpkin Stencil and more from Pumpkin Stencils

Click Image to Download this 

Simba Stencil

Bookmark this page NOW &

Watch for New Ideas We Add

Happy Halloween!

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Easy DIY Hand Dip Chocolate with Store-Bought Candy Bars 
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