The 4 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails
Thanksgiving Cocktails & Drinks Recipes
This holiday season, enjoy a Thanksgiving cocktail while making that delicious turkey, or just relaxing and enjoying the smells of someone else doing it.
Creamy Apple Cider
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
½ orange, halved
4 cloves
3 cups apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
Brandy, to taste (recommended one shot, or 1.5 oz., per serving, so 4 shots here)
1 cup heavy cream, whipped to soft
Directions:
1.Stick the cloves into the orange halves.
2.In a medium saucepan, add the cider, cinnamon, and oranges and bring it to a simmer.
3.When serving, add a shot of brandy to the cup first.
4.Pour the apple cider mixture into a cup while it is still warm.
5.Add a big dollop of the whipped cream.
Spiked Hot Cocoa
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
8-10 oz. hot cocoa
½ oz. amaretto
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings optional
Directions:
1.Make the hot cocoa using water or milk and pour into a mug.
2.Add the schnapps and the amaretto, if you choose to add it, and stir in well.
3.Garnish the hot cocoa with a big dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if you choose.
Mulled Red Sangria
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 bottle red table wine, preferably Spanish
¼ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup brandy
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 orange, thin slices
1 lemon, thin slices
Directions:
1.Combine the wine, juice, brandy, and sugar in a medium-size saucepan over low heat, just until the sugar has melted down.
2.Add the orange and lemon slices, and simmer for five minutes.
3.Serve it in glasses that can stand some heat, while the sangria is still hot.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
½ oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. pumpkin spice liqueur
½ oz. Kahlua
½ oz. butterscotch schnapps
½ oz. half & half
Crushed graham crackers
Cinnamon stick
Directions:
1.Combine the vanilla vodka, pumpkin spice liqueur, Kahlua, butterscotch schnapps, and half & half in a shaker that is filled with ice.
2.Shake well and strain the mixture into a large, chilled martini glass that is rimmed with the crushed graham crackers.
3.Garnish with the cinnamon stick and enjoy.
Gingered Cranberry Cocktail
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients (ginger syrup):
4-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
½ cup sugar
1 ½ cup water
Ginger syrup directions:
1.Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer on low heat until the sugar dissolves, about 20 minutes.
2.Strain the syrup and cool completely before using.
Ingredients (drink):
1 cup frozen cranberries
1 lime, juiced
2 cups gin (can substitute vodka)
2 cups cranberry juice
Splash of club soda
Directions:
1.Crush the frozen cranberries in a large glass pitcher (or in another bowl and then transfer them).
2.Add lime juice and the juiced wedges, vodka, cranberry juice, and a cup of the ginger syrup (or to taste).
3.Place some ice into a low-ball glass and fill the glass about ⅔ full of the mixture.
4.Top it off with some club soda and garnish with fresh ginger shavings.
