Tomorrow is going to be a big day. We hope you've got your menu of Thanksgiving dishes finalized, but have you considered what you'll be drinking? The beverages are just as important as the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, and more importantly keep your adult guests spirited and happy throughout the whole meal.
Fear not! We've got you covered with an all-day Thanksgiving cocktail schedule.
Begin the morning with a warm and invigorating Irish Coffee. Our truly delicious recipe will give you a jolt of caffeine with a bit of sweetness, which will help you jump into action.
As guests start to arrive, you'll want to get everybody's appetite stimulated -- after all, everything tastes better when you're hungry! The perfect aperitif is another classic, the bracing Negroni. For a big group, dig out a large bowl, swap the standard gin for some sparkling wine and turn it into a Negroni Sbagliato punch.
With the meal itself, we suggest a cocktail that calls for red wine, which makes a great partner for creamy mashed potatoes, juicy turkey and tart cranberry sauce alike. The tasty Nouveau Sangaree is an old-timey spin on Sangria that utilizes Thanksgiving favorite Beaujolais nouveau (though you can use a different red).
If it's especially frigid out, try the simple and warming Last-Minute Mulled Wine. And for the kids and designated drivers, we have a couple of non-alcoholic drinks as sophisticated as any boozy concoction.
Should your Thanksgiving include latkes and soufganiyot -- in a rare calendar coincidence, Thursday is also the first full day of Chanukah -- we recommend the vodka, honey and citrus Holiday at the Hive.
Following the feast, stomach stuffed, you'll probably be dozing on the couch watching football. It's the ideal time for a digestif to aid digestion. The three-ingredient Fernando is a good bet, and is more enjoyable than Alka-Seltzer.
After the guests leave, with your late-night slice of leftover pie, have a nightcap. The rich rum-based Cruzan Flip pairs perfectly with baked goods.
Cheers, and happy Thanksgiving!