If any of you have heard of (or read) my blog, you know I love wine, beer and cocktails. Thanksgiving is a day to get together with your loved ones, eat yourselves silly, and imbibe irresponsibly and inevitably fight about something ridiculous. At least that's how it goes down in my house.
A Thanksgiving cocktail can be one of several things: complementary to your meal, indulgent, or light and refreshing. I think all these drinks have their respective seats at the Turkey Day bar. Here are a few of my favorites...
Pumpkin Spice Martini
Found this gem of a recipe on my favorite (client) recipe site, Allrecipes.com. Nothing says Thanksgiving like pumpkin-flavored anything, and this one definitely falls in the indulgent category. Serve with dessert or hand to guests as they arrive to kick off the party with a sweet hello.
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger vanilla flavored vodka (such as Stoli®)
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey's®)
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger pumpkin flavored liqueur (such as Hiram Walker®)
1 cup ice cubes
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Pour the vanilla flavored vodka, Irish cream liqueur, and pumpkin flavored liqueur into a cocktail shaker over ice. Cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker has frosted. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to serve.
Mulled Wine
I think this one would pair well with dinner. Let it simmer gently on the stove while prepping your other ingredients, or serve while folks are enjoying football pre-dinner. It's warm without being too heavy and tastes great with hearty sides.
1 bottle of red wine (your choice but I'd go with something cheap and mild like an innocuous Merlot)
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp nutmeg
3 cloves
1 orange peel (just get a vegetable peeler and peel the outside careful not to remove any of the white pith)
1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 brandy (optional but if you don't add you're silly)
Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Set the heat to low until the mixture becomes steamy, stirring every so often to ensure the sugar dissolves evenly. After 10 or so minutes, remove the cinnamon stick, cloves and orange peel. Serve warm in wine glasses or mugs.
Cranberry Mimosa
Simple, refreshing and oh so delicious, perfect if you've had too much turkey and want something effervescent that goes down smooth.
1 oz Cranberry juice
1 oz St Germain
Sparkling Wine of your choice (I love Prosecco)
Pour cranberry juice and St Germain into a champagne flute. Top with sparking wine. Garnish with a few cranberries if you're feeling fancy.
Bottoms up, friends! Cheers!
Lindsay
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