The fourth Thursday in November is a celebration time, for it is time to thank the Almighty for the bountiful harvest. For some, it is about thanking the Almighty for guiding them safely into the New World. The Thanksgiving celebration lasts for three days, which has feasting as the highlight. All of us are aware, it is the turkey, which takes center stage in these celebrations. However, for most of us, it is not the planning of menu that is a problem, as much it is the planning of drinks for the celebration. Beer, wine, cocktail and tea (for people who don't drink alcohol) are some of the beverages, which are a part of Thanksgiving meal. Of all the beverages, it is the cocktail, which can be the real test. However, with some planning, you will be able to have a few interesting cocktails for the party.
Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes
Thanksgiving is a day, which is spent with family and friends over food and drinks. Hence, it is one of the perfect days to make cocktails, so that the day can be spent sipping on cocktails and exchanging some 'notes'. Stuffing, mashed potatoes and turkey make up the Thanksgiving meal for most of us. However, Thanksgiving meals may not necessarily comprise only of turkey. For some, the meals may consist of seafood like clams, mussels, lobsters, eels, cod fish, etc., while for others the birds like ducks, swans or geese make up the Thanksgiving meal. The vegans and the vegetarians will however stick to vegetables like pumpkin (with Halloween just passed by), peas, corn, beetroot, etc. For meals without turkey, here are some cocktails, which you can make use of. Just a tip before we turn our attention to the
cocktails. It is recommended, that you make the cocktails in batches for the crowd, so that they retain the best of the flavors.
Ingredients:
- Cream Liqueur ½ fl. oz.
- Pumpkin Puree 1 fl. oz.
- Vanilla Vodka 2 fl. oz.
- Whipped Cream 1 tsp.
- Ice cubes
- A dash of Cinnamon Powder for garnishing
- Cinnamon Stick for garnishing
|
|
Method:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine vanilla vodka, cream liqueur, purée and ice cubes and shake well.
- In a cocktail glass strain the cocktail and top it with whipped cream and cinnamon stick. Sprinkle the cinnamon powder on top.
Page 1 |
White Wine - Orange Cocktail
|
Ingredients:
- Sparkling White Wine 4 fl. oz.
- Orange Liqueur ½ fl. oz.
- Cranberry Juice 2 fl. oz.
- Fresh Cranberry to garnish
- Fresh Orange
- Ice Cubes
|
|
Method:
- In the cocktail glass pour cranberry juice.
- On top of the cranberry juice, pour sparkling white wine. The last layer has to be that of orange liqueur.
- Garnish with cranberry and orange.
Page 2 |
Ingredients:
- Malibu Rum 1 fl. oz.
- Pumpkin Pie Filling ¾ fl. oz.
- Cold Milk 2 fl. oz.
- Kahlua ½ fl. oz.
- Ice Cubes
- Cinnamon Powder for garnishing
- Graham Crackers for rimming the glasses
|
|
Method:
- Blend pumpkin pie filling, cold milk and Kahlua together in a blender along with ice.
- Add rum to the mixture and blend again.
- Rim the glasses with powdered crackers.
- Strain and pour the cocktail in the rimmed glasses and garnish with cinnamon powder.
Page 3 |
Drinks that Go Well With Turkey
If turkey is going to be a part of the menu, then it is necessary, that there are cocktails which go well with turkey. A lot of people will wonder, if there are certain specific cocktails that taste fine with turkey. Yes indeed! There are certain cocktails, which enhance the taste of turkey. Let's have a look at such cocktails.
Ingredients:
- Kahlua 1 shot
- Bailey's Irish Cream 1 shot
- White Tequila 1 shot
- Ice Cubes
- Lime Wedge for garnishing
|
|
Method:
- Pour Kahlua in the cocktail glass, followed by Bailey's using the back of the spoon.
- Pour white tequila into the glass and set it on fire for 5 seconds and drink immediately.
Page 4 |
Ingredients:
- Bourbon 1 liter
- Red Wine 1/2 liter
- Dark Rum 8 fl. oz.
- Gin 5 fl. oz.
- Apricot Brandy 5 fl. oz.
- Black Tea 1/2 liter
- Lemon Juice 2 shots
- Sugar syrup 2 shots
- Ice Cubes
|
|
Method:
- In a container mix bourbon, red wine, dark rum along with cooled black tea and place the container in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- In another container combine gin and apricot brandy and keep in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Combine all the ingredients well.
- Pour the cocktail, over ice in the glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Page 5 |
Ingredients:
- Spiced Rum 3/4 cup
- Honey 1/4 cup
- Butter at room temperature 1 stick
- Dark Brown Sugar 2/3 cup
- Ground Cinnamon 1/2 tsp.
- Ground Nutmeg 1/4 tsp.
- Ground Clove 1/8 tsp.
- Boiling Water 2 cups
- A pinch of salt
- Cinnamon Sticks for garnishing 4
|
|
Method:
- Beat brown sugar along with butter and honey together, till there are no traces of sugar using an electric blender. Add cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, powdered cloves to the mixture and beat well again.
- Remove the mixture in a container and add rum and boiling water and continue to mix well, till the mixture is well blended. Garnish with cinnamon stick and serve hot.
Page 6 |
These were some of the cocktails from my cookbook. Along with the cocktails mentioned above, the other cocktails, which can be a part of the menu include Paloma, Daiquiri, Bloody Mary, Mudslide, Apple Martini, etc. The best cocktail to go with the Thanksgiving meal will depend on the menu for the day. The seasoning which was used to make the meat will also have a role to play, while deciding the right cocktail for the day. Now that you have a wide variety, you can go ahead and decide the right beverage to be served at the meal. Have fun!
