Thanksgiving Weekend Cocktail Guide!
Starting from top left and going clockwise: Sparkling Pear & Rosemary Punch, Mulled Cider, Port of Call, and Harvest Sour.
Season's greetings and happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I’ve been working feverishly to get this last batch of recipes out by turkey day (please excuse any typos that follow). I know most of you have likely already made cocktail plans, well done for being organized. Even still, here are some new recipes and ideas for today's holiday weekend, and those to come.
I'm perhaps the most excited about the Harvest Sour, which I'll be making this weekend. It's basically a Whiskey Sour with cinnamon and ginger syrup, they give the drink a warm spiciness that’s irresistible.
Additionally, each of those syrups now have their recipe page, check it out: cinnamon syrup page, ginger syrup page. What's more, I’ve added a new ginger syrup recipe which doesn’t require a juicer, just a blender. So it’s much easier to make! These syrups can be swapped into just about any recipe in place of simple syrup to give it a holiday boost. For example, French 75s are great with cinnamon syrup. You can also use honey or maple syrup as an alternative sweetener.
The other new cocktail I’ve added is the Sparkling Pear and Rosemary Punch which is exactly what it sounds like. Pear brandy, rosemary syrup, lemon juice and Champagne. This is a great punch for holiday gatherings that, for once, doesn’t feature sweet baking spices. I made this for Thanksgiving a few years ago and it was a huge hit (particularly with me, I had way too much).
A few other ideas that are apropos for the holiday are last week’s cocktail, the Port of Call. You can use leftover cranberry preserves, a some of the port that was opened for dessert. Or go the hot drink route, which is always a crowdpleaser, and make a batch of Mulled Cider or Mulled Wine. Both are excellent for serving the masses, and Mulled Cider can be served spiked or not (or people can do it themselves), so it can cater to those who aren’t partaking. Plus, they make the house smell amazing.
Or blaze your own trail and pick any cocktail recipe you like, whether it’s from Social Hour or elsewhere, and convert it into a punch. Just follow the easy steps laid out on the Batching page.
If you makes a recipe from the site this weekend please feel free to tag it on Instagram with @socialhourcocktails. I love seeing the cocktails out in the wild.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I’m thankful for many things this year, not the least of which is getting to share my passion with all of you. Thank you for your continued support of Social Hour. All the very best to you and yours.
Cheers, and happy mixing! Tom