Thanksgiving Cocktails

SherriDevine

Posted: Nov 14, 07 12:06am

I was assigned the enviable task of selecting and taste-testing several cocktails that will hopefully add to the Thanksgiving holiday spirit (or taking one for the team, as my buddy Jeff says). It turned out to be a bit of a Lost Weekend, but I couldn't exactly give out drink recommendations without tasting them myself, now could I?

Cranberry Margaritas
1 1/4 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh-frozen cranberries, rinsed
3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
3/4 cup tequila
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
Ice

Pour half of the mixture into a blender and fill the rest with ice. Blend. Repeat with second half of mixture. Makes two blender batches.

Number of testers: 6 | Consensus: DE-LISH!

As written, I could safely serve this one to my mother, who drinks very little, or to my teetotaler sister. It comes out in a beautiful shade of red and three of my testers who said they never drink margaritas, loved them.

Serving Suggestion: I would add some cranberries on top for garnish, and, because I like to taste the tequila in a margarita, I'd up the amount of alcohol.

The Maple Leaf Martini
1 oz. orange vodka
1/2 oz. vanilla vodka
1/2 oz. Cointreau
splash of orange juice
tad of cream

Shake and served chilled with an orange slice.

Number of testers: 2 | Consensus: LETHAL

Be very afraid. I thought the name of this drink might have to do with the color of changing maple leaves, but alas, no. The color is a frothy pale yellow and what makes it lethal is it tastes just like a creamsicle. They go down a little too easy and literally knocked me out.

Serving Suggestion: If you have some nasty relative showing up for dinner, this drink is a must. Guaranteed to render unconscious the most obnoxious aunts and uncles. For people you actually like: don't let them have more than one.

The Nevada Mojito
This little gem was created by a bartender at the Satellite Bar, here in Reno, NV. Now I can't give you the precise pour, or should I say our lovely bartender Brook didn't feel comfortable giving us the precise pour, but you can get the gist:

In a pint glass, put a little bit of ice, 10 or so leaves of fresh culinary sage, and the squeeze of half a lime. Now make a muddle. Fill the rest of the glass with ice, add soda water and Bombay Sapphire gin in fairly equal proportions, then top with a splash of blueberry juice. Shake or stir, depending on your mood or the bar equipment available.

Number of testers: 4 | Consensus: REALLY TASTY

I feel I should mention that I never drink gin; have never been able to stand even the smell of it, but I ordered this thinking the booze element would be the traditional Mojito rum. While smacking my lips and saying, "Oh my, is this good. . ." I learned the truth, and still loved it. Must be the sage that gives this cocktail a completely different twist.

Serving Suggestion: I'd add an entire branch of sage for garnish, but otherwise wouldn't change a thing.

Special Thanks: To TBD members jeffbrooke, Karen, and capned for allowing me to use them as lab rats in these experiments with alcohol.

Have suggestions of your own for serving up Thanksgiving cheer? Maybe the correct beer to serve with turkey? Tell us about it.