While turkey may take center stage on Thanksgiving, a good festive cocktail can spruce up your meal and gatherings. Kick off your Thanksgiving feast with a toast to the friends and family who’ve gathered for the occasion. These cocktails are inspired by the best of the season’s ingredients, infused with fresh herbs and fruit. Recipes are courtesy of Williams-Sonoma. Cheers!
HARVESTED APPLE COCKTAIL
• 1/4 fl. oz. St. Germain
• 3/4 fl. oz. Calvados (apple brandy)
• Sparkling wine
• Apple slice for garnish
Pour the St. Germain into a coupe glass and fill halfway with sparkling wine. Top off with Calvados and garnish with an apple slice. Serves 1.
CRANBERRY MARTINI
• Ice cubes
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup dry vermouth
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 8 cranberries, frozen
• 4 lemon zest twists
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in the vodka, vermouth and cranberry juice. Cover with the lid and shake vigorously up and down for about 10 seconds. Strain into the chilled glasses, dividing evenly. Garnish each glass with 2 frozen cranberries and a lemon twist. Serves 4.
MINT GINGER ALE
• 2 T. packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Ice cubes as needed
• 2 bottles ginger ale
• Bourbon, to taste (optional)
In a small bowl, using the back of a spoon, crush the mint with the sugar and let stand for 10 minutes. In each individual glass, place a generous 1/2 tsp. of the crushed sugared mint. Add several ice cubes and pour in the ginger ale. Add a splash of bourbon to each glass. Serves 8 to 10.
POMEGRANATE CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
• 1 fl. oz. pomegranate juice
• 1/2 fl. oz. Grand Marnier
• Sparkling wine
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Pour the pomegranate juice and Grand Marnier into a Champagne glass or flute. Top with sparkling wine and add a few pomegranate seeds. Serves 1.
APPLE-CRANBERRY HOT CIDER
• 32 ounces apple juice
• 3 cups of cranberry juice
• 2 cups of sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup rum
Pour all ingredients into saucepan except for rum. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rum and serve. Serves 12 to 15.
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mm these all sound so good! I'd love to try making the apple-cranberry hot cider!
Thanks, Sara! I imagine the cider would make any kitchen smell ah-maz-ing.
Mmmm that apple one sounds so delish! Thanks for sharing these recipes!
Glad to hear, Niki! Thanks for stopping by!
Yummy that cranberry martini sounds fabulous! So many of these drinks would transition well to other holiday parties too!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
You're so right, Alex! I'll totally keep these around throughout the season 🙂
these are so pretty, thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Vett! xo
Cute blog 🙂 The hot cider sounds delishhh
xx Kelsey – tortoiseinthesun.com
Thanks, Kelsey – glad you stopped by!
In my country we don´t celebrate thanksgiving, but I will have to throw a party or something to try them 😉
xo
Love that, Marta! Wishing you a wonderful weekend. xo
luv luv luv… going to mull over making this mulled apple cider for my holiday party tomorrow…. so excited! you are the best!!! ill pass on the cranberry though too tart!