We know you’re focused on planning your Thanksgiving menu, but while you’re deciding on the food, don’t forget about your thirsty guests, who will need a holiday drink to properly enjoy the day. You can’t go wrong with wine, but here are some other seasonal cocktails that your guests will be thankful for.
Mulled Cider - A fall favorite that pairs perfectly with pie after a Thanksgiving feast. Mulled cider made with Cointreau, lime juice, apple cider, and cinnamon is a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz. Cointreau
- 6 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 32 oz. Cider
- 3 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 Whole star anises
- 2 Whole cloves
- 2 Oranges (thinly sliced)
- 1 Apple (thinly sliced)
Method: Boil fresh ingredients with cider. Cover and remove from heat. Pour 12 oz. Cointreau and steep for 20 minutes. Garnish with cinnamon stick and slice of apple.
Mulled Wine - This traditional German treat is also known as Gluhwein. If you're a wine-lover, this one's for you! It's also great for big parties. Just make a huge batch and leave it in a crockpot all day.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of dry red wine
- 1/2 cup of apple brandy
- Mulling spices (like this)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup water
Method: fill half a mulling spice ball with mulling spices. Mix all other ingredients in a crockpot, then add in the ball. Turn on low, stir occasionally until sugar is incorporated. Serve steaming, but not boiling. Garnish mugs with slices of orange, cinnamon sticks, etc.
Apple Rickey - This cocktail is made with Cointreau, fresh lime juice, fresh rosemary leaves, and seltzer, so it’s perfect to enjoy anytime on turkey day.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Cointreau
- 50 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 3 slices of a tart Apple
- 7 Leaves of fresh rosemary
- 4 oz. Club soda or seltzer
Method: Muddle the apple and rosemary in a Highball glass. Add Cointreau and lime juice with ice and top with club soda. Stir briefly and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a slice of apple.
Hot Toddy - When it’s cold outside, nothing warms you up from the inside out like this bourbon-infused cocktail. Sip on this one sitting by the fire.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Evan Williams Bourbon
- .5 oz. Demerara syrup
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- Lemon twist
- Orange twist
- 4 oz. Hot water
Method: Start with a heated mug. Add two cloves, the lemon twist, the orange twist and the Demerara syrup. Lightly muddle all ingredients; just enough to get the essence of the fruit. Then, add the Evan Williams Bourbon and stir with a spoon. Next, add 4 ounces of water. To top it all off, throw in a cinnamon stick and a fresh orange twist. Double strain. Flame the garnish over the drink if you'd like, and enjoy!
S'mores Cocktail - This drink is more like a dessert, with it’s Godiva Chocolate liqueur, vanilla syrup, and toasted marshmallow garnish.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Stoli Vodka
- .75 oz. Godiva Chocolate
- .5 oz. Vanilla syrup
- .75 oz. Egg white froth
Method: Once all ingredients are combined, shake, then double strain. Serve in a vintage Irish coffee glass and garnish with a toasted marshmallow, shaved Hershey's dark chocolate and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Winter White Lady - Kick off the holidays with this cocktail that looks like snow. It’s made with Cointreau, Gin, and fresh lemon juice, so it’s light and bright.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Cointreau
- 1.5 oz. Botanist Gin
- 1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
- 9 Drops of Aromatic Bitters
- 1 Egg white
Method: Combine Cointreau, the Botanist Gin, fresh lemon juice, and Aromatic Bitters into tin can. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with lemon twist.