Thanksgiving Party Drinks

Thanksgiving is the holiday that sets off the wintertime holiday season, and the Christmas rush to get presents, food, and everything else people need to get through to January. For those throwing parties for friends and/or family, here are some themed cocktails sure to amuse your guests.

If Tom the Turkey doesn't bring Thanksgiving thoughts to mind, I don't know what does. Eith a bottle of Wild Turkey, these creations become possible.

Turkey Trot

2 cups Cranberry juice
2 cups 7-Up
1 cup Wild Turkey

Mix with a stirrer in a pitcher then pour over ice into glasses.

Turkeyball

1 oz Wild Turkey
3/4 oz Amaretto
1 splash Pineapple juice

Shake with ice and strain into a shot glass.

Almost as synonymous with the holiday is cranberry sauce with your turkey! So here are some Cranberry drinks. The Cordial will take prep time though - 6 weeks!

Cranberry Cordial

1/2 kg coarsely chopped Cranberries
3/4 L Sugar
1/2 L Light rum

Place the chopped cranberries in a 2 liter jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Add the sugar and rum. Adjust the lid securely and place the jar in a cool, dark place. Invert the jar and shake it every day for six weeks. Strain the cordial into bottles and seal with corks.

Crantini

1 1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Triple sec
1/2 oz Vermouth
4 oz Cranberry juice
Ice cubes
Cranberries (optional)

Add all the ingredients in a martini shaker with ice. Then shake,pour into martini glass and add a few cranberries to complete the drink.(Soak the cranberries in vodka first)

Even in mid-September, pumpkins are being used as decorations. Pumpkin pie is a favorite Thanksgiving dessert, and these won't leave you disappointed.

Pumpkin Eater

1 1/2 oz Light rum
1 oz Orange Curacao
1/2 oz Triple sec
1 oz Orange juice
1/2 oz Cream

Add ice and ingredients into blender and blend well. Serve in a house glass and garnish with a orange wedge and cherry.

Pumpkin Pie

2 parts Kahlua
1 part Bailey's Irish cream
1 part Goldschlager
Cinnamon

After adding the Goldschlager, set on fire. Sprinkle cinnamon on the flame to "cook" and for dramatic effect. Blow out and serve.

And for the general Thanksgiving drinks, try the following.

Thanksgiving Cocktail

1 1/2 oz Wild Turkey
1/2 oz Applejack
1 tsp Rose's sweetened lime juice
4 oz Cranberry juice

Fill glass one-half full of ice, add ingredients and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired

Thanksgiving Special

3/4 oz Apricot brandy
3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz Gin
1/4 tsp Lemon juice
1 Cherry

Shake all ingredients (except cherry) with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with the cherry and serve.

Holiday Cheer

1 bottle Champagne
1 can frozen Cranberry juice
1 Lime

Mix champagne and frozen cranberry juice (undiluted). Slice lime and garnish each wine glass. Serve with breakfast to start the day right. Note: Mix right before serving to retain the bubbles. Yo may use non-alcoholic champagne.

Sunny Holiday Punch

46 oz chilled Pineapple juice
28 oz Club soda (or mineral water), chilled
6 oz frozen Orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 Lemon or lime, thinly sliced
2 cups Berries, fresh or frozen
1 bottle Champagne (or 7-Up), chilled

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl.

Maybe you'd prefer something warm for dessert, though. In Maine, where we oftentimes have snow for Thanksgiving, warmth is just the ticket when you come in from the cold. Here are a couple drinks that are served hot.

Hot Apple Pie

1 1/2 oz Tuaca
6 oz Apple cider

Mix Tuaca and Cider in a large microwavable mug. Heat on high for 2 1/2 minutes. stir again, and enjoy!!!

Hot Buttered Rum

1 lb Brown sugar
1/2 lb salted Butter
1 tsp each ground Nutmeg, ground Cinnamon, ground Cloves, ground White Cardamom, vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or mixer and store in the fridge or freezer. To make a drink add a shot of good dark rum along with 1 or 2 tbl spoons of batter to a mug of very hot water. Serve in Irish coffee cup.