Thanksgiving is quite the extravaganza for most households. Some of you guys seriously go all out! It’s no easy task to entertain ten, twenty, or even thirty guests, but we know you’re up for the challenge. We also know that the easiest way to impress your guests is by putting a drink or two… or three in their hands, so we thought we would help you out and give you our simple Thanksgiving drink guide. With these tips, everything you make will taste good… or at least your guests will be too tipsy to know otherwise!
Pre Dinner Cocktails
When your guests start to trickle in while your meal is still cooking, your first step should be getting a drink in their hands! But with all the commotion in the kitchen, simple cocktails are the way to go.
One of the easiest seasonal cocktails out there is a pomegranate prosecco spritzer. It’s really quite simple: fill a glass with 2 to 3 parts prosecco to every one part pomegranate liqueur. If you are in a hurry, feel free to stop there, but for presentation and freshness, we prefer to add some fresh pomegranate seeds on top, to add a layer of crunch and flavor. Serve in a champagne flute and enjoy!
For those who prefer a stronger drink with a whiskey base, look no further than the apple-pie spiced cider. Simply mix 3 parts store-bought cider with one part rye whiskey. From there, feel free to add whichever spices you like to taste. We tend to stick to store-bought pumpkin pie spice for peace of mind. Adding a garnish, such as a half of a cinnamon stick, to each beverage will impress guests and add another level of flavor to the drink. This can be served hot or cold, so wherever you are in the world, your guests are sure to enjoy this recipe!
The Main Course
A couple of hours and a couple of drinks later once the turkey is ready to serve, you’re probably going to turn to wine and/or beer. Before everyone sits, get a headcount of who wants wine and who wants beer, and place wine glasses or beer glasses around the table accordingly. Place some glass markers on the table for kids to play with, and feel free to mark names on glasses throughout the meal to avoid mixing up drinks.
We like to have an option for both white wine and red wine lovers, so it is probably best to keep a Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc on hand. Pinot Noirs have lower levels of tannin in the wine, which allow it to pair well with many different tastes, from turkey to all of the sides and fixings. Sauvignon Blanc wines tend to have an earthier taste compared to other white wines, which will pair well with the herbs and spices in the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. But when it comes down to it, after a couple of drinks, most people will be happy with any wine, so be sure to have enough ready to serve!
When it comes to beer, stronger brews tend to suit Thanksgiving meals best. Since there are so many dishes and sides, and so many different flavors all piled onto one plate, the beer needs a strong flavor that doesn't get lost among the food. With the craft beer industry booming, there are some great IPAs to try out. Brown and amber ales also are sure to please. At its simplest: get something with a bold flavor that will keep the other flavors grounded. I think there might be an amazing Boston Lager out there named after one of our founding fathers, wink wink, that sounds appropriate.
Time for Dessert
Once you’re finished and all your guests are moaning about how full they are, it’s time to hit them with the final course: dessert. By this time, most of your guests have probably stopped drinking and need some sort of pick up. The simplest choice is to offer espresso to each of your guests. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, serving an affogato is a great way to combine a caffeinated espresso with a sweet treat! Just drown a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a couple shots of espresso and serve. Your guests will be impressed and it is such a simple way to finish off the meal!
Don’t have an espresso machine at home? Topping the ice cream with cappuccino is an easy replacement that is more festive than using standard black coffee. Simply make a pot of coffee and put that off to the side. To create the foam, we recommend frothing whole milk to create the smoothest bubbles. Top your coffee with the foam, and then pour it onto your ice cream. This method doesn’t have as strong of a coffee flavor, but will be even creamier than your standard affogato!
With this assortment of simple drinks, you’re sure to impress your guests and get them giggly! Make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, as we will be making these drinks and giving Thanksgiving tips using the stories feature. We’re also doing a giveaway on these platforms, so be on the lookout to enter to win an assortment of free products! Thanks for reading, and have a happy Thanksgiving!