Aperol Spritzes Are Going to Be THE Drink of Summer 2017

Brit + Co Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Chocolate Martini

Did someone order a boozy chocolate drink? If so, your best bet is to serve them this scrumptious chocolate martini. This mix of chocolate liqueur, vodka, and more will make them feel so toasty. (via Brit + Co)

Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail

Santa may want an alternative to milk and cookies when he comes to visit. To give him a proper send-off, leave this Christmas cocktail beside the peppermint bark you baked earlier in the evening. (via Brit + Co)

Christmas Margarita

This Christmas cocktail recipe just sent a shiver down our spines! It's a tasteful blend of Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, tequila, and a splash of tequila. It's perfect for anyone who's taking a non-traditional approach to Christmas! (via Brit + Co)

Peppermint White Russian

Peppermint cocktail recipes are mandatory if you're wiped out by the Elf On The Shelf festivities. (via Brit + Co)

Peppermint White Christmas

This Christmas cocktail has the perfect blend of peppermint and vanilla, but get this — your guests' taste buds won't see this flavor coming! It makes for a pleasant surprise that'll have them asking for more. (via Brit + Co)

Winter Aperol Spritz

A light and refreshing Aperol spritz is just the thing you need after spending time cooking a cozy Christmas eve dinner. (via Brit + Co)

Other Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Hula on Ice

This is *the* cocktail you need this holiday season. With bright notes of pineapple and coconut meddling with spiced rum, chai and a tea-based syrup, this drink is easy to make and perfect for any gathering — big or small. (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Rum-Soaked Cherry Soothers

Fresh cherries and rum. That’s it — and that’s all you’ll ever want after you sip on one of these beauty shooters. This sweet and spiced drink is a fantastic boozy dessert or nightcap for the holiday season. (via Highwalls)

Ruby Thyme Spritzer

We love brunch and we love cocktails — who doesn’t? But there’s more to choose from than the usual mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys. This spritzer combines your morning fruit juice with fresh thyme to create a herbaceous cocktail that will pair wonderfully with your waffles or eggs benny. (via Garlic and Zest)

Candy Cane Cocktail With Homemade Candy Cane Infused Vodka

\We’re used to seeing the candy cane incorporated into desserts and hot cocoas, but cocktails? Sign us up! This ruby-hued drink is as festive as it gets. (via Boulder Locavore)

Gingerbread White Russian

This rich and creamy classic gets a nice kick with the addition of ginger beer. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, gingersnaps get an invitation to the party too. Milk and cookies, please take a back seat. (via Bijoux and Bits)

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

If your heart lies with fall flavors — even around the winter holidays — these apple cider sangrias are a fab way to indulge. They’re crisp, refreshing and won’t weigh you down. (via Pizzazzerie)

Berry Limoncello Sangria

Nothing can brighten up a drink more than the tang and sweetness from limoncello. This fruity and flavorful sangria brings berries to the equation for a full flavor that can’t be denied. This just *might* end up being your go-to sangria from now on. (via Cafe Delites)

Jack Frost Cocktail

This icy blue drink is totally as delish as it looks! Though we’ll admit, the blue Curacao, pineapple juice and coconut cream will tease you with a hint of summer. (via The Blond Cook)

Salted Caramel White Russians

If your love for cocktails knows no bounds and adventure is your middle name, these sweet and herbaceous drinks will be a slurp-worthy dream come true. Traditional White Russians get dolled up with amaretto, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce and some chocolate and rosemary for extra WOW factor. (via Kate la Vie)

Eggnog Cocktail

It’s not really the holidays until you break out that ‘nog. This spiced, rich and creamy delicacy is yearned for all year long, so celebrating its arrival makes sense — and adding it to a cocktail is *clearly* the only way to celebrate. (via The Adventures of Bob and Shan)

Christmas Cookie Martini

A cookie-inspired martini is apparently a thing, and we are losing our collective minds. If you’re not into baking but most definitely into drinking, let this be your dessert. (via I’m Bored Let’s Go)

Bourbon Apple Cider Shrub Cocktails

A shrub takes some planning and some patience, but boy-oh-boy is it ever worth the wait. Apples and bourbon become buddies in this elixir, and it’s kind of the best thing ever. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Melting Snowmen Cupcakes

Save these snowman Christmas cupcakes from melting by simply scarfing 'em down! The entire holiday party will go bonkers over the detailed decorations, too. (via Brit + Co)

Reindeer Cupcakes

You need these Christmas cupcakes in your life right now! Break them out while watching your fave Hallmark Christmas movies, and they’ll put you in the most perfect mood. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Christmas Light Cupcakes

The M&M "bulbs" on these little trees have a totally 3D effect. It’s so cool, and the technique is so easy, even the littlest bakers in the house can get in on the decorating action. (via Baked Bree)

Tall Christmas Tree Cupcakes

The secret to building these green trees as tall as possible is ice cream cones. Set some on top of your Christmas cupcakes, then go crazy with the piping bag! (via Averie Cooks)

Santa Hat Cupcakes

Here’s a festive Christmas cupcake that requires zero special decorating tools. Just pipe on store-bought icing straight from the tube, then add mini marshmallows and voila — a jolly Santa hat! (via Frugal Mom Eh!)

White Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting

This recipe reminds us of our fave Starbucks holiday drink, the Peppermint White Mocha. When anything sweet and minty comes in dessert form, we're there. (via Amanda Wilens)

Bourbon Eggnog Cupcakes

Eggnog is *the* signature drink of the holiday season, and baking it into some Christmas cupcakes only makes it better. (via Barley & Sage)

Festive Cranberry Orange Cupcakes

Cranberry and orange flavors team up alongside pistachio in these vegan cupcakes that'll put the finishing touches on your Christmas dinner. (via A Virtual Vegan)

Snowman Cupcakes

These jolly little guys are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Keep your phone handy to snap some Insta pics while you bake, because they’re guaranteed to rack up the likes. (via Little Sunny Kitchen)

Ultimate Chocolate Reindeer Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes are made from the very best chocolate batter you’ll ever taste, then topped with a giant swirl of chocolate ganache. Add a peanut-butter cup head, an M&Ms nose, and candy cane antlers, and they’ll be utterly irresistible. (via Hungry Happenings)

Snowman Cupcakes

These little treats are *snow* good. They're topped with donut holes, so you're basically getting two desserts in one! Both pieces are rolled in confectioner’s sugar before assembling, making this cupcake doubly-sweet. (via Bakerella)

Rudolph the Reindeer Cupcakes

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer… had a shiny gumball nose! Your littlest guests will be wow-ed to see their fave Christmas character make an appearance on your dessert table. (via Crafty Morning)

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

The base of this holiday cupcake is the richest double-fudge cake batter you’ll ever taste. Prepare for the onslaught, because everyone will be asking for the recipe! (via Frugal Mom Eh!)

Blackberry Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream

Blackberries remind us so much of the winter season. If you want to serve some fruity Christmas cupcakes this year, this easy recipe is your best bet! Just wait 'til you try that buttercream. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Chai Latte Cupcakes

The warm spices included in chai will also warm your heart as you begin to bake these Christmas cupcakes for the fam. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Easy Snowman Cupcakes

These snowmen are super festive, and they come together fairly quickly using ingredients that you probably already have on-hand. Be sure to finish them off with a generous avalanche of granulated sugar to make them extra sweet. (via One Little Project)

North Pole Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes get their jolly flair from a peppermint stick decorated like the North Pole. How cute are these?! (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)

Gingerbread Cupcakes

Cookies + cupcakes = dessert overload. But we're here for it! Each bite of these Christmas cupcakes will bring forth that warm, fuzzy feeling. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Polar Bear Paw Footprint Cupcakes

These polar bear paw-print cupcakes look just like little teddy bear paws. And the clever coconut "fur" makes them just as sweet to look at as they are to eat. (via One Little Project)

Mickey Mouse Santa Hat Cupcakes

Hold onto your holiday Mickey Mouse ears, because everyone’s fave Santa hat cupcakes just got a cartoonish twist. Your new favorite Christmas cupcakes have arrived! (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Christmas season has not truly arrived until you spend a morning sipping on hot chocolate. Be sure to invite a few friends over, because treats this sweet treat must be shared. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Mini Polar Bear Cupcakes

Sprinkles and candies make for the cutest little cupcake faces. These baby bears would be super adorable at a winter wonderland-themed party. (via Bakerella)

Vegan Gingerbread Cupcakes with Snowmen

This vegan gingerbread cupcake base will enchant you and your guests even further once you top them with tiny lil' snowmen. (via Earthly Provisions)

Strawberry Santa Hat Cupcakes

These Christmas cupcakes are as healthy as they get – with a darling strawberry Santa hat! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Elle remembers "sobbing" during one particularly emotional Dakota Fanning movie.

“When Elle’s in anything, it makes me feel it deeper,” Dakota Fanning said at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit on December 3. “She never can fully disappear into a character totally for me as her sister. She obviously does an amazing job, but I’m always gonna see my little sister a little bit.”

And Elle is just as touched by Dakota's roles, and remembers "uncontrollably sobbing" after seeing Now Is Good, a movie where Dakota's character was dying of cancer. “Because it was my sister, I had a real traumatic reaction after that premiere and the screening,” Elle says. “Obviously the acting, but it was something felt on a deeper level.”

“I’m doing this job, I’m an actor because my sister started before me and I watched her,” Elle continues. “I wanted to do exactly what my big sister wanted to do.”

And their movies have also made an impact on everyone who watches them.

When Brit + Co caught up with Dakota Fanning at the world premiere of The Watchers, I had to ask about one of her most iconic movies: Uptown Girls. "I love it," she says of TikTok memes and edits giving the movie new life. "It's nostalgic for people who are kind of around my age, who grew up watching that movie, I think it's like a comfort movie for people. And so I love that people are still revisiting it and loving it. And maybe now that everyone's older [they're] understanding different things about it."

Dakota starred opposite Brittany Murphy, who also had roles in movies like Clueless, 8 Mile, and Girl, Interrupted. Brittany passed away in 2009 when Dakota was 15. "I loved Brittany so much and I still miss her," she says. "So anytime that she has, you know, a moment where people think about her is also nice."